History of Irish Dance

Although history has recorded dancing and dances starting from the early dark age untill about 1500, the word dance (Dhamsa) first appeared in Irish literature at 1520. No one actually knows when dancing became a separate artform.  

The biggest influence in the formation of Irish dance was probably the "dancing master". They would travel from town to town, staying for a few weeks, teaching the people their dancing-steps. Sometimes dancing masters would compete with eachother for the right to teach in a certain area. 

In the 1700's the first Irish dance competition was mentioned. At the same time the Irish solo stepdances were developed. The Hornpipe,  (treble) Reel and (treble) Jig were the most popular dances. Some dances were not to be danced by the women, because it was "ungraceful" to sweat, so  instead they developed softshoe dances: the Reel and the graceful Slip Jig. (Women have now disregarded these traditions and also dance the Hornpipe and Jig). At this time, the dancing masters were travelling across the whole of Ireland. The characteristic 'dancing on the spot' of Irish stepdance came from these dancing masters. Most of them would dance on barrels or laid down doors to show off their skills. Nowadays dancers use the whole stage when dancing in competition. 

Many have wondered why irish dancers have to keep their arms strait against their bodies and so, many wonderful stories have an explanation for this. Of course, most of these stories have a knack of 'bending' reality a bit.......  :-)
It is told that Irish dancing was derived from castle-guards standing in their guardtowers. When they had to signal eachother, they did this by tapping (like irish dancers), but because there was almost no room in the tower they had to keep their arms strait against their bodies. Another, more realistic story is that the church had a great influence on the dancers posture. They did not want people to be able to touch eachother while they were dancing. Afterall, men and women, especially the young ones dancing were to behave "properly".

In several areas the women did not always keep their arms strait but sometimes place one hand on their hip. You can see this in Riverdance too. This would be done especially with the slip jig, because other dances were too 'jumpy'. Although this is not forbidden, it is rarely used in competition.