Form, Posture, and Technique

Tall and straight my father taught me, this is how we dance.

What, exactly, is Irish dance? What is it supposed to look like?

Traditional Irish dance is a living folk dance. This means that technique, style, costume, and choreography evolve within a specific cultural framework. In the case of Irish dance, the first official records of dances were gathered in the 19th century, and these were further codified in the mid-20th century (and onward). There are many standardized (set) tunes, steps, and entire dances that are required to be learned and taught, and these do not change, except for the list to grow. For new choreography, you won't find Irish dancers suddenly using their arms, but athleticism and difficulty have significantly increased.

It may not be surprising that Irish dance technique has changed since Riverdance debuted in 1994. However, the basic form is still the same. Legs must be crossed at the knee, feet turned out from the hip. Arms and shoulders must be back and down, chest must be forward, hands should be in loose fists with fingernails towards the thigh.

Both hardshoe and softshoe dances are predominantly performed on the balls of the feet, with softshoe aiming to be especially elevated. Legs are usually as locked as possible, knees as close as possible, unless bent for a hop or leap or similar movement.

Like most dance forms, Irish dance is made up of different movements and vocabulary that form the foundation of all choreography. Some dances have traditional choreography, passed down over decades and centuries. Most dances are choreographed by individual teachers (and artistic directors, where shows are concerned).

The following sections will dissect Irish dance into its major elements.

The Basic Dances

Irish step dance is divided into two types: solo and group dances.

Within solo dances, there are softshoe dances and hardshoe dances. Within group dances, there are original figure and traditional céilí dances.

All Irish dance schools have their own choreography, with the exception of traditional set dances and céilí dances (explained below).

Solo Dances

Solo dances are performed either wearing softshoes or hardshoes. Softshoe dances are learned first, followed by hardshoe once the dancer has a firm understanding of the basics.

Both hardshoe and softshoe dances are performed at either "fast" or "slow" speeds depending on the level of the dancer. "Slow" speed dances are generally only performed by champion or experienced dancers, as they require more intricate footwork to fill in the time.

With the exception of set dances (explained in the Hardshoe section below), a solo step is eight bars with the right foot leading, then mirrored on the left foot for another eight bars. As the dancer progresses, they learn increasingly more difficult steps for each dance type (listed below), amassing a vast repertoire of choreography unique to their school or teacher.

Softshoe

Softshoes are leather shoes with suede or leather soles. Softshoe dances must be performed high on the toes, with leaps, hops, and skipping steps. Most group dances are softshoe dances.

Feminine dancers wear ghillies, which have intricate, zig-zagging laces that secure around the ankle and arch of the foot. Different than Highland or lyrical ghillies, they are open to the toes.

Masculine dancers wear reel shoes, which have fiberglass or wooden heels attached to what is essentially a slightly stiffer jazz shoe. Some variations have a strap similar to hardshoes. Masculine steps include clicks and other rhythmic sounds.

Hardshoe

Hardshoes are the same for all dancers, regardless of gender. They are stiff black leather with wooden or fiberglass tips and heels—never (and I do repeat) never metal. Hardshoes lace up the top and buckle at the ankle.

When most people think of Irish dance, they often think of hardshoe. This is the percussive, explosive half of Irish dance.

Types of Dances

The following list is all of the solo dances learned by all Irish step dancers, in the order most commonly taught. Hardshoe is labeled with a little ^H.

I have not included a list of non-traditional set dances, as it's too expansive and ever-changing.

