intro
The month of April we will be learning sets from Connemara.
Irish Set Dancing
Saturday 4-6pm
Waverly United Church of Christ
3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR, United States, Oregon
$10 general, $5 students
Last Saturday Céilí ~ 4-7 ~ Live Music
week 1
WEEK 1 | Class notes
Saturday April 1, 2023
Our set of the week is: The Connemara Set
Footwork for the Connemara. The Connemara step and the stamp and stamp step. The stamp and stamp step can help you travel when you are first starting out it might be hard to travel across the floor and I find this step easer to move further. I used it for years until I was able to dance the Connemara step fully.
Connemara Set
The Connemara set is a nice 4 figure set. The first sides are on the right of first tops.
We reviewed the Seit Doire Cholmcille (Derry Set). We covered this dance in February. Videos and instructions can be found on the February class page under the week 1 tab.
We also danced 3 figures of the Inis Oirr Set.
week 2
WEEK 2 | Class notes
Sat. April 8, 2023
Set of the Week: The Claddagh Set
This another Connemara set. It was taught by Seamus O Meoloid a great set dancer and Sean-nós dancer. The set was revived in Ráth Chairn, Co. Meath. There is a Gaeltacht in Ráth Chairn.
“n 1935 a number of families from the Connemara Gaeltacht were transplanted east to Ráth Chairn to live on land acquired by the Land Commission. It continues today as a thriving Gaeltacht, where Irish is spoken and its traditions embraced through dance and music.” from Ireland XO.
My hope is to keep working on this set and have become one of Portland’s regular dances.
- Instructions Claddagh
- Callers notes for the Claddagh Set – this is a google document. You can make a copy and save it and print it for your reference.
If there is time we will review the Connemara and The Derry set.
week 3
WEEK 3 | Class notes
Sat. April 15, 2023
Our set of the week is: Foraer a Neaintín (Connemara Jig)
- Instructions Foraer a Neaintín (Connemara Jig)
- the dancing in this video is not great, but it is the only one I can find at this time.
If there is time we will review the Claddagh set.
Week 4
WEEK 4 | Class notes
Sat. April 22 2023
Mini Céilí
- The Connemara
- Foraer a Neaintín (Connemara Jig)
- Inis Oirr
- Claddagh Set
We might not get to them all but we will try.
Quarterly Rambling House
Saturday Rambling House (Bealtaine)
- Saturday, April 29, 2023
- 4:00 PM 10:00 PM
- Waverly UCC (map)
Quarterly CCE open house and fundraising event. Our quarterly Saturday Rambling House returns for an half-day event featuring a General Meeting of the branch followed by instrumental sessions, singing circles, and music & dance workshops. Potluck and full céilí dance to follow! This is a great opportunity to introduce members of the wider Portland community to Irish cultural traditions while bolstering our current MÓD community with convivial conversation, moving music, superb singing, deft dancing, and FOOD!
