Irish Set Dancing

Irish Set Dancing is square dancing to traditional Irish music. Four couples dance together in a square to music in various rhythms, mainly reels, jigs, polkas or hornpipes.

The group of people is known as a “set”, and each dance is also known as a “set” (confusingly!).

Most of the dances we do are named after towns or villages or areas in Ireland, such as the Connemarra Set, the Clare Lancers Set, the Corofin Plain Set, or the Ballyvourney Jig Set. The dances evolved in each place from cotillions and quadrilles, and regional variations appeared. In the past people would only dance the dances from their area, but now many of the most popular dances are danced in all places, though many of the less well-known dances are still danced in their own areas.

Irish Set Dancing is popular all over Ireland and in many other parts of the world. As well as in Ireland there are clubs in many places in the UK, Europe, America, Australia and even Japan. You certainly don’t have to have Irish blood to enjoy Irish Set Dancing, it is fun for everybody.

For more information on the world-wide popularity of Irish Set Dancing see Sets.ie website.

Basically, Irish Set Dancing is not Riverdance, and it’s not Strictly, but it is fun and lively and a great way to meet people.