Types of Irish Dances (Junior Cert Music): Revision Notes

Types of Irish Dances

• Irish traditional music is closely connected to dance and social gatherings.
• In the 18th century, dancing was popular at weddings and local events, often led by travelling dance masters accompanied by a fiddler or piper.
• In rural Ireland, dancing at the crossroads remained popular until the 1950s.
• Today, Irish dance music is often performed in concert settings, where it is played for listening rather than dancing. This has influenced the way musicians approach tempo, tune combinations, and performance style.
• Each type of Irish dance has its own rhythm, time signature, and feel. The most common types are the Jig, Reel, and Hornpipe.

1. The Jig

The Jig is the oldest type of Irish dance music and is written in 6/8 time. It has a lively, bouncing feel and is counted in two beats per bar, each divided into three quavers (1-2-3, 4-5-6).

Types of Jigs:

• Single Jig – 6/8 time, mostly quavers.
• Double Jig – 6/8 time, features a mix of crotchets and quavers.
• Slip Jig – 9/8 time, with a flowing, graceful rhythm.

Famous Examples:

• The Lark in the Morning
• Morrison's Jig
• The Butterfly (Slip Jig)
• Riverdance (opening section) Mnemonic for counting: "Rashers and sausages" (fits the jig rhythm).

---

2. The Reel

• The Reel is the most popular and widely played Irish dance tune.
• It originated in Scotland and was later adopted into Irish tradition.
• Although written in 4/4 time, reels are often played in 2/2 (cut time), meaning two strong beats per bar instead of four.
• Reels have a driving, steady rhythm with a continuous flow of quavers.
• Time Signature: 4/4

Famous Examples:

• Drowsy Maggie
• The Mason's Apron
• The Wind That Shakes the Barley
• Toss the Feathers Mnemonic for counting: "Black-and-decker, black-and-decker" (fits the reel's even rhythm).

---

3. The Hornpipe

• The Hornpipe is the slowest of the three main dance types.
• It is written in 4/4 time but is played with a dotted rhythm, meaning the first note is longer than the second (giving a bouncy feel).
• This allows dancers to perform complex footwork.
• Hornpipes often feature triplets and usually end with three strong crotchets in the last bar of each section.
• Time Signature: 4/4 (but with a dotted rhythm)

Famous Examples:

• The Harvest Home
• King of the Fairies Mnemonic for counting: "Will-ya wash the bloomin' dishes" (matches the dotted rhythm).

---

Modern Influences on Irish Dance Music

• In concert settings, dance music is often performed at different tempos than in traditional dancing. For example:
• Hornpipes are sometimes played more slowly for listening purposes.
• Slip jigs are often followed by reels, creating a contrast between slow and fast sections.
• Musicians frequently combine multiple tunes of the same dance type together, known as a set.
• These changes reflect how modern bands experiment with Irish dance music to keep it engaging for both listeners and dancers.

---

Céilí Bands

• Céilí bands became popular in the early 20th century, as the Gaelic League promoted group dancing. The first céilí bands featured:
  • Piano
  • Snare drum
  • Accordion
• As venues grew larger, céilí bands expanded to include:
  • Fiddles
  • Flutes
  • Banjos
  • Even saxophones in some cases
• Today, céilí bands exist both for dancing and for listening. One of the most famous céilí bands still performing today is the Kilfenora Céilí Band.