1. Reel: 4/4 time. Often the first dance learned.
2. Light Jig: 6/8 time. Choreography is often very similar from school to school and can lack the variety of reels and slip jigs. Dropped in championship competition.
3. Single or Hop Jig: Danced in 6/8 time. Similar to the Light Jig but with more bouncing. Not competed in all regions, though required for grade and teaching exams. Dropped in championship competition.
4. Slip Jig: 9/8 time. Only competed by women, girls, and sometimes younger boys. Meant to look light and floaty.
5. Treble Reel^H: 4/4 time. At its most basic, this dance teaches the fundamentals of hardshoe rhythm to beginner dancers. Rarely danced in competition, except as a special/trophy dance. Primarily show pieces to demonstrate power in numbers (i.e., Riverdance).
6. Treble Jig^H: 6/8 time. Usually the first hardshoe solo step dancers learn.
7. Hornpipe^H: 4/4 or 2/4 time with accents on the first and third beat (ONE-and-a two-and-a three-and-a four-and-a). Once only danced by males.
8. Traditional Sets^H: Either treble jig or hornpipe. Traditional sets have the same choreography across all schools, though there are variations handed down by different dance masters. Set dances are named for the music they are performed to, and all consist of the step (right and left foot) and the set (right foot only). Most sets have multiple steps and even multiple sets, but the full verions are never performed in competition. I've listed the four major organizations that perform each dance.

Name	Timing	Traditional Speed	Organization(s)
Saint Patrick's Day	6/8 (treble jig)	96	CLRG, Comhdháil, WIDA, CRN
The Blackbird	2/4 (hornpipe)	144	CLRG, Comhdháil, WIDA, CRN
Garden of Daisies	4/4 (hornpipe)	138	CLRG, Comhdháil, WIDA, CRN
Job of Journeywork	4/4 (hornpipe)	138	CLRG, Comhdháil, WIDA, CRN
The Three Sea Captains	6/8 (treble jig)	96	CLRG, Comhdháil, WIDA
Jockey to the Fair	6/8 (treble jig)	92	CLRG, Comhdháil, WIDA
King of the Fairies	2/4 (hornpipe)	130	CLRG, Comhdháil, WIDA
The White Blanket	4/4 (hornpipe)	124	WIDA, CRN
The Hunt	4/4 (hornpipe)	125	WIDA
Humours of Bandon	6/8 (treble jig)		CRN

9. Non-Traditional/Contemporary Sets^H: Of varying times. These are choreographed by each school or teacher and performed by advanced dancers. Popular choices for major competitions change every year, and the slower the speed, the more complex the steps. Dancers can and do perform contemporary sets to traditional set dance tunes, such as King of the Fairies.

Group Dances

The dances with arms and multiple people.

Figure Dances

Generally speaking, figures either refer to portions of choreography in a traditional céilí dance, or an umbrella term for all group dances, including original choreography.

Softshoe reels are the most common type of figure dance, but there are also jigs, a combination of rhythms, and even a hardshoe or two.

Figure dances have only two levels in competition: beginner and open (in CLRG North American scoring). Open is achieved when the majority of dancers in the figure are in a certain solo level (often Novice or Prizewinner in North America).

2-hands and 3-hands are popular original figures both in competition and performance. The figure dancing portion of the CLRG Worlds is one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions in Irish dance. This choreography must be original and use the theme of Ireland or Irish culture to tell a story through traditional céilí steps.

Traditional Céilí Dances

A "céilí" is a party of music and dance.

Céilí dances are group dances (or party dances). They are generally low impact with repetitive choreography designed to be easily taught, learned, and danced all night. They are related to country or set dances (not to be confused with hardshoe/step dance set dances), which are group folk dances. Many céilí dances were preserved from the late 18th century onward, with a push by the Gaelic League and subsequent preservationists in the 19th and 20th centuries.

In Irish dance today, dancers learn and compete an array of these traditional dances, most often the 4-hand, 6-hand (the Fairy Reel), and various 8-hands. They are competed from local feiseanna up into major competitions, including the Worlds, and are drilled with precision far past anything needed in ordinary céilí settings.

Below is the list of the thirty traditional céilí dances used in most Irish dancing today. Many dances have a set tune, but others (such as the 4-hand) do not. To become a teacher, adjudicator, or examiner, you must have all of these memorized. There are additional preserved dances, but they are not in the curriculum.

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