Editing Irish dance (section)

==Irish dance==
<!-- This article is intended to provide an overview of *ALL* forms of Irish dancing, not just competition dance. Accordingly, this section is deliberately being kept limited, so as to not provide undue weight to competition dance. If you want to add trivia about costuming or competition structure, why not look at the Irish dance article, and add it there? -->
Accounts of dancing in the 17th century suggest that dancing was by that time extremely widespread throughout Ireland.{{sfn|Brennan|1999|p=18}}  In 1674 [[Richard Head]] wrote in reference to Ireland, 'In every field a fiddle, and the lasses footing till they all of a foam,' suggesting some type of Irish dancing or dance with heavy foot movement.<ref name=":0" /> There is ample evidence of Irish jigs or Irish dancing in the 16th century, in 1569 Sir Henry Sydney sent a letter to Queen Elizabeth in which he expresses his enthusiasm for the Irish jigs, or fiddle of Galway.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Flood |first1=William H. Grattan |title=A History of Irish Music |date=1905 |publisher=Irish University Press |location=Ireland |url=https://www.libraryireland.com/IrishMusic/Contents.php |access-date=3 April 2025 |chapter=Anglo-Irish Music in the Sixteenth Century}}</ref> A variety of forms of solo Irish Dance have developed which are described as dance. These include the well-known "modern" stepdance performed competitively; old-style stepdance, which is closer in style to the dance practised by 19th-century travelling dance masters; and festival dance, which separated from modern stepdance over stylistic and administrative disputes in the mid-20th century.

===Modern dance===
<!-- Sources suggest that the other subforms in this section both call themselves stepdance and are considered to be related to stepdance. The Irish dance article, however, describes the modern, codified dance. As such, it is listed as a subform here. -->
[[File:Irish 138.jpg|thumb|Irish dancers from Connemara Irish dancers in Wilkes-Barre, PA, dance at the [[Hetzel Union Building]] (HUB), [[Penn State University]].]]
The most predominant form of Irish dance is that popularised by the Broadway show [[Riverdance]], and other Irish dancing stage shows since the late 20th century. Characterised by a rigid torso and dances performed high on the balls of the feet, this style became distinct from the late 19th century when the [[Gaelic League]] began efforts to preserve and promote Irish dance as part of a broader [[Irish nationalism|nationalist]] movement concerned with Irish culture. Although a rigid torso may be the initial characterisation of Irish dance, modern soft shoe Irish dancers commonly gracefully use their arms in flowing movements, abandoning the traditional form. It is not uncommon for hard shoe dancers to use their arms in strict hand formations other than arms at sides, though competition dance continues to require the arms be kept by the dancer's sides. In 1929, the League formed ''[[An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha]]'' (CLRG, The Irish Dancing Commission) in order to codify and standardise stepdancing competition and education. Over the following decades, CLRG expanded globally, and promoted this particular form of stepdance by developing examinations and qualifications for teachers and competition adjudicators. Today, stepdance in the style codified by the Gaelic League is performed competitively in a number of countries, and under the auspices of a number of organisations which have at various times broken away from CLRG.

====Dances====
[[File:Women performing Irish dance in contemporary costume.jpg|thumb|left|An untraditional dance style|alt=Nontraditional costumes as well]]
Irish solo dances fall into two broad categories based on the shoes worn: 'hard shoe' (also known as hard shoe or heavy shoe) and 'soft shoe' (or light shoe) dances.

