Set Dancing Classes:

Tuesdays 8pm-10pm: Dublin South The Thatch Function Room, The Glenside Pub Landscape Road Churchtown, Dublin 14 more details... map	Wednesdays 8pm-10pm: Dublin North The Edmund Hall, Marino Institute of Education Charlemont, Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9 more details... map	Thursdays 8pm-10pm: Sligo/Roscommon The Community Centre Ballinafad, Co. Sligo (near Boyle, Co. Roscommon) more details... map
Tuesday: Churchtown, Dublin	Wednesday: Griffith Avenue, Dublin	Thursday: Ballinafad, Co. Sligo
We are now on Summer break. Put a note in your diary for the brand new term, starting: Tue 10th Sep 2013 at 8pm	We are now on Summer break. Put a note in your diary for the brand new term, starting: Wed 11th Sep 2013 at 8pm	We are now on Summer break. Put a note in your diary for the brand new term, starting: Thu 12th Sep 2013 at 8pm

Each class begins at 8pm and typically runs as follows:

We start promptly at 8pm. During the first half of the night, we teach a set from scratch, starting with the basics. No prior knowledge of dance is assumed or expected. This part of the night is particularly suitable for people who are new to set dancing
At around 9 pm, we declare a break, during which you have the option of taking a rest, or trying out another part of our dance tradition, solo dancing. For those who are interested, we have a bit of fun with some solo dancing, or "Sean Nos" steps.
After the break, we dance through one, two or maybe even three sets that we have covered previously in class. This gives the "regulars" a chance to put into practice some of the dances that have previously been taught. Newcomers have the option of joining in, which we recommend, or sitting out some or all of the second half. We encourage everyone to get on the floor for the full night, but we don't force anyone to do so. The emphasis is primarily on having a bit of fun and no one takes it in any way seriously if something goes astray.
We finish off with the same short set each night, currently The Ballyvourney Jig Set, finishing at 10pm
At the end of class, if anyone wants to go back over anything, such as steps, or a specific figure of a set, we stay on for an extra 15 or 20 minutes after class, with those people who choose to stay on.

So, we dance at least three sets every night, often more. The reason for finishing with the same set each night is that, if you attend regularly, you will know this set "like the back of your hand" and you will be able to dance it "on auto-pilot", without thinking, which is by far the most enjoyable way to dance. We typically stick with the same finish set for many months, so that everyone gets to know it well.

From time-to-time, we occasionally have a night of ceili and two-hand dances instead of set dancing. Ceili dances, such as The Siege of Ennis and The Walls of Limerick and two-hand dances such as Shoe the Donkey and The Stack of Barley are very popular at weddings and other family gatherings and whenever we want to celebrate our Irishness, such at St. Patrick's Day festivities.

Scroll down for general details about all three nights, or click above for directions and details about a specific night.

Partner not required, no need to book, just come along - the majority of people who attend these classes come along on their own, but if you can convince others to join you, so much the better, the more the merrier!

Everyone Welcome! Learn/practise the steps, figures & time of the popular sets and enjoy the fun of the ceili. Guaranteed fun!

If you are within reach of one of our classes, whether you live permanently in Ireland, or are visiting from abroad, you are very welcome to join us any night that you are available - you will be made very welcome and we guarantee a good night's craic!

Set dancing has become very popular in recent years - it's great fun, good exercise and a great way to meet people. The class caters for both experienced dancers and beginners and you can join in at any stage. 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.

Clothing and Shoes:

No special clothing is required, just wear whatever you are comfortable in. Although leather-soled shoes are easiest to dance in, your choice of footwear is totally up to you. You don't need special shoes, but if you do decide to invest, make sure not to get "noisy" ones, such as the ones sold for tap dancing, hard-shoe, and other types of solo dance. Whereas solo dancing shoes may have "metalwork" on the heels, toes, and/or soles, set dancing shoes do not require any metal at all on the heels, toes, or sole.

