Irish Step Dance History

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Irish Step Dancing: History and The Dance Master
Irish Step Dancing is a world dance form which is very diverse. It can be performed either solo or in a group with in two different styles: hard shoe or soft shoe. Within each of these styles there are multiple substyles of dance. For example, a person who was doing hard shoe step dancing could perform a hornpipe dance, a treble jig, or a traditional set, while a soft shoe dancer(s) would be performing a reel, slip jig, light jig, or a group dance of more than two people. (O’Keefe XXI) Within each of these dances, there consists an ever developing number of steps. Outside of traditional dances like the Riverdance or St. Patrick’s Day, Irish step-dance varies between every school it is taught …show more content…
A defining part of being an Irish step dance is a concentration on the legs and feet moving quickly, while having an upright torso with minimal arm movements. Outside of the basics, the movements vary wildly between the different practices. Three popular practices are the Molyneaux step dancing of North Kerry, the competition format from the Irish Dancing Commission, and the theatrical representation in Siamsa Tire (Long). Each of these practices tend to vary from one school to another. This unique choreography is such an essential component of Irish step dance that the Irish Dance Commission forbids the filming or recording of tournaments. One of the major adaptations for modern times, is teaching women dances equally to men, rather than in the early days when only men would perform dances like the hornpipe (O’Keeffe 77). Another difference between the old dances and the new ones, is a change in the fluid motion of female steps when a male is performing them. Together these two changes made Irish step dancing much more inclusive, without losing its Irish step …show more content…
As they traveled throughout Ireland and into other countries, they helped to spread culture and make people more open to one another. The also stimulated the economy by being paid for their teaching abilities and providing skills which were otherwise not found in remote villages where the dance masters would travel. Because the dance masters were academically trained, they were able to provide insight and education to those who they taught. They would help children to become more culturally aware, to improve their language abilities, and also provided them physical activity to keep them in shape and out of trouble. The Christian church was also very present in society at this time and it is reflected in Irish step dancing. Some historians believe that the lack of arm movements was designed by church minded people in order to make the dances be less provocative. These traditions were respected by the dance masters are they spread their teachings around the
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