Irish Dance History

Irish step dance has its roots in traditional Irish dancing from over two thousand years ago. During the Iron Age in central Europe, members of the Celtic upper class danced in religious rituals honoring the sun and oak tree. When they arrived in Ireland they brought these folk dances with them. Even after converting to Christianity in 400 A.D., Irish peasants kept their same style of dance while new priests evolved it. In the sixteenth century, dances like the Trenchmore were performed in castles. The Trenchmore was adapted from old Irish peasant dance and brought to the court of Queen Elizabeth. Irish dance continued to be prominent in royal courts. When royalty arrived in Ireland, they were greeted at the shore by young women performing

It was true that Munster dance was considered superior because of its influence on the dancing masters. Styles like the west Galway were more flat-footed and included flamboyant arm movements that were very much frowned upon by the Munster dancing masters. "The nature of the Irish dance tradition has changed and adapted over the centuries to accommodate and reflect changing populations and the fusion of new cultures.” In modern times, an extreme change of the Munster style is now presented as the national style where Irish dancing is concerned. In the 1750s, the 'Traveling Dance Master’ made major contributions to modern Irish dancing as he would travel around Ireland, teaching step dancing. He also taught a high degree of discipline and some say this included the holding of the hands by one’s side. Another popular reason for the tradition of keeping the hands and upper body stiff while dancing is that Irish dancers would unhinge doors and lay them on the ground to create a stage to dance on. Because the space on the door was so small and limited, there was no room for any arm movements. This evolved into several dancing teachers realizing that keeping arms held down and hands in fists, called more attention to the intricacy of the steps. However, in modern Irish step dance, arm movements are sometimes incorporated in shows and performances, but never in