Author: maldonm

Resources

• Instructions
  • Armagh Lancers instructions – Maldon’s Printable Word Document
    This sheet provides simple calls rather than detailed descriptions. It’s designed to be clear and concise, making it ideal for those who are already familiar with the dance and just need a quick reference to remember what move comes next. This format helps keep things straightforward without any unnecessary details.
  • Armagh Lancers Instructions – This version differs from what’s in Pat Murphy’s book. It’s based on a resource from a 1993 workshop, so you may notice some variations. The authors, Danny and Joan Hathaway, included helpful notes that aren’t in Pat Murphy’s version, which provide additional insights. The dance was passed on to them by Mick O’Callaghan and George McCombe in 1979. The main differences I noticed are:
    • The active lead dances the first figure instead of the active follow.
    • The “Big Christmas” lasts for 8 bars each direction, rather than 4 bars.
• Music
  • Publications and Music for the Armagh Lancers
  • Scrap Set resources for the Armagh Lancers – not that some of these are incorrect so if you are using this be sure to double check things.
• Video
  • Youtube playlist for the Armagh Lancers
• Books
  • This set appears in Pat Murphy, The Flowing Tide, p 37. Pat got the set from Patrick’s O’Dea.

Videos

Figure 1 Square Jigs 136

Figure 2 Square & Line Jig or Single Reel 136

Figure 3 Big/Little Christmas Jigs 136

This is the same group but a better recording and demo of this figure. Notice that they have taped a square on the floor and are mostly dancing in that size of space.

Figure 4 Follows Star Jigs 136

Figure 5 Chain & Line up Jig or Hornpipe 168

Full playlist with other dance references and videos:

Armagh Lancers Set

• Start: none
• Transition: none
• Finish: none
• Step: down jig
• Swing: waltz hold
• Sides: first sides on left

Figure 1 Square Jigs 136

Active Follow	& Opposite advance & swing (waltz hold)	8
Active couples	Square (pass r only)	8
All	Swing corner	8
	Swing partner at home	8
	(1ST T/2ND T/1ST S/2ND S)

Figure 2 Square & Line Jig or Single Reel 136

Active	R in R Advance & turn as retire & swing	8
Active couples	Square (inactive couple split)	8
	Lines Advance & Retire	8
	Swing partner at home	8
	(1ST T/2ND T/1ST S/2ND S)

Figure 3 Big/Little Christmas Jigs 136

All	Big Christmas – left (4) right (4)	8
Active couples	Visitation	8
All	R star with corner	8
	Little Christmas open up  (inactive couple on right)	8
	Big Christmas R foot (4) & Switch L foot (4) break away
	Repeat (actives are in opposite positions now) (T/T/S/S)

Figure 4 Follows Star Jigs 136

Follow	Advance 2x	8
Leads	Advance 2x	8
Follows	R Star (Leads dance on outside going r)	8
All	Swing (Follows moving to R)	8
	(Repeat 4x)

Figure 5 Chain & Line up Jig or Hornpipe 168

All	Chain (12) & Line up (waist hold behind active couple) (4)	8
	Weave Cast off solo in to lines	8
	Lines Advance	8
	Swing at home (dance to your partner & swing)	8
	(1ST T/1ST 2/2ND S/2ND T)

Music

If you dance the set straight though here are some nice musical options.

• 660 bars (extra A – 10 tunes played 2x each except the last one played 3x) – This option is fantastic as the tune change happens each time it’s the sides turn to do the figure.
• 660 bars (extra A – 5 tunes played 4x each except the last one played 5x). This ends up being on tune per figure and the tune change happens when it’s the 1st tops turn. Musically and dance wise this could help the dancers stay on track and the tune changes with the figure at the same time. Also very cool.
• If you dance each figure on it’s own they are each 2 tunes 2x each or 1 tune 4x, every figure needs an extra A. The last figure is the exception it’s 5 times though a tune with an extra A or 2 tunes (2x and 3 x) again with the extra A.
• My spreadsheet is easer to read.

Armagh Lancers Music Playlist on Spotify
At the moment, there isn’t a band that has recorded a specific track for this dance. So, I’ve put together a “scrap set” playlist on Spotify. While the titles of the figures may not match, the tune types and lengths are perfect for the Armagh Lancers and are in order of the dance. Enjoy!

Steps

Down Jig Step or 3’s

The step used in this dance is the “down jig step”, also referred to as the traveling step or 3’s. The leads start on the left foot, and the follows start on the right.

Advance and Retire Step

We also use the advance and retire step in this set, you can use your 3’s from above or use this pattern. The step, step, step, lift, back, back, 1-2-3. Again leads start on left foot and follows start on right foot. When standing next to your partner, facing into the set, your lifting foot will be on the inside of the two of you.

We use the down jig step for the Armagh Lancers and many other jig figures. I have included here the 3’s and the advance retire step we covered in class.

Battering Jig Steps

This is a playlist of lots of different jigs steps with more advanced battering. They can be used in other jigs sets as well.

History

If you keep scrolling you will find some footwork videos on this tab as well as a video explaining the similarities between the Clare Lancers and the Armagh Lancers, which both come from the original Second Set of Quadrilles -Lancers.

We’ll start with the Armagh Lancers, from the north. If you’re familiar with the Clare Lancers, you’ll notice some similarities. Sets based on the original Lancers set typically feature lines often in the 2nd and 5th figures, and a “Christmas” movement in the 3rd and/or 4th figures. This set follows that pattern.

I’m excited to introduce this dance to our community—it’s a lovely jig set, and we don’t have many jig sets in our local repertoire. To see Armagh on the map of Ireland, click on the Ireland tab.

In Pat Murphy’s book, he shares this about the set: “This lovely old set, similar to the Second (Lancer) Set of Quadrilles, was given to me by Aleta Hancock from Los Angeles, who learned it from Patrick O’Dea during his workshop there in April 1999.”

For those of you going to Ireland this summer and learning from Pat Murphy, I have a homework assignment: Ask Pat about this set! Or, if you meet Patrick O’Dea, ask him if they have any additional information or know where in Armagh it originates.

NOTE: While reviewing the dance, I realized I made an error when teaching the “square” movement. If you recall, it was difficult to navigate the square with the jig step. We should have danced the square, passing everyone by the right shoulder the whole time, instead of alternating between right and left. I’ll go over this again when we meet. The good news is that this adjustment will make it much easier to move around the square and reach your corner.

In the document I adapted Betty’s fabulous term of “visitation“ for the movement in the 3rd Figure of “Big/little Christmas. She called the move Visitation which is so perfect! It’s the move where you Advance to the center, then advance to the side couple on your right and then back up into the opposite position and advance to the side couple on right. Here is that move demonstrated.

This next video shows the Clare Lancers and the Armagh Lancers side by side, allowing you to compare the similarities and differences between the two dances.