​Levels and Competitions, Part 1
 
Many of our parents and dancers here at SRL are fully aware of all the ins and outs of Irish dance, and this post isn’t really for them (unless they’ve always been a little fuzzy on some of it—we won’t tell! It’s complicated!) This post is for our Beginner parents, our dancers just getting excited about maybe competing one day, or even the parent just browsing out our website for the first time. (If that’s you, check out our four previous posts here to catch you up to the present in Irish dance’s history!) 
 
A little recap: It was the Gaelic revival in the late 19th century, and the forming of the Conradh na Gaeilge (Gaelic League) in 1893, that helped Irish dance truly begin its journey from unrecorded folk tradition to the international, competitive art form it is today. With the League’s creation of a governing body specific to dance in the 1930s (Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha—aka The Irish Dancing Commission or CLRG—still the primary governing body of Irish dance today,) Irish Dance Masters became a legitimate authority on a world stage (no pun intended.) The world of Irish dance as we know it today was built on this bedrock: the CLRG set down a series of rules and regulations to govern and standardize Irish dance (everything from steps and form to certifications for teachers.) This led to the creation of competitive opportunities to elevate its reputation, preserve and promote Irish culture, and nurture the art. And those competitions, rules, and regulations are what we’re here to discuss with you today!
 
Feis Out the Best
 
We’ve discussed feis and feiseanna (pronounced fesh and fesh-anna) before in this series—meaning simply “festival(s)”—they’re a long-standing tradition meant to celebrate and preserve Irish culture. Feiseanna today are still much the same (though in the dance world, they may only be a dance competition and not have as many outside vendors,) and vary in size: dance academies often hold inter-school class feiseanna, but there are also larger, regional feiseanna all over the world. These competitions are divided by both age and skill level (discussed next week!) and competitors are judged on a variety of technical and stylistic concerns such as timing, turn out, foot placement, deportment, choreography, rhythm…the list could fill this entire post.

​To put this all as simply as possible: dancers compete in multiple different dances divided into two major categories: hard shoe and soft shoe. From those larger categories, more specific ones emerge based on the music and its timing, in three broad categories: jig, reel, and hornpipe (though the slip jig is completely unique in Irish music and dance with a 9/8 time signature—we’ll explain further below!) Soft shoe dances include the reel, the light jig, the slip jig, and the single or hop jig, while hard shoe dances include the treble or double jig, hornpipe, and treble reel. Most feiseanna will have dancers beyond the earliest levels compete in soft shoe rounds, hard shoe rounds, and then a final round that’s often hard shoe, and often a set dance (more about that below.) Some feiseanna will include team or cèili (pronounced kay-lee) dances, as well.
 
But how does a dancer get to be a competitor? Dancers begin preparing for competition at the earliest levels: every move they learn in their Beginner later becomes part of a dance. Beginners start with the basic reel and jig. Once a dancer has mastered these basic steps and has good control of their technique, they begin learning hard shoe with the treble jig (essentially a hard shoe version of the jig they’ve already mastered and know the music for—but with hard shoe skills and movements instead!) Hornpipe and traditional set dances are added as a dancer progresses in their hard shoe technique.
 
Each dancer will gradually add more complexity to these basic dances, differing in rhythm and timing, as they develop as dancers—for example: over time, the basic steps of the reel, light jig, and slip jig are upgraded with more difficult choreography. Traditional set dances are unique, tune-specific dances that were choreographed long ago by Dance Masters in Ireland to exactly match the music. They have titles such as “St. Patrick’s Day,” or “Garden of Daisies,” and are largely universal around the world (though there are slight regional and studio variations.) This is different to other types of dances (reel, jig, slip jig, treble jig, and hornpipe) that are unique to each school. This is why (well, at least until 2020 forced many competitions online) videotaping Irish dance competitions has always been forbidden—you have to protect that choreography!

What the layperson needs to understand in order to hear the differences in dances/music really comes down to is the timing: different dances have differences in their beats per bar of music, as well as different emphasized beats. Here’s a little breakdown of the major groupings, though further designations into dances have even further and more complicated variations (check out a musical theory breakdown of each one here and click on each type of music to hear an example!):
 
Reels: 4/4 time signature and will probably sound the most “normal” to a non-dancer as the beats are evenly emphasized. Can be detected if you can say “double decker, double decker” in time with the music.
 
Jigs: 6/8 time signature, i.e. three beats per bar with the 1 and 3 emphasized (non-Irish dancers will recognized this as a waltz.) Detected by non-dancers by saying “carrots and cabbages, carrots and cabbages” in time to the music. Includes light jigs and treble jigs, but not slip jigs!
 
Slip Jigs: 9/8 time signature, i.e. similar to the above jig but with three beats per bar and three eight notes in one beat (with the emphasis on the 5 and 9 beats.)  This one can give a lot of dancers some difficulties at first—it has an almost rolling sound to it!
 
Hornpipes: 4/4 time signature, like the reel, but with the 1 and 3 beats emphasized. There’s more variation here, but many hornpipes can be detected with “humpty-dumpty, humpty-dumpty.”
 
Next week, tune in to the blog for the purpose of feiseanna competitions (besides fun!): rising through the levels or “grades.”

This post is part of a series. Read more about how Irish dance's iconic form developed here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Name: Christian Cairone TCRG
 
Position: Instructor
 
How long have you been working at SRL?
 
Almost 2 years.
 
