Figure 1.--

Irish step dances are relatively modern, creations of the dancing masters prevalent in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. That does not mean of course that there were no dance in Ireland earlier or that that these early dances did not influence what eventually evolved into step dancing in modern times. Not a great deal is known about the earliest Irish dances. The first dances often sited are those of the Celtic people and the Druid priests. Unlike Englabd, the Roman Empire and the Roman culture never crossed the Irish Sea. The next major influences seem to be the Normans who brought medieval French culture to Ireland. Much more is known about medieval dances it was a French-English import. It is only in the 19th centuries that we begin to find evidence of the the step dances that are today so regonizanle as Irish step dances.

Origins

While Irish dabcing is relatively modern, that does not mean of course that there were no dance in Ireland earlier or that that these early dances did not influence what eventually evolved into step dancing in modern times. Not a great deal is known about the earliest Irish dances. The first dances often sited are those of the Celtic people and the Druid priests. Unlike Englabd, the Roman Empire and the Roman culture never crossed the Irish Sea. The next major influences seem to be the Normans who brought medieval French culture to Ireland. Much more is known about medieval dances it was a French-English import.

Celts (1st cebtury BC)

Ireland likes to see its origins with the Celts, although they are simoly the last of many peoples which inhabited the island. They are, however, the only ancient people whose culture is known to some extent. The Celts arrived in Ireland from central Europe (about 100 BC). They once dominated much if Western and Central Europe, but were being presured by the Romans from the South and the Germans from the East. They brought with them as one aspect of their culture, folk dances. Traces of their circular dances survive in the modern ring dances. The Cektic priests were the Druids and they were known to dance as part of religious rituals. These rituals honored aspects of the natural world like the oak tree and the sun.

Celtic Christianity (4th century AD)

The Irish Celts remained pagan during the Roman era in Britain. Misionaries, most famously St. Patrick, covered the Irish (around 400 BC). The new Irish Christian priests adopted the the pagan style of ornamentation in illuminating their manuscripts, most famouly the Book of Kells. The peasants retained Celtic styles in their music and dancing.

The Normans (12th century)

After the Norman conquest of England (11th century), The Anglo-Norman conquest brought Norman customs and culture to Ireland (12th century). The Carol was introduced to Ireland. This was a popular Norman dance in which the leader sang to a circular group. A circle of dancers replied with the same song. This Norman dance was performed in towns throught thecarea conquered by the Normans.

Elizbethan England (16th century)

The English conquest of Irelabd vegan in earnest during the Elizabethan era (16th century). They include: the Irish Hey, the Rinnce Fada (long dance) and the Trenchmore. Perhaps the earliest references is a letter written by Sir Henry Sydney to Queen Elizabeth I (1569). "They are very beautiful, magnificently dressed and first class dancers." He was describing girls he observed dancing enthusiastic Irish jigs in Galway. He wrote in some detail, describing dancers in two straight lines which appears to be an early description of what becane the long dance. Dances were performed in the great halls of the new castles the English buil throughout the Pale. The English brought their culture to Englsnd, but also took Irish culture or English adaptations back to England, including the court of Queen Elizabeth. . One of the most popular dances was the Trenchmore, which was an English adaptation of an traditional Irish peasant dance. Another Irish dance brought to England was the Hey. This involved female dancers winding in around their partners. It is believed to beca fore-runner of the modern reel.

The Stuarts (17th century)

When importanht persinages arrived in Ireland, they were traditiojally greeted by enthusiastic young women performing their native dances. The deposed King James landed at Kinsale, County Cork in an effort to regain his throne (1689). He was welcomed by dancers. Reports indicate that three people stood abreast, each holding ends of a white handkerchief. They then advanced to slow music and were followed by dancing couples, each couple holding a handkerchief between them. The tempo of the music slowly increased and the dancers then performed a variety of lively figures. Irish dancing was accompanied by music, notably the bagpipe and the harp. It was an importaht part of entertainment in the country houses of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy. The master of the house not uncommonly joined with servants and retauners in some of the dances. Dancing at thectime was often a part of wakes. The mourners would form a ring around the coffin to bagpipe music.

Modern Development

Irish step dances are relatively modern, creations of the dancing masters prevalent in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries.

18th century

It was during the 18th century that the dabncing master appeared in Ireland. "... almost all references to Irish dances in literature, down to the beginning of the eighteenth century, deal only with Round and Long dances, and ... there is a marked absence of any indication of the existence of the dancing-master until about the same time." The intricate steps were invented by the dancing masters, who elaborated on the simple steps of Round and Long dances.

19th century

Irish dancing throughout the 19th century rather informal. We note a genre painting by Trevor Flower of tennagers dancing as a crossroads somewhere in Ireland (1830-40s). They are just enjoying themselves. They seem to be making some use of their arms which is not allowed in modern Irish dance. We are not sure when competitive fabcing began, presumably in the 20th century.

20th century

Ireland after Wirld War I achieved its independence (1921). The new Republican Government as a matter of national policy sought to promote Irish culture which they felt, with some validity, had been suppressed by the English. This included even attempts to revive the Irish language which was then only spoken in remote rural areas. Thus all areas of traditional culture, including dance and music benefited from Government support. Irish dance developed during the inter-war years (1919-39), but began to become increasingly popular after World War II. The rising income levels provided more leisure time for a widening sector of the population. The increasingly economically successful Irish in America began to take more interest in their heritage and one expression of this was Irish dance and music. This was a particularly important development as 30 million Americans identify themselves as Irish-American, ten times the population of the the Republic. One Irish contributor to HBC reports that his dance teacher began dancing in the 1940s. She says she has been dancing since she was a young girl. Her house is filled with medals and prizes. Apparently Irish dance became very popular in the 1960s and 70s. Our Irish contributor remembers seeing pictures of his older cousins (boys and girls) dancing. It was the "done thing" back then to learn Irish dancing and a musical instrument. The costumes were simpler and less frequent costume changes.

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Created: 9:52 AM 7/10/2013
Last updated: 9:52 AM 7/10/2013