AMA ! - Irish dancing ☘️

[TheBigWig]

Haha apologies this might possibly be the dullest AMA topic in the world but oh well thought I’d give it a go!

im a retired world championship level competitive irish dancer (won’t say exact placing as I don’t want to get outted but I was top 10 in the worlds and all irelands, didn’t win either unfortunately but top 10 a few times)

just wondered if anyone had any questions about Irish dancing or competitive dancing in general?☘️ I recently saw a few posts on MN from parents looking for advice with dance class questions and advice so figured this post might help someone😊

This has made me smile. I’m almost 50 and danced as a child and probably stopped around the year 2000 when I was at uni and not near my classes. Back then we had no wigs. My hair is so straight I’d have bendy curlers put in on a Friday for a Sunday Feis. My sister had rags in her hair. We even dances without the curls on occasions. Our dresses were knee length and were too small at the length they seem to start these days. My mum sat in class and at home embroidering the Celtic patterns on my class dress (all matching) and we had those doily looking neck and arm pieces. When I eventually got my solo dress there was a bit of a thing about going over to Ireland to have it made. We couldn’t afford that so we bought the first one second hand, lovely velvet. My sister still has it. I then went on to design my own and had a local dressmaker put it together. I went for the colours that are opposite on the colour wheel for impact and did have a few stones. My knickers matched the lining. When I was older I was allowed to trade my poodle socks in for black tights. We didn’t wear make up at all never mind fake tan. And I’m a typical dark hair pale skin type!

I only danced in local comps as my parents didn’t want to travel to nationals or words etc. we couldn’t afford it. Although I am a traditional musician too and we didn’t over to Ireland a few times for competitions for that. Less expensive though!!

I still have all my medals and trophies from my younger years. I recently joined an adult class now I’m about to turn 50. Need the exercise and missed it. By gosh it was hard work the first time I went back. Couldn’t walk for a week. Different teacher so new steps to learn. Still have some muscle memory for the odd traditional set like St Patrick’s day.

My kids tried it when they were little but then Covid hit and they never went back. They don’t have the same love of traditional music that I have grown up with. Their dad is in a rock band. However since I rejoined as an adult they have both decided to give it a try again. They already do musical theatre and I think it’s a good additional style to have if they want to try and keep it up. My youngest already had an expensive hobby (horse riding) so I’m hoping she might just dance for fun rather than for the whole competition and costume side of things.

I loved Irish dancing as a child but have often wondered why there's no adult classes. Not for competitions but purely for fitness.

There's classes for every other type of dsnve & sport.

Any idea why that is?

Irish dancing was real target in the Sixties for the English to make fun of. A bit of a joke really tbh

Comments Such as they look dead from the neck down abounded.

But is was hugely competetive and very popular in England with the Irah Community.

Of course, Riverdance revolutionised this perception for the better. And showed just how talented these dancers are

However, this wig thing is really naff and reminds me of something from a cheap pantomine.

Not a great look

Thank you for your kind and helpful reply. That is encouraging 😊

There are quite a few popping up now. Some of the bigger school are now offering adult classes- both competitive and non competitive. I’ve seen a huge increase in these recently.

You’re very welcome ☺️

Will there ever be an Irish dancer good enough to add the arms in, or is that like the quintuple loop in ice skating; beyond any human’s ability?

It’s not about being good enough. It’s just not part of the structure of solo Irish dancing. You lose marks for poor carriage and arm movements.

There is a freestyle competition at the worlds where you can use arms and the group dances have intricate arm movements.

My friend used to call it Dancing for Phone Boxes" - cracks me up. I have tried to find a video of someone doing it in a phone box but to no avail - I think it would be hilarious!

Has there ever been any recent movement within the sport to go back to the more natural look. Surely the governing body could take that on.

Like others I remember the girls in the 70s &’80s doing it without looking like drag / pageant queens. I have one school friend whose daughter competes to high level. Breaks my heart seeing her in the get up.

Agree. My daughter did Irish dancing aged 10 -17. We don't have any Irish heritage but she already did clog dancing so wanted to try out a different type of step dancing. She didn't do any external competitions but the annual comp was something of a nightmare that noone woold miss 😀Focus was more on performance than competition. There were all sorts of girls & boys of varying talent, aged 3 - 18. She had a great time. She went to Ireland two or three times & Belgium once.

Yes, I was making a joke.

It didn’t read like that - sorry 🤷‍♀️

E.Q?