These dances are generally NOT included in the ATBDS repertoire but are included on our website to acknowledge our broader dance heritage.
| Sean Nós (i.e. Old Style) Step Dancing
Emma O’Sullivan dancing in the street
Emma O’Sullivan’s brief history of the genre plus a dance
Sean Nós Northwest 2010
Dancing in the bar, Doonmore Hotel, Inishbofin Island
The Cunningham Sound live in Galway in 2009
And if you would like to try it yourself, Emma O’Sullivan’s beginner’s lesson is excellent!
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A form of solo step dancing strongly associated with the Connemara region of County Galway, it is seen here in a variety of contexts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iOmxseNU5I [3 mins]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lKsfLpwqoc [7 mins]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ9eF_h-rMc [8 mins]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hGxR9AVIKU [4 mins]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chXsjf1pA1k [6 mins]
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| Ceili Dancing
The word Ceili [pronounced kay-lee] has changed its meaning over time. Originally a gathering for fun and fellowship, which could include dancing, it has come to be applied only to dances.
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Some ceili dances are included in the Celtic Music Club’s (http://cmcadelaide.com) regular 3rd Saturday of the month Bush Dances at the Irish Hall, 13-15 Carrington St, Adelaide. They include the Haymakers Jig, Rakes of Mallow, Siege of Ennis and Waves of Tory.
Here’s an example of another, the Walls of Limerick, from a Melbourne Colonial Dancers Summer Ball in 2016 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiDjghqtbao
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| Brush / Broom Dancing
Darragh O’Donnell at the 2016 Dan Paddy Andy Festival, Lyreacrompane
Irene Cunningham and her student at Clifden in 2010
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Prepare to be swept away by the timing and precision required in this form of step dance …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQEjU36p1WI [2 mins]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5gPYO_Nid4 [3 mins]
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| Set Dancing
For examples of set dances on Youtube see the relevant section on this page of our website – http://www.atbdsdancesa.com.au/history-2/histories-of-specific-dance-types/ |
This is a separate area of Irish dancing culture which, contrary to step dancing as we know it from various dance shows, has a significantly social character. Set dancing is hardly ever presented on stages but it is in integral part of life in Irish pubs and a significant phenomenon of Irish social life. There are no generational limits. Therefore one can find almost all mobile age groups among the dancers. It is not necessary to be young, talented or to have some special physical dispositions in order to practise set dancing. Experts, beginners, children and adults can meet in one set and all enjoy the dancing and the music. – The opening paragraph of ‘Irish Set Dancing – history and present’. (accessed 9.5.21) https://www.bernards.cz/english/irish-set-dancing-history-and-present/ Note that the above website is in the Czech Republic, an indication of the popularity of this form of dance in many countries since the advent of the set dancing revival in the 1970s. See also the relevant section of this page of our website – http://www.atbdsdancesa.com.au/tips-for-dancers-2/why-dance/ |
| The Riverdance phenomenon
The genesis of Riverdance was as the interval entertainment at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin, 30 April 1994. The stereotypical view of step dancing requiring arms to be held stiffly alongside the body was blown away.
When Pope Francis visited Dublin in 2018, Riverdance cast members were joined by 500 dancers from across Ireland for this short performance. The fine camera work does it full justice.
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On April 30th 1994 something happened during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest that was to lead to the creation of one of the most successful stage shows of all time and introduce the wider world to Irish dance and music. As votes were being counted around Europe, in Dublin in the Point Theatre (now the O2), RIVERDANCE burst onto the stage and took the audience by complete surprise. From the haunting vocals of anúna, the graceful elegance of Jean Butler, the explosive arrival of Michael Flatley and culminating in a long line of Irish dancers beating the stage in perfect heart-stopping harmony – a whole new genre of entertainment was born and 20 years and 25 million audience members later – Riverdance still astonishes globally. – An extract from the website published for the 20th birthday in 2014 that includes the 30 April 1994 performance – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0v_pu6miJ8 [8 mins]
It was soon developed into a much longer stage show – Riverdance. A 1995 performance is available here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9KkbU4yStM [71 mins]
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| Where to next? | A youthful vision – Cairde in 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvC5LZ-OGMI |
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