There are four soft shoe dance styles: the [[Reel (dance)|reel]], [[slip jig]],  light [[jig]] and 'single jig' (also referred to as 'hop jig'). Reels have a {{music|time|4|4}} (or sometimes {{music|time|2|4}} or {{music|time|2|2}}) [[time signature]]. Slip jigs are in {{music|time|9|8}} time. Light and single jigs are in {{music|time|6|8}} time, with different emphasis within the measure distinguishing the music.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Hard shoe dances include the [[hornpipe]] in syncopated {{music|time|2|4}} or {{music|time|4|4}} time, the [[treble jig]] (also called the 'heavy jig' or 'double jig') in a slow {{music|time|6|8}}, the [[treble reel]] (a short sixteen [[Bar (music)|bar]] hard shoe dance done to reel music) and 'traditional sets', which are a group of dances with set music and steps. Many traditional sets have irregular musical phrasing. There are multiple traditional sets, including [[St. Patrick's Day]], Blackbird, Job of Journeywork, Three Sea Captains, Garden of Daisies, and King of the Fairies. While theoretically standardised, different organisations recognise different traditional sets and slight variations exist between teachers. There are also "non-traditional sets" done by advanced dancers. These have set music, but not steps; the steps are choreographed by individual dance schools.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Competitive dancers generally dance two or three steps at a time, depending on their dancing level. Each step lasts for sixteen [[bar (music)|bar]]s of music for the treble jig and the reel. Dances such as the hornpipe and slip jig instead have eight [[bar (music)|bar]]s of music for their third steps. The dances are each danced starting with the right foot for eight bars, then repeated with the left foot for the last eight bars, doing the same movements with the opposite feet. Set dances, however, have a different format. The dancer usually dances one step, which is limited to the length of the first part of the music that is repeated (often eight bars, though this varies depending on the specific set dance), and is then repeated, resembling the steps of other dances. Then the dancer usually dances a "set" which is not repeated. It is a highly sought after and competitive feat to recall to dance this "third round" — at regional, national, and world competitions, only a small percentage (typically the top half of dancers graded after the first two rounds) of dancers are invited back to perform.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

The ''Céilí'' dances used in competitions are more precise versions of those danced in less formal settings. There is a list of 30 ''Céilí'' dances which have been standardised and published in ''An Coimisiún's'' ''Ar Rinncidhe Foirne'' as examples of typical Irish folk dances; these are called the "book" dances by competitive stepdancers. Most Irish dancing competitions only ask for a short piece of any given dance, in the interests of time and the endurance of the dancers.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

====Shoes and costume====
[[File:Irish dance (4944374782).jpg|thumb|Shoes and costume]]
There are two types of shoes; soft shoes (also known as [[Ghillies (dance)|ghillies]] or pumps) and hard shoes. Hard shoes are similar to [[tap dance|tap]] shoes, except that the tips and heels are made of [[fiberglass]], instead of metal, and are significantly bulkier. Another aspect of the hard shoe that sets it apart from a tap shoe is its ability to go "on block" or en [[Pointe technique|pointe]]. The first hard shoes had wooden or leather taps with metal nails. Later the taps and heels were made of resin or fiberglass to reduce the weight and to make the sounds louder. The soft shoes, which are called ''[[ghillies (dance)|ghillies]]'', are black leather lace-up shoes similar to ballet slippers. ''Ghillies'' are only worn by girls, while boys wear black leather shoes called "reel shoes", which resemble black [[jazz shoe]]s with a hard heel. Boy's soft-shoe dancing features audible heel clicks and stomps. A new trend includes adding white laces to the soft shoes, and white tape to the straps of the hard shoes to blend in with the sock and give the illusion of elongating the legs.

