Irish Dancing
We have a small dancing group who have learned some tradional forms of Irish dance, most notably set dancing and some ceili dances.
Set dance takes its form from dances which were fashionable during the late 18th century in Europe. When brought to Ireland by the returning soldiers of the Napoleonic wars, the Irish put their own spin on the dances whilst retaining the forms and sometimes the names, but combining these elements with much more lively music and steps. Through some set dances, the form of the fashionable dances of Europe from this period have been preserved.
CEILI meaning together or meeting and are usually performed with many people together in dance halls. The forms were based on folk dances which were themselves based on local agricultural traditions of reaping and harvesting. The first is called the "Walls of Limerick" and shows in simple dance the movement of the attack and retreat of an invading force on Limerick City by the English in 17th century but is likely to have its roots in early folk dance forms.
Dancing is a tremendously enlivening activity not only for the body physcially but also for its ability to break down barriers between people. Our dancing sessions are constantly full of laughter and fun. At this point, dancing classes are only available to members of the school only.
