Traditional Set Dances vs. Modern Set Dances: One of Irish Dance's Most Fascinating Traditions
Once dancers have mastered their reels, jigs, and hornpipes, they eventually discover one of the most exciting parts of Irish step dancing: set dances.
Set dances are solo hard shoe dances performed to specific pieces of music. Unlike reels or hornpipes, which can be danced to many different tunes, every set dance has its own dedicated melody, rhythm, and character.
There are two categories of set dances:
Traditional Set Dances
Modern Set Dances
While both showcase powerful hard shoe technique and musicality, they have very different histories and traditions.
What is a Set Dance?
A set dance is a choreographed solo danced to one specific tune. The choreography is divided into two parts:
The Step – introducing the rhythm and character of the dance.
The Set – the second half, where dancers interpret the music with expressive rhythms and intricate footwork. (often referred to as the ‘second step’, by dancers familiar with this title from their first solo dances)
Unlike the other solo dances, where dancers perform choreography created by their teacher, set dances are closely connected to their music and history.
Traditional Set Dances
Traditional set dances are among the oldest surviving dances in Irish step dancing. Their music dates back hundreds of years and has been passed down through generations of musicians and dancers. Some of the best-known traditional set dances include:
St. Patrick's Day
The Blackbird
Garden of Daisies
Job of Journeywork
King of the Fairies
Three Sea Captains
Jockey to the Fair
Each dance is always performed to its own traditional tune. For example, St. Patrick's Day is always danced to the tune of the same name. No substitutions are made, and dancers throughout the world recognize the melody almost instantly.
Why Might Traditional Set Dances Look Different Between Schools?
One of the most fascinating parts of Irish dance history is that there is no single "correct" choreography for many traditional set dances. Long before dance organizations existed, Irish dancing was taught by travelling dance masters who moved from village to village throughout Ireland. Each teacher developed their own versions of the dances, passing them directly to their students. Over generations, these regional styles became family traditions that were carefully preserved.
Today, dancers may perform:
Different opening movements
Different rhythms
Different endings
Different foot placements
Different timing within the music
... while still dancing the very same traditional tune. For example, two dancers competing St. Patrick's Day may both be performing authentic versions of the dance—even though the choreography may look completely different. Many of these variations can be traced back to famous teaching lineages or dance master traditions, often coming from counties such as Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Galway, and Dublin. Rather than being "wrong," these differences celebrate the rich heritage of Irish dance and the generations of teachers who helped preserve it. For competition purposes, some Irish dance organizations have selected one version for all dancers to compete. This standardization makes it easier for judges to verify accuracy of steps and score dancers on stage.
Modern Set Dances
Modern set dances were created much more recently. Rather than being handed down over centuries, these dances were choreographed specifically for competition and performance. Teachers create original choreography while dancing to a designated set tune. Popular modern set dances include:
The Drunken Gauger
Planxty Drury
The Lodge Road
Kilkenny Races
Hurry the Jug
Madame Bonaparte
Crosskeys
White Blanket
The Orange Rogue
Each modern set also has its own assigned piece of music, but the choreography is not bound by centuries of tradition. This allows teachers to create routines that best suit their dancers' strengths while interpreting the music creatively.
The Importance of Musical Interpretation
Set dances are about far more than simply executing difficult footwork. Judges look for dancers who truly understand the music. Successful set dancers demonstrate:
Strong rhythm
Precise timing
Dynamic changes in speed and power
Confidence
Expression
Musical interpretation
Every click, beat, pause, and treble should match the phrasing of the tune. As dancers progress, they learn that performing a set dance is almost like having a conversation with the music.
Why Dancers Love Set Dances
Many advanced dancers consider set dances their favourite part of Irish dance. Unlike other competition dances that emphasize speed and stamina, set dances reward maturity, artistry, musical understanding, and individual style. They give dancers the opportunity to slow down, listen carefully to the music, and showcase years of technical training through carefully controlled rhythms.
Keeping Irish Dance History Alive
Traditional set dances are living pieces of Irish history. Every time a dancer performs St. Patrick's Day, The Blackbird, or King of the Fairies, they are continuing traditions that have been passed from teacher to student for generations. Modern set dances, meanwhile, show that Irish dance continues to evolve, blending centuries-old music with fresh choreography and creative interpretation.
Together, traditional and modern sets remind us that Irish dance is both an art form rooted in history and one that continues to grow with each new generation of dancers. Whether preserving a centuries-old step or performing a newly choreographed set, every dancer becomes part of the ongoing story of Irish dance.