The Story of Irish DanceFrom early accounts of dance customs in medieval Ireland to the present, Helen Brennan offers an authoritative look at the evolution of Irish dance. Every type of dance from social to traditional to clergy is included. Brennan takes care to explain the different styles and traditions that evolved from different parts of Ireland; which results in some lively discussions as people reminisce over old favorites. She also discusses how dance evolved to become such an important part of Ireland's culture and history. An appendix is offered to help explain the various steps involved in each style of dance including the Munster or Southern style, Single Shuffle, Double Shuffle, Treble Shuffle, the Heel Plant, the Cut, the Rock or Puzzle, the Drum, the Sean Nos Dance Style of Connemara, and the Northern Style. |
Contents
Introduction | 9 |
The History of Dance in Earlier Times | 15 |
The Fleshpots of Egypt and Gaelic Mayo Dance and the Gaelic League | 29 |
Learning to Dance | 45 |
Step Dance in the Irish Tradition | 63 |
That You May Live Till the Skin of a Gooseberry Makes a Coffin for You | 73 |
Social Dance in Ireland | 89 |
Gambles Prinkums and Biddy Balls Traditional Dance Occasions | 103 |
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Common terms and phrases
ball ballroom bars boys Breandán called céilí Coimisiún coll Connemara Cork country dance County Cavan County Clare County Kerry County Meath couple dances damhsa dance occasions dance style dance teacher dancing competition dancing master Donegal Donncha double jig Dublin eight-hand reel feet Fermanagh fiddler floor Gaelic League Gaeltacht Galway girls group dances Halpin heel hornpipe house dances Ibid Irish dancing Irish Folklore Commission James Argue Jimmy Johnny known late left foot Limerick London Miltown Malbay modern dancing school movement Murphy musician night nineteenth century Oireachtas older organised performance piper played Pléaráca polka popular priest pupils quadrilles repertoire right foot rince Riverdance rural Ireland says Scottish Séamus Séamus Ennis sean-nós sean-nós dancing sean-nós style set dance shoes side step social solo dance step dancer step dancing step elements style of dancing taught tempo told traditional dance tune waltz Willie women young