There's always the same question, "What is irish dancing"?
Well, here's some info on it.

Irish step dances are modern, creations of the dancing masters prevalent in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries. Almost all references to Irish dances in literature, down to the beginning of the eighteenth century, deal only with Round and Long dances, and there is a marked absence of any indication of the existence of the dancing-master until about the same time." The intricate steps were made by the dancing masters, who elaborated on the simple steps of Round and Long dances.

Round and Long Dances are group dances requiring a minimum of four dancers depending on the dance. Round dances are known in step dancing as figure dances, like the six-hand reel, eight-hand reel, four-hand jig.) You don't hear people call them round and long dances anymore though. You just say reel and jig or easy reel and light jig.

There are four basic Irish dances (solos): reel, (light) jig, slip jig, and hornpipe. There are, of course, many variations of reel, light jig, slip jig, and hornpipe steps. Each dancing school has its own versions of the dance steps.

For those who are musically inclined and care about the timing of these dances: the reel is in 2/4 time; the light jig is in 6/8 time; the slip jig is in the complex 9/8 time; the hornpipe is also in 2/4 time. Only the hornpipe has a different structure than the reel.

An Irish dance competition, feis (pronounced fesh ), can be found somewhere in the United States every month of the year (they can also be in different countries too), although the spring and summer months are the busy months. Competitions are also held in Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, U.S.A, New Zealand, and South Africa. Regional competitions (Oireachtas -- pronouned uh-roc-tus ) let the best dancers to qualify for national competitions which are for world competition. The All World Championships are held every year at Easter-time in Ireland.

Each school has different costumes. There is one or more costumes for kids, depending on their level; many schools have one costume for beginners and another for dancers at the novice or advanced beginner level. Open and Prizewinner dancers (teens and adults who have reached a high level in competition) have different dresses. Adult dancers (adults who have not danced in at least five years) have yet another costume, which is more often a skirt and blouse or jacket than a school dress that the younger kids wear.

When dancers reach a certain level in competition, they may receive a solo or open dress. The dress, usually made in Ireland or England, is velvet with satin linings and lots of colorful embroidery with usually celtic knots. The solo dress is a sign that a dancer has achieved a high-level of skill and success in Irish step dancing. It is worn during individual (solo) competitions; for team (figure dancing) competitions, the dancer wears the regular school costume for their level.

Now another question that I hear a lot, "Should I Take Irish Dance"?

I think irish dancing is tons of fun and I think everyone that is interested should take it. It won't hurt you to try. Irish DAnce has changed me too. Now I'm more confident with myself, I'm a better sport, and I'm staying more postive with everything. I think irish dance is a great experience for those who want to take it.

Here are some sites you can look at about irish dancing,

www.earthlydelights.com.au . . . is a wonderful site for you to see what different dresses look like. Or you can look around the Irish boards.

www.celticimage.co.uk . . . also cool.

www.irelandseye.com . . . history there of irish dance.

academic.scranton.edu . . . history of it

I hope that is you are thinking about taking irish dance, you take lessons. It's really great and you meet new friends too!