Traditional dancing in Ireland dates back to when the Druids and the Celts first came to Ireland around 500 BC. Inspired by English, French, and Latin-style dancing, modern Irish Dance originated in the 17th century. Also at this time, dance masters traveled to villages, teaching the Irish locals how to dance along with the traditional Irish music. The dance masters taught traditional set dances, which were passed down and are still taught today. The Gaelic League was formed in 1893, then An Coimisún Le Rincí Gaelacha (The Irish Dancing Commission, the organization I dance in currently) was formed in 1930, and the first World Championships occurred in 1970. 

All Ireland Irish Dance Championships 1964: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=502H31E2VUI

In modern-day competitions, higher-level dancers dance 3 rounds to traditional Irish music. For the girls, the first round is danced in heavy shoes (most similar to tap shoes), the second round is danced in soft shoes (most similar to ballet shoes), and the third round (if a dancer is scored in the top half for the first two rounds) is danced in heavy shoes. For the boys, it is the same except their soft shoes have heels on them, so it’s more of a cross between a girls’ soft shoe and a heavy shoe. In the first two rounds, all the dancers are dancing to the same music and are dancing with 2-3 dancers on the stage at a time; they are competing against each other and are not dancing the same choreography. The third round is danced solo, and the song is chosen by the dancer’s teacher. There are also team dances, known as ceilis, that have much simpler steps, so it’s more about formation.

Girls Heavy Shoe First Round at the World Championships 2024:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqlcBpDt_BQ

Girls Soft Shoe Second Round at the World Championships 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOp2Z3stqSM 

Girls Third Round Set Dance at World Irish Dancing Championships 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Urqumj5yqpo

Boys Hardshoe First Round at the World Championships 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNST9IeRWCk

Boys Second Round Soft Shoe at the All-Irelands 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibo8IEeN8rY

Boys Third Round Set Dance at the World Irish Dancing Championships 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULrp_ARDQQs

Ladies Team Dance Ceili at the World Championships 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y4UQOSidJk

In some ways, for the girls, modern Irish Dancing is just as much a beauty pageant as it is a sport. During the time of the dance masters, it is said that every Sunday for church, the Irish ladies would curl their hair and afterwards go to Irish Dance competitions with their hair done up. But sooner or later, they got tired of curling their hair so precisely each time, so they started wearing curly wigs instead. The traditional dresses were knee-length and had Celtic designs (from The Book of Kells) on them. Currently, the dresses are shorter, bedazzled, custom-made, or second-hand, elaborate works of art. Also, as the sport has evolved, a lot more makeup is worn as well as leg tanner, which is said to “make their legs pop on stage.” The judges will always look at a dancer’s actual dancing before they look at their appearance, but it is also important to be put together and wear a dress that suits the dancer’s style. As for the boys, at the time of the dance masters, they wore traditional kilts, but that eventually evolved into them wearing pants. 

Many dancers audition for Irish Dance shows after their competitive career. The most famous shows are Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, both formed by Irish Dancing legend Michael Flatley. Show dancing is a lot less stressful than competitive dancing because dancers are no longer competing for something; they are just dancing together to have a good time. The look is also a lot more natural; girls wear their natural hair with lighter makeup. There is also a lot more of an emotional aspect in show dancing because a story is told through the dancing.  Whereas, in competitive dancing, dancers will smile and put on a show, but it is much more stiff and strict. 

Riverdance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTXPHhtvoGw&list=RDUTXPHhtvoGw&start_radio=1

Lord of the Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SvomcQ_gv4&list=RDmnS7SrK9GTk&index=10

The dance form itself becomes increasingly athletic and stylish over time. It has kept its traditional roots but also has changed immensely. Irish Dancers continue to defy limits and do moves at a level that no dancer has ever done.

After reading this article, you may think, “Oh, I’ve seen Irish Dancing on my TikTok/Instagram Feed.” The answer is yes, you have most likely seen the Gardiner Brothers or Cairde, who both went viral for dancing to “regular music” instead of traditional Irish music.

The Gardiner Brothers: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H3FITt2mMC0

Cairde: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ph1aGC5V5wo

Source:

https://emerald-heritage.com/blog/2018/how-irish-dancing-was-invented