Several generations ago, the appropriate dress for a competition was simply "Sunday best" (clothes one would wear to church). Irish Dance schools generally have school dresses, worn by lower-level competitors, in public performances, and in team competitions. As dancers advance in competition or are given starring roles in public performances, they may get a solo dress of their own design and colours or wear the team dress. In the 1970s and 1980s, ornately embroidered dresses became popular. Today even more ornamentation is used on girls' dresses, including rhinestones, sequins, and other bling. Solo dresses are unique to each dancer. Today most women and girls wear a wig, a bun or hairpiece for a competition, but some still curl their own hair. Costumes are heavily integrated into the Irish dance culture and feature traditional elements of classic peasant wear adorned with Celtic designs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crystalparade.co.uk/blog/history-irish-dancing/|title=The History of Irish Dancing {{!}} Crystal Parade Blog|website=www.crystalparade.co.uk|language=en|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> Most men wear a shirt, vest or jacket, and tie paired with black trousers. The vest or jacket of the men's costume is also commonly adorned with crystals, traditional knotwork, and embroidery.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.adcirishdancers.com/faq#:~:text=Male%20dancers%20can%20wear%20kilts,celtic%20knotwork%2C%20embroidery%20and%20gems./|title= FAQ An Dragan Ceilteach Irish Dancers {{!}} An Dragan Ceilteach Irish Dancers|website=www.adcirishdancers.com|language=en|access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref> Each Irish dance school has its own distinctive full skirted dress, often featuring lace or an embroidered pattern copied from the medieval Irish [[Book of Kells]].<ref>Margaret Scanlan (2006). "Culture and Customs of Ireland". p. 163. Greenwood Publishing Group</ref>

====Competition structure====
An organised dance competition is referred to as a ''[[feis]]'' (plural ''feiseanna''). The word ''feis'' means "festival" in [[Irish language|Irish]], and strictly speaking would also have competitions in music and crafts. ''Féile'' ({{IPA|ga|ˈfʲeːlʲə|IPA}}) is a more correct term for the dance competition, but the terms may be used interchangeably. Dance competitions are divided by age and level of expertise. The names of the levels and other organising rules vary between countries and regions. Dancers are scored based on technique (placement of the feet, turn out, off of their heels, etc.), style (grace, power, etc.) and other items such as timing, rhythm, carriage, choreography and sounds in their hard shoe dances. 

In most organizations, the lower and entry levels of Irish dance include beginner 1and beginner 2, in which dancers mostly compete soft shoe dances. Then after around 2 years of experience at these levels, dancer can advance to the intermediate levels, which include novice and prizewinner. At these levels, most dancers are competing five to dance dances including both hard shoe and soft shoe. To advance through each of the levels, the dancer must receive specific placements in each of their dances. After obtaining a first place in each of their prizewinner dances, a dancer can move up into the preliminary champion level (PC). At the PC level, dancers usually compete a longer soft shoe and hard shoe dance, and then get an overall score for each of their dances combined. After obtaining two to three overall first places at the PC level, dancers can move into the highest level open champion (OC), where they compete a longer hard shoe and soft shoe, in addition to a set dance. The set dance at the open champion level is a long hard shoe danced where the dancer is alone on stage and it focuses largely on advanced rhythm and timing. Within the PC and OC levels, dancers can qualify for the regional championships, Oireachtas. From Oireachtas placements, dancers can qualify for various National and World Championships.

''An Coimisiún'' dancers take part in their annual regional Championship competition, which is known as an [[Oireachtas (Irish dance)|oireachtas]] ({{IPA|ga|ˈɛɾʲaxt̪ˠəsˠ|IPA}}). An Coimisiún also holds various "national" championship competitions. These are qualifying events for [[Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne]], or "The World Championships". An Coimisiún's World Championships are the largest of all Irish step dance organisations, with over 6,000 dancers competing from over 30 countries worldwide. The ''Aisling'' Award (pronounced 'Ashling', Gaelic for dream) is awarded to the highest placing dancer in each solo dancing category from outside of Ireland, the United Kingdom, the US and Canada to encourage them to continue their dream of dancing. Other smaller Irish step dance organisations host their own premier championship.

