Irish Dance

This book traces the history of dance in Ireland and reveals how Irish dance has survived centuries of emigration, invasion, and persecution. It is more than the history of dance, however, with chapters on music, dance costumes, competitions, and the phenomenal revival. The book also defines the social and cultural significance of dance in Ireland and among the Irish Diaspora. For the smitten fan of Irish dance, there are instructions and illustrated steps to two elementary dances.

Irish dance, which probably dates back to the Druids, is today on the universal stage and may be seen in the movie Titanic as well as in the mesmerizing stage shows Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. Much more than mere entertainment or spectator sport, Irish dance attracts more than 1,000 international competitors annually to the World Championships.