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Set Dancing Class

Tuesdays 8pm - 10 pm, upstairs in:
The Glenside
Landscape Road
Churchtown, Dublin 14

directions

Everyone Welcome!

Glenside Pub Dublin: Set Dancing Class, Tuesdays 8pm

If Tuesday night doesn't suit you, or of you'd like to dance more than one night a week, there's also a Wednesday night class in Dublin City Centre.

Learn set dancing, join in the Ceili and enjoy the craic!

Landscape Road is shown on the Dublin maps (scroll down to botton of page to see a local extract from the map of Dublin). The Glenside, a large thatched building, is the only pub on Landscape Road and is easy to find. The class is held upstairs. When you come in the main door at the centre of the front of the pub, go through the bar to the lounge and you will see the stairs facing you, or if you come in from the rear car park, the stairs is to your left when you come into the lounge).
Last class this term: the last class of the current term will be on Tuesday, 24th June 2008. The next term starts on Tuesday, 9th September 2008.

Set Dancing Classes

Tuesday nights at 8 - 10 pm, upstairs in

The Glenside, Landscape Road, Churchtown

Learn/practice the steps, figures & time of the popular sets and enjoy the fun of the ceili

Partner not required, no need to book - just come along

Guaranteed fun!

Join us alone, with a partner, or with friends

The class starts "officially" at 8pm, however, for anyone who wishes to come along early, we have 15 minutes of steps practice before class, i.e:

19:45 - 20:00: set dancing steps
20:00 - 22:00: set dancing class, with a break around 9pm

During the break at 9pm we have a bit of fun with Sean Nos dancing. Some basic sean nos steps will be covered and dancers are encouraged to take these, or other, steps and "make their own of them".

Set dancing has become very popular in recent years - it's great fun, good exercise and a great way to meet people. Set dancing classes are held in Churchtown on Tuesdays at 8pm throughout the year, except during July/August - see Class Schedule section below. The class caters for both experienced dancers and beginners and you can join in at any stage, simply by going along any Tuesday night at 8pm. It is not necessary to have a partner, but couples may of course dance together if they wish.

The class provides detailed instructions on the steps, figures and timing for the popular sets and there is ample opportunity for participants to put into practice what has been learned in class. The main emphasis is on dancing for enjoyment and many of the class participants meet up at ceili and festival events throughout the year.

Beginners and experienced dancers are welcome at any time.

It is not necessary to book in advance, just come along any Tuesday night.

If Tuesday night doesn't suit you, please check out the Set Dancing Class in Dublin City Centre on Wednesday nights.

Admission:

Admission is 5 Euro, payable on the night. The class is for adults and, since it is held in a licensed premises, we are unable to cater for children.

Class Schedule:

The aim of the class is to teach the steps, figures and timing for the popular sets, such that dancers who attend regularly will be able to dance a set, without calling.

The dancing year is broken into modules/terms, as follows:
  • Break (no classes during July or August)
  • Steps (2nd Tuesday in September - Christmas)
  • Figures (January - Easter)
  • Timing (Easter - last Tuesday in May)

While sets will be danced through at every class, the main emphasis will be on steps for the Steps Module, figures (movements) for the Figures Module and timing the Timing Module. It is not necessary to attend these modules in sequence. New dancers, whether first time beginners, or experienced dancers, are welcome at any time throughout the year.
  • Summer Break:

    We take a break during the Summer, so that dancers who wish to do so can attend some of the many festivals which take place throughout Ireland and abroad. The final class before the Summer break is on the last Tuesday in May and classes start back again on the second Tuesday in September.
  • Steps:

    Steps will include:
    Clare Reel Step: a step for dancing the reel figures of Clare sets
    Clare Jig Step: a step for the jig figure of a Clare set
    Clare Hornpipe Step: a step for the hornpipe figure of a Clare set
    Cork/Kerry Polka Step: a polka step for dancing Cork/Kerry sets
    Cork/Kerry Hornpipe Step: a step for the hornpipe figure of Cork/Kerry sets
    Connemara Reel Step: a step for dancing the reel figures of the Connemara Set
    Cashel Hornpipe Step: a step for the hornpipe figure of the Cashel Set
    Sean Nos Dancing: a bit of fun with some solo steps in the Sean Nos style

