overview
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
Video
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!
callers notes
Clare Lancers Set
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
| 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 |
| 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
Music
steps
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
Map
Close up of County Clare
Full Map of Counties
resources
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
