IRISH DANCE

                          Click on Irish Dancer to the left to download
                          the Irish Fies Dance Entry & complete set of rules form

The history of Irish Dancing goes back to the time of the Druids, before the coming of St. Patrick and Christianity to Ireland, perhaps 2000 years. Scholars believe that in ancient times, dancing was part of the druidic worship services. At any rate, it is known that the Irish Kings would hold a feis to entertain an honored guest. Since the start of the dancing revival toward the end of the 1700’s, many changes have taken place in the forms and methods of judging, but there is one trait that has remained constant and that one separates Irish Dance from virtually all others; an Irish Dancer danes from the hips down only and the remainder of the body is held rigid, and the arms, except in group dancing are kept at the side. Dances used in competition: jigs, reels, hornpipes, and set dances.