    In much the same way that we all have individual accents, everyone has their own unique style of dancing (even though some people may not know it yet!). When teaching steps, the emphasis is on encouraging individual style. The basic steps will be explained, demonstrated and practiced in class. Dancers who already have steps are encouraged to keep and develop their own way of dancing, while beginners are encouraged to take these basic steps and "make their own of them".
  • Figures (Movements):

    The dance movements of each figure of each set will be explained and practiced in class. Typically, once the set has been taught, the full set is then danced through, with a short pause between each figure.
  • Timing:

    Dancing in time with the music is one of the main factors which makes set dancing so enjoyable. However, be warned, this is also the point at which set dancing becomes addictive! During this term, the emphasis is on dancing in time to the music. We will practice the steps and movements of selected figures from various sets, focusing on timing. Dancers who are already comfortable with the steps can work on timing, or maybe throw in an occasional flutter of battering steps, while other dancers, who wish to do so, can learn and use the basic steps.
All modules are suitable for both beginners and experienced dancers and you can join in at any time throughout the year. While of course, we'd love if you could attend every class, we realise that this is not always possible. You are always welcome to join us whenever you are available, whether you are an experienced or inexperienced dancer, even if it is only for a single night.

Sets:

The aim of the class is to cover the figures, steps and timing for the set dances commonly danced at ceili events throughout Ireland, including:

Clare:
  • The Caledonian Set
  • The Mazurka Set
  • The Plain Set
  • The Labasheeda Reel Set
  • The Clare Lancers Set
  • The Corofin Plain Set
  • The Kilfenora Set
Cork/Kerry:
  • The Ballyvourney Jig Set
  • The North Kerry Set
  • The Sliabh Luachra Set
  • The Borlin Set
  • The West Kerry Set
Tipperary:
  • The Cashel Set, also known as The Castle Set
Galway/Meath:
  • The Connemara Set

Other Dances:

While the emphasis is on the popular set dances, other types of Irish dancing will also be covered at some stage during the year, including:

Sean Nos Step Dancing
  • A bit of fun with Sean Nos dancing:
    Several solo dancing steps will be taught and dancers are encouraged to take these, or other, steps and "make their own of them".
Ceili Dances
  • The High-Cauled Cap (Cadhp an Chuil Aird)
  • The Walls of Limerick (Ballai Luimni)
  • The Siege of Ennis (Ionsai na hInse)
Two-Hand Dances
  • The Stack of Barley
  • Shoe the Donkey
Throughout the year, the figures (movements), timing and steps of the popular sets are explained and practiced. While experienced dancers are very welcome, no prior knowledge of set dancing is assumed. The emphasis is on social dancing and many of the class participants meet up regularly at local ceili events and at festivals at home and abroad.

Above all else, the primary objective is to have fun!

Why not give it a try by coming along any Tuesday night at 8pm - you will be very welcome.

Leaflet:

If you know of someone who you think might be interested in attending the class, we would greatly appreciate if you would print our leaflet and pass it on. Or, if you live in the Dublin area and you would be willing to help us to get out the message, please print our leaflet and post it, if allowed, in your local shop window, work noticeboard, etc. - many thanks.

Established 1978:
Craobh Naithi Comhaltas has been running set dancing classes on Tuesday nights in Churchtown since 1978, making it one of the longest running set dance lessons in existence - if not THE longest!

As Michael Tubridy describes in chapter six of "Connie Ryan, The Mighty Set Dancing Master", the late Connie Ryan started a set dancing class in Churchtown in 1978. Connie Ryan is widely acknowledged as one of the key figures in the revival of Irish set dancing throughout Ireland and abroad. The set dancing classes started in Dublin by Connie have continued uninterrupted to this day and look set to run for many more years to come.

Latest News:
If you would like to be kept up to date with latest news, please enter your email address in the box at the top of this page and click "Subscribe".

