Irish Dance

Ireland has a strong dance tradition dating as far back as the 15th Century. It, together with native music was the focal point of community gatherings down through the ages. The most popular of the Irish dances are the Jig and the Reel with many involving both solo and group dancing.

From 1829 the 'Dance Master' came into existence. He was a wondering dancing teacher, who travelled from village to village teaching dances to children. These Dance Masters existed in rural Ireland right up to the early 20th Century, but gradually were replaced by the dance schools that we have today.



Soft shoes were worn for jigs and reels and then hard tap shoes were used for Set Dances and 'heavy jigs' etc.

The costumes worn by the dancers are as important as the dance itself. Each Irish Dance school has its own distinct costume and most of the dresses are adorned by embroidery designs inspired by the Book of Kells

One of my earliest childhood memories was going to dancing lessons. I was part of Mrs Tennants Dance Class in Ballymoney. We wore blue dresses for team dancing and I had a white one for solos.

Here is a great sample of solo, group, light and heavy jigs, reels and the very modern.