Irish dancers at St. Patrick's Day parade in Fort Collins, Colorado

Shramore Set, danced by "Cumann CÃ©ilÃ VÃn", Vienna, Austria

Irish step dancers from Scoil Rince na Connemara in Wilkes-Barre PA dance at the HUB, Penn State University

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Irish dances can broadly be divided into social dance and performance dances. Irish social dancing can be divided further into cÃ©ilÃ and set dancing. Irish set and cÃ©ilÃ dances are usually danced by formations (sets) of couples, often in squares of four couples. more...

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Irish social dance is a living tradition, and variations in particular dances are found across the Irish dance community; in some places, dances are deliberately modified and new dances are choreographed.

Irish performance dancing is traditionally referred to as stepdance. Irish stepdance, popularized in 1994 by the world-famous show "Riverdance," is notable for its rapid leg movements, body and arms being kept largely stationary. Most competitive stepdances are solo dances, though many stepdancers also perform and compete using traditional set and cÃ©ilÃ dances. The solo stepdance is generally characterized by a controlled but not rigid upper body, straight arms, and quick, precise movements of the feet.

The dancing traditions of Ireland probably grew in close association with Irish traditional music. Originating in Pre-Christian Ireland, Irish dance was later influenced by dance forms from the Continent, especially the Quadrille. Travelling dancing masters taught all over Ireland as late as the early 1900s.

Sean-nÃ³s Dancing

The tradition of step dancing in Ireland grew from an indigenous form of percussive dance that developed alongside traditional Irish music. The current incarnation of this tradition is known as sean-nÃ³s dancing (damhsa ar an sean-nÃ³s or rince sa sean-nÃ³s). The strongest tradition of sean-nÃ³s dancing persists in the Connemara Gaeltacht in the West of Ireland, although sean-nÃ³s dancers can be found throughout Ireland.

Sean-nÃ³s, which literally means 'old style' or 'old way' in the Irish language (Gaeilge), is a form of old-style solo step dancing. Characteristics of sean-nÃ³s dancing include percussive steps, relaxed arms and upper body, steps danced close to the floor, self-expression, improvisation, and an emphasis on the relationship between the steps and the music. Most sean-nÃ³s dancers prefer to dance to one musician. The melodeon or accordion is a popular choice for the accompaniment of sean-nÃ³s dance.

Sean-nÃ³s dancing is generally non-competitive, and sean-nÃ³s dancers can be found performing in homes, in pubs, and at cÃ©ilÃs. The largest gathering of sean-nÃ³s dancers occurs at An Oireachtas na Gaeilge, an annual festival which celebrates the Irish language (Gaeilge) and includes the most prestigious competitions in sean-nÃ³s dancing and sean-nÃ³s singing.

Sean-nÃ³s dancing has experienced a revival in the past ten years with increasing participation by people of all ages learning the steps through classes and workshops. Fledgling sean-nÃ³s dance communities are appearing outside of Ireland in the United States and Australia.