Class Outline:

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 content of the class could be roughly broken broken down as follows:

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 practised in class. People who have been dancing for a while are encouraged to keep and develop their own way of dancing, while beginners are encouraged to take these basic steps and develop their own individual style.
Figures (Movements):
The dance movements of each figure of each set will be explained and practised 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. While steps vary from one dancer to another and figures vary from one set to another, dancing in time to the music adds to the enjoyment of all set dancers across all sets. We will start by teaching one set, which we will then dance through at some stage each night. After a while, the figures of the selected set will become well known to the class. We will then use this as our reference set for explaining and practicing dancing in time. At the end of the term, dancers who attend regularly will know the selected set well and will have a good understanding of the impact that dancing in time has on the enjoyment of set dancing.

New dancers are welcome at any time. We start a new set from scratch every few weeks, so newcomers are not at any disadvantage. 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 popular sets which are commonly danced at ceili events throughout Ireland, such as:

Clare:

The Caledonian
The Mazurka
The Plain Set
The Labasheeda Reel Set
The Clare Lancers
The Corofin Plain
The Kilfenora Plain Set

Cork/Kerry:

The Ballyvourney Jig
The North Kerry
The Sliabh Luachra
The Borlin
The West Kerry
The Ballingeary Jig Set

Galway:

The Connemara
The South Galway Set
The Moycullen
The Claddagh Set

Tipperary:

The Cashel or Castle Set

Australia / Northern Ireland:

The Antrim Square

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 practised. While experienced dancers are very welcome, no prior knowledge of set dancing is assumed.

The emphasis is on dancing for enjoyment 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 night at 8 pm - you will be very welcome.

Visiting Ireland:

If you are visiting Ireland, you are very welcome to join us, even if it is only for a single night. The class provides a relaxed and friendly environment in which to enjoy the fun of Irish set dancing. The class runs each year from the second week in September until the last week in May the following year.

Cameras & Phones:

We would prefer if you left your cameras and video at home and, unless you are expecting an urgent call, we'd prefer if you switched off your mobile phone, or put it on silent, during class. Anyone wanting to take a memento photo, please say so and we will invite people who wish to be in the photo to assemble during break time.

Dance Music:

These are some of my favourite music CDs, ideal for practicing dance steps at home:

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
Wind & Reeds, music on accordion and uilleann pipes from Paudie O'Connor and John O'Brien: track 12 on this CD has a lovely hornpipe, ideal for practicing a hornpipe step.
A Moment of Madness, 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!
Na Fir Bolg, concertina music of Clare and West Kerry from Cormac Begley and Jack Talty: lovely deep mellow sound, with great rythm, perfect for practicing steps, e.g. track 7 is perfect for dancing a jig step
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
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.

Many of these CDs can be ordered online by following the links above. Otherwise, you should get them in the Claddagh Records shop in Abbey Street, alongside the tram line, just across the road from the side entrance to Easons, in Dublin City Centre, or in Custys in Ennis, Co. Clare, or in any well-stocked traditional Irish music shop.

Armada Set Dance Week & Willie Clancy Summer School:
In early July each year, the highlight of the set dancing calendar takes place place in Miltown Malbay and Spanish Point, Co. Clare. The annual Willie Clancy Summer School and Armada Set Dance Week take place in parallel, within a few miles of each other.

The Willie Clancy Summer School starts on the first Saturday in July each year and runs 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:
2013: Saturday, 6th July 2013
2014: Saturday, 5th July 2014
2015: Saturday, 4th July 2015

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

More Information:

Well, there isn't really any more information. The aim of this website is to give you all the information you would need in order to make a decision about coming along to give it a try - any other questions you might have can be answered face-to-face in class. We've added everything we can think of and the website is up to date as of today, 20th June 2013. But, if you have read everything on this website, including:

this page,

the FAQ (frequently asked questions) page,

and the page for night you are thinking at attending, i.e: Monday Tuesday Wednesday or Thursday

and you still do not have enough information to make a decision on whether or not 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 venue, as venue staff have no details about the set dancing classes. If you do not have access to email, please come along any night at 8 pm and we will answer your questions then.

Mailing List:
If you would like to receive class email messages, such as a reminder when a new term is about to start, or notification if a class has to be cancelled due to bad weather, please enter your email address and click "Join Mailing List" - you can unsubscribe at any time by replying to any message, indicating that you wish to unsubscribe.

I Look forward to seeing you.
Pat.

Content correct as of 20th June 2013