History of the dance
from a traditional art form to a worldwide phenomenon.
The success of Riverdance undoubtedly boosted its prominence — but even before Michael Flatley exhibited his skills to a worldwide audience hundreds of thousands of people across the globe were already involved in Irish dancing competitions.
Combining artistry, grace and physical ability Irish dancing is one of the purest forms of physical expression.
Now, schools and competitions are established in scores of countries across the world — from America to Australia, Britain to New Zealand.
The first Feisianna are believed to date from the time of the Irish king Brian Boru. They were a combination trade fair, political gathering, and cultural event with music, sporting events, storytelling, and crafts.
But over time the cultural aspect came to dominate feisianna. And while the politics may have disappeared the events continue to have music, dance, crafts, and trade.
History records a variety of dances done by the Irish in the mid-1500s. These include Rinnce Fada or Fading where two lines with partners faced each other, Irish Hey (possibly a round or figure dance), jigs (likely in a group), Trenchmores (described as a big free form country dance), and sword dances.
It is not clear whose dances influenced whom among the Irish, English, and French, but it was characteristic that Irish dances had a faster tempo and included side steps.
Despite English suppression of Irish culture the tradition continued — and Queen Elizabeth I was said to be exceedingly pleased with Irish tunes and country dances.
Condemnations of traditional dancing from British politicians — and even the church — failed to dim its appeal and it became a key feature of weddings, christenings, and wakes
A major influence on Irish dance and Irish culture was the advent of the Dance Masters around 1750. A dance master typically travelled within a county, stopping for about six weeks in a village and staying with a hospitable family — who were honoured by their selection as host. They taught Irish dancing in kitchens, farm outbuildings, crossroads, or hedge schools.
Students would first learn the jig and reel and sometimes the teacher had to tie a rope around a student’s leg to distinguish right foot from left.
Each dance master had a repertoire of dance steps and he created new steps over time. These men were the creators of the set and céilí dances and they carefully guarded their art of step creation. Dance masters created the first schools of dancing — the best known being from counties Kerry, Cork, and Limerick.
In 1929, the Irish Dancing Commission (An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha) was formed to establish rules regarding teaching, judging, and competitions and helped standardise competitions.
Since then Irish dance has evolved in terms of locations, costumes, and dance technique.
Embroidery was relatively minimal on costumes in the early 1900s. However, it has steadily increased in use and complexity. Designs were originally of traditional Irish origin, obtained from the Book of Kells, Irish stone crosses, and chalices. The interlocking and continuous lines in the pattern on the costume symbolise the continuity of life and mankind’s eternity. Designers are now introducing modern interpretations and patterns as well as silver and gold thread in the embroidery.
Soft shoes were introduced around 1924 for girls dancing reels, jigs, and slip jigs and hard shoes have also evolved in style and technology.
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