Dance Music:
These are some of our favourite music CDs:
  • Bruach an tSulain, The Abbey Ceili Band: music for The Ballyvourney Jig Set, The Borlin, The Caledonian and The Corofin Plain
  • Beal a Ghleanna, The Abbey Ceili Band: music for The Plain Set, The Sliabh Luachra, The West Kerry and The Connemara
  • Michael Sexton Ceili Band, The Michael Sexton Ceili Band: music for The Plain Set, The Caledonian, The Connemara and The Newport
  • Mad to Dance, The Michael Sexton Ceili Band: music for The Labasheeda Reel Set, The Clare Orange and Green, The Clare Lancers and The Cashel
  • Traditional music from East Clare, Mary McNamara: Reels, Jigs and Hornpipes on concertina at a slow steady pace, ideal for practicing steps, e.g. Reel: track 6, Jig: track 7, Hornpipe: track 3.
  • Kitty Lie Over, traditional Irish music on fiddle, uilleann pipes and whistles: we play track 13 of this CD for our Sean Nos "step around", during the break
  • Different State, Paudie O'Connor: lovely slides and polkas from the well known Kerry musician Paudie O'Connor
  • Popular Irish Ceili Dances, Johnny Connolly: music on melodeon for The Stack of Barley, Shoe the Donkey, The Siege of Ennis, The Walls of Limerick, The Haymaker's Jig, The Sweets of May, The Fairy Reel, The High-Cauled Cap, The Three Tunes and other ceili and two-hand dances.
  • Kerry music on fiddle, melodion and accordion from Brendan Begley and Caoimhin O Raghallaigh: two tracks on this CD were recorded live at a concert in nearby Airfield House, Dundrum, in June 2007. During the concert, a few of us couldn't resist dancing, so we started a set at the back of the hall. Without us realising it and without ever missing a beat, the two musicians left the stage and came down to play alongside us while we danced - a wonderful night and a magic CD!
Any of these CDs which are sold through shops will most likely be available in the Claddagh Records shop, behind the Central Bank, in Dublin. Some CDs are available via the internet.

Armada Set Dance Week & Willie Clancy Summer School:
In early July each year, the highlight of the set dancing calendar takes place place in Spanish Point, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare - the annual Set Dance Week at the Armada Hotel is undoubtedly the largest gathering of set dancers in Ireland and is always guaranteed to be a week of sheer fun! Set Dance Week runs in parrallel with the world-famous Willie Clancy Summer School, which takes place each year in Miltown Malbay and Spanish Point, starting on the first Saturday in July each year and running for 8-10 days until the end of the following weekend, or longer, until all the musicians and dancers have finally worn themselves out and gone home!

Willie Clancy Summer School Start Dates:
2008: Saturday, 5th July 2008
2009: Saturday, 4th July 2009
2010: Saturday, 3rd July 2010

The Armada Set Dance Week starts on the Friday night, i.e. the night before each of the above dates.

Getting There:

"X marks the spot!" - the handwritten "X" on the map below shows the location of the Glenside Pub on Landscape Road.
click here for an online map (opens in a new window).
  • By car:
    Landscape Road is shown on the Dublin maps, see extract from the map of Dublin below. There is ample on-street parking, as well as a car park at the rear of the pub

  • By bus:
    The Number 14 Bus travels from the city centre to the Dundrum Luas station. If travelling from the city, get off on Braemor Road at the stop after Mount Carmel Hospital, which you can just about see at the top left corner of the map below. click here for Dublin Bus timetable

  • By Luas:
    Bus is the best public transport option. Luas is also an option, but the walk from the station is longer than from the bus stop. To travel by Luas, take the Luas Green Line to Dundrum and then either walk to Landscape Road, or take the number 14 bus (see "By bus" above, except that in this case, the stop is the one before Mount Carmel, since you're travelling in the opposite direction). Click here for Luas website

Dublin Set Dance directions to Glenside Churchtown

Organised by Craobh Naithi Comhaltas

More Information:

Well, there isn't really any more information - we've put everything we can think of here on this website, which is up to date as of today, 24th July 2008. But, if you have read everything on this page and you still do not have enough information to make a decision on whether to come along, then we have forgotten something. In this case, please click here to contact us and we will get back to you by email as soon as possible. Please do not telephone the pub, as the Glenside staff have no details about the set dancing classes. If your do not have access to email, please come along any Tuesday night at 8pm and we will answer your questions then.


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Set Dancing Classes Dublin Learn Irish Dance Steps/Figures Class