Local Dance

‘Tis many the pleasant evening that we spent at Rahilly’s cross, when worn out from the dancing we lay upon the grass. Listening to the music and the dancers true and mild, and to court the girls who loved the boys on the top of Inny side.’

Verse from ‘The top of Inny side’ in the Binneas Collection.

The Shrove time Set

The music for this set was transcribed from the renowned fiddle player Eugene O’Sullivan, Moulcore in 1926. The knowledge of this dance has been lost in the folk memory locally and to date the steps danced to the music has not surfaced.

"Down by the mill, my heart's there still
And to the valley down below
With The Fiddlers tune, and light of moon
I’ve danced upon green
To a Cailín true with eyes of blue
And skin as white as snow
I pledge my love 'neath the star above
To lovely, sweet Filemore."

Verse from a version of ‘Lovely sweet filemore’ in the Binneas Collection.

There is great interest in set dancing locally and many a persons social life revolves around it. The music for a number of sets are in the Binneas Collection and will feature here in the future.

There are two excellent publications explaining the figures and music for numerous set dances, many from this area.

Set Dances of Ireland (Tradition & Evolution)

Larry Lynch

Published by Séadna Books

ISBN 0-9514848-0-X Republic of Ireland

ISBN 0-9623366-0-2 United States of America