Author: maldonm

• Full instructions Set Dancing Teacher Page
• Full instructions Dance Minder Page

Ballyvourney Jig Set Playlist

Ballyvourney Jig Set

• Printable Document
• Printable Spreadsheet

Slide Steps

Footwork Playlist

Helpful Links

The Clare Lancers is one of my favorite dances. It was one of the first sets I memorized and also one of the first dances that our Portland, Oregon community really got down pat. I think part of the reason is that we were able to dance it so often, since it’s danced entirely to reels. We frequently had the chance to dance to live music at our monthly dances and at the pub. The band would play reels, and we’d dance as many figures as we could until the music stopped. In contrast, other dances might switch tune types, so we could only dance the figures that fit with whatever the band was playing.

As a dance nerd, I remember talking with Rick and Judy Russell to make t-shirts with shorthand on the back. The idea was that each of us could have a figure on the back of our shirt, and if we needed a refresher, we could simply turn around. I really wish I still had those shirts!

A bit more about the Clare Lancers: It’s traditionally danced in a smooth style with no battering. The movements flow seamlessly into each other, and this smoothness really highlights the beauty of the dance. That said, if you look at how it’s danced today, particularly in the revival, there are a variety of styles and footwork variations. For example, as of 2025, dancers are incorporating a turn movement in the second figure instead of the traditional “pull past” with their partner. They keep turning without letting go.

I remember dancing in the late ’90s or early 2000s at a summer school in Ireland, where we were doing the Clare Lancers at the evening ceili. A group of exceptional dancers, including Ger Butler, was in the set next to mine. During the advance and retire, they threw their legs up high, kicking them before retiring. It looked so cool and was a far cry from what I had expected when I first learned this set in America from a book. Being in my 20’s and seeing other dancers close to my age inspired me.

These dances are alive, and they continue to be a vibrant part of our tradition. That said, I think it’s valuable to know how they were originally danced, as well as how they can be danced today. A good rule of thumb is to go with the flow and read the room. If you’re outside our community, observe what others are doing. If you see something you like, try it out. This is probably one of the reasons we have so many variations on the original three sets. Plus, it’s hard to remember everything, so a variation might emerge based on what someone remembers. This is a living breathing tradition.

Video

Intro & footwork

Figure 1 – Square Reels 160

Figure 2 – 4 turns Reels 192

Figure 3 – Big Christmas Reels 144

Figure 4 – Little Christmas Reels 192

Figure 5 – Chain & line up Reels 192

Whole Playlist

This playlist includes each figure danced individually, as well as the full dance performed at a ceili with multiple sets on the floor. You’ll see how the sets align during movements like advance and retire, making for an exciting visual. There’s also a music-only section for focused listening or dancing along. Enjoy!

Clare Lancers Set

• Printable Document
• Printable Spreadsheet

Clare Lancers

• Start: Lead Around Turn the follow & Swing
• Figure: changes each figure
• Transition: Swing, but not always
• Finish: House
• Step: smooth reel step (up reel step), smooth advance & retire step

Figure 1 Square Reels 160

Active	Lead & Opposite follow pass L turn (4) and swing (4)	8
	Square (like a 4 hand chain without hands)	8
All	Swing corner	8
	Swing own	8
	1ST T/2ND T/1ST S/2ND S

Figure 2 4 turns Reels 192

Active	House inside	8
	R in R turn follow 4x	8
	Pull past, pass back (opposite couple split)	8
All	Lines Advance & retire 2x  (second time: outside couple stay in, inside couples retire)	8
	Swing	8
	1ST T/2ND T/1ST S/2ND S

Figure 3 Big Christmas Reels 144

Follows	Advance & Retire	8
Leads	Advance, retire, advance, lead around position	8
All	Lead around	8
	Christmas (8 bars each direction)	16
	Swing	8
	Repeat 2x

Figure 4 Little christmas Reels 192

Active	House inside	8
Active couples	Lead to left (follows on inside)	8
All	Star R with side couple	8
	Little Christmas	8
	Swing at home	8
	1ST T/2ND T/1ST S/2ND S (2nd and 4th time lead to right leads inside)

Figure 5 Chain & line up Reels 192

All	Chain	8
	Line up behind Active & Slide (Follows R/Leads L)	8
	Lines Advance 2x
	Dance to your partner (4) Swing (4)
	Repeat 4x

Music

Playlist

This dance is traditionally dance with the smooth step and no percussive battering. Today it is danced in many ways.

Footwork Playlist

This is a deeper dive into Clare Battering and might not be the best steps for this set as it’s usually danced smooth. While not traditaional, I sometimes use the Clare battering step #1 for the 4 turns as well as some of the advance and retire steps for the lines advancing.

Map

Close up of County Clare

Full Map of Counties

Resources

• Full instructions Set Dancing Teacher Page
• Full instructions Dance Minder Page
• Music and publications for the Clare Lancers Set
• Printable Document – Maldon’s simple version
• Printable Spreadsheet – Maldon’s simple version

• Full instructions Set Dancing Teacher Page
• Full instructions Dance Minder Page

Caledonian Set Playlist

Caledonian Set

• Printable Document
• Printable Spreadsheet

Clare Battering Steps

Footwork Playlist

Helpful Links