Many people around the world know of Irish dance through Riverdance which was first performed on April 30th 1994 during the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest where it received a standing ovation. Since then, the show has toured around 30 countries on four continents and been seen live by over 15 million people. Billions more have witnessed the show on TV. The Riverdance Company has also brought the show to China in 2004 and early 2010.

Riverdance: Abhann Productions Ltd.www.riverdance.com. Photo: Jack Hartin

The tradition of dance in Ireland has grown over many hundreds of years in close association with Irish traditional music with its unique sounds and rhythms – and it is still evolving. In times past, dance masters used to travel the countryside teaching the latest steps which were often adapted from popular dances on the Continent. There are broadly 3 forms of Irish dance, with many variants within each form. The first is the solo dance, in which a dancer wearing either soft or hard-soled shoes (which are similar to tap-dance shoes) performs complex steps with their arms close by their side. The "old style" sean nós form of solo dance began to evolve from the 1950s onwards, with more flamboyant kicks, turns and travelling steps.

 

 

The second is the lively Irish "set dance" which is usually performed by four couples using fast, percussive foot movements. The set dance was influenced particularly by the Quadrille, a square dance of French origin popular in the early 19th century. The third form is the céilí dance in which large groups dance together in round dances or progressive line dances.

Ireland has a thriving contemporary dance scene too in which Riverdance stars Jean Butler and Colin Dunne now take part.

Dance Ireland http://www.danceireland.ie

Riverdance http://www.riverdance.com