''[[Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne]]'', or "The World Championships" (for An Coimisiún dancers), first took place in [[Dublin]] in 1970 at ''Coláiste Mhuire'', a school in Parnell Square. The "Worlds" outgrew its original location and moved around the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In 2002, for the first time, the "Worlds" left Ireland for [[Glasgow]]. In 2009, for the first time, the World Championships were held in the United States, in [[Philadelphia]]. The 2010-2019 championships were held in [[Glasgow]], [[Dublin]], [[Belfast]], [[Boston]], [[London]], [[Montréal]], [[Glasgow]], [[Dublin]], [[Glasgow]], and [[Greensboro]], respectively, always taking place during the week leading up to [[Easter Sunday]], when the championships end. The [[BBC (TV channel)|BBC]] documentary film ''Jig'' provided an insight into championship level dancers competing in the 2010 World Championships held in [[Glasgow]].<ref name="McCarthy-2011"/>  [[Oireachtas Rince Na Cruinne]] planned return to [[Dublin]] in 2020 for the 50 year anniversary of the championships was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="covid">{{cite web|url=https://www.clrg.ie/index.php/en/news/923-oireachtas-rince-na-cruinne-2020-cancelled.html|date=18 March 2020|publisher=An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha|access-date=10 April 2020|title=Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne 2020 - Cancelled|language=en}}</ref> In 2022, the competition was held in Belfast.

An Coimsiún also holds Oireachtas Rince na hÉireann, or "The All Irelands" which took place in [[Killarney]] in February 2019. It is the oldest Irish dancing competition in the world.

An Comhdhail's World championships also take place each Easter week, with the competition being held in [[Dublin]] in 2018 and [[Killarney]] in 2019. WIDA (World Irish Dance Association), which mainly consists of dancers from European countries, also hold their own World and International Championships over the Easter week, with the competition being held in [[Maastricht]] in 2018, [[Eindhoven]] in 2019, digitally in 2021 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], and in [[Moers]] in 2022.

===Old-style step dancing===
Old-style step dancing is a tradition related to, yet distinct from, [[Sean-nós dance|sean-nós dancing]], though it is sometimes called "Munster-style sean-nós". Old-style step dancing evolved in the 17th-18th century from the dancing of travelling Irish dance masters. The dance masters slowly formalised and transformed both solo and social dances. Modern masters of old-style step dancing style can trace the lineage of their steps directly back to 18th century dancers.

The Irish Dance masters refined and codified indigenous Irish dance traditions. Rules emerged about proper upper body, arm, and foot placement. Also, dancers were instructed to dance a step twice—first with the right foot then with the left. Old-style step dancers dance with arms loosely (but not rigidly) at their sides. They dance in a limited space. There is an emphasis on making percussive sound with the toes. The Irish dance masters of this period also choreographed particular steps to particular tunes in traditional music creating the solo traditional set dances such as the Blackbird, St. Patrick's Day, and the Job of Journey Work, which also persist in modern Irish stepdancing. In this context, "set dance" signifies a separate tradition from the social dance tradition also called [[set dance]].

===Festival dance===
{{main|Festival Irish dance}}
Following criticism of CLRG for its emphasis on certain regional forms of stepdance to the detriment of others, dance teacher Patricia Mulholland developed a new style of stepdance, beginning in the 1950s. It was described as a form of "folk ballet" which appealed to dancers of both [[Roman Catholicism|Catholic]] and [[Protestantism|Protestant]] religious persuasions.<ref name=irishnews2015>{{cite news|last1=McGonagle|first1=Suzanne|title=Irish dancing legend honoured |url=http://www.irishnews.com/news/2015/03/07/news/irish-dancing-legend-honoured-117642/|access-date=10 April 2017|work=The Irish News|date=7 March 2015 |language=en}}</ref> Like other forms which share the heritage of modern stepdance but have departed from its codification, festival dance emphasises individuality and practises more relaxed style and posture.<ref name="pacelli2015">{{cite web|last1=Dorrity|first1=Christie|title=Interview with a Festival Dance Teacher from Tir Na n-Og Irish Dancing School|url=https://www.antoniopacelli.com/community/article/interview-with-a-festival-dance-teacher-from-tir-na-n-og-irish-dancing-scho|website=Antonio Pacelli|access-date=12 April 2017|language=en|date=28 May 2015}}</ref>