Ireland

Ireland's Dances

Ireland

Irish Stepdance — The most internationally recognized Irish dance style, with an upright torso, straight arms and lightning-fast footwork, danced in soft shoes (ghillies) or hard shoes with fiberglass tips and heels.

Céilí Dancing — A lively social group dance performed in formations of two to sixteen people, such as 4-hand, 6-hand or 8-hand dances, focusing on shared rhythm, teamwork and geometric patterns.

Sean-nós Dance — A traditional solo style that is low to the ground, relaxed and improvised. Unlike modern stepdance, it allows free arm movement and reflects the dancer's personal style.

Set Dancing — A social dance for four couples (eight dancers) in a square, derived from French quadrilles brought to Ireland, with a percussive, flat-footed style.

Old-Style Stepdance — A historic solo stepdance tradition, especially from Munster, with set routines and a more relaxed upper body than modern competition stepdance.