Why SRL?
 
I loved the atmosphere that Courtney had created and wanted to be a part of the team.
 
How long have you been dancing?
 
I was a competitive dancer for 20 years, but I've been dancing since I was 3.
Why Irish dance?
 
My older brother saw Riverdance on TV and wanted to start doing it. I went to the first practice and was hooked. My teacher at the time didn't allow for children to dance at 2, so I would go to class and dance in the back of the room doing everything everyone was doing in class. My teacher let me start the following year and I haven't looked back!
 
What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why? 
 
I always wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved animals so much growing up.
 
What are you interested in that most people aren’t?
 
Star Wars and culinary arts.
 
What weird food combination do you enjoy?
 
As a chef I love many different flavor combos, but the strangest might just be: a piece of toast with peanut butter, topped with an over-easy egg. (Trust me, you need to try it!)
 
How has dance affected your everyday life?
 
Dance has given me the ability to have friends all around the world that share the same love and passion for Irish dance that I do.
 
What’s the coolest place you’ve ever visited? (Remember travel?!)
 
The Azores, which is a subsection of islands off the coast of Portugal.
 
What movie can you watch over and over and never get tired of? Why?
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas. It was a story my grandfather would read to me all the time when I was a kid and whenever I watch it I always remember him and the different ways he would tell the story.
 
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? 
 
I would love to time travel! 
 
Why do you think people dance?
 
I believe there are many reasons behind why people dance, including because friends or family members did it in the past or currently do it now. But I think that some people dance for the same reason I did: for a way to escape reality from time to time. I remember going to the studio, totally forgetting about the outside world, and just living in the moment that was happening throughout dance class. 
 
What advice do you have for aspiring dancers?
 
The best advice I have is this: "Believing in yourself is the first step to achieving greatness."
 
This post is the last in the series (at least for now!) Meet our whole staff: Courtney, Bailey, Codi, Devon (and, of course, Christian, above,) through their Q&As. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

​Dr. James Barry
 
In 1809, a short, slight man named James Barry boarded a boat in his hometown of Cork and set sail to Edinburgh where he planned on enrolling in medical college. Barry’s previously affluent family had fallen on hard times—his father had been let go from his position due to rampant anti-Catholic sentiments and eventually landed in a debtor’s prison. At nineteen, Barry had been well-educated by his tutors with the intention of becoming a tutor himself—but with no work experience and a disgraced family name, there was no work to be had.
 
Barry’s height, soft voice, and delicate features (hard to see in the not particularly skilled portrait that’s our only image of Barry from the time period, featured here) led many to believe that Barry was lying about his age once he reached Edinburgh. While the faculty there had let Barry in to study, they were reluctant to let him take his final exams to become a doctor. Luckily, a friend of the family, the Earl of Buchan, vouched for the young man, and in 1913 Barry went to London (where his family now lived) to pass his exams and become Dr. James Barry at the age of 22.

And it’s a good thing he did: Dr. James Barry’s fifty-plus year long career as a military doctor proved to be an illustrious one. He entered the service as an officer and quickly rose in the ranks to eventually become Inspector General in charge of all military hospitals—a role equivalent to Brigadier General. While his personality left much to be desired—there’s the complaints about him Florence Nightingale made in her diary (she thought him “a brute,”) as well as his court-martials and duels—Barry was a surgeon of unprecedented skill. Most notably, while stationed in Cape Town, South Africa in 1820s, he performed the first successful caesarian section where the mother and child both survived in modern history. His legacy also includes his tireless efforts in sanitation reform, as well as better medical practices and care for soldiers, military families, prisoners, lepers, and all other underserved communities before his death in 1859. Many are still benefitting because of his efforts till this day.
 
And that would be the end of Dr. James Barry’s story, if it wasn’t for a charwoman who didn’t follow instructions. Barry left some specific last wishes: to be buried in the clothes he died in, with his body unwashed. But when the woman tasked with laying out the dead reached Barry, she stripped the body to prepare him for burial and found something shocking: Dr. James Barry not only had female anatomy, but stretch marks that implied she had once carried a child.

While Barry’s colleagues and friends were perfectly happy to keep this fact to themselves, (Barry’s doctor, Major D.R. McKinnon, said in a letter that it was “none of [his] business” if Barry was actually female,) the revelation was leaked to the press and became a sensation. Many people claimed to have known the whole time, but it’s equally possible no one did: when Barry entered the military in his twenties, he entered as an officer, which requires no medical exam. Of course, we have accounts of Barry’s effeminate nature, but that brash personality seemed to have swayed a lot of people away from the truth.
 
However, the entire story above does stand as truth except for one thing: Barry’s name. Barry was actually born Margaret Ann Bulkley and only became James Barry when a number of liberal-minded family friends and mentors (including the Earl of Buchan, from earlier!) decided Margaret’s intelligence would be wasted as only a wife and hatched a plan that fooled the world for 56 years. Dr. James Barry remains one of the most accomplished humanitarians and surgeons of the 1800s, no matter their gender—we can just add the first female doctor in the UK and Ireland to their long list of accolades!
​
This post is part of a series. Read more about Ireland's history by reading about ancient Irish Yule traditions here, here, and here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why? 
 
 I would love to mind read... it would have been super helpful to know what the judges were thinking while I was dancing! Now as a journalism major, I would love to know what my sources are really thinking when I ask them a question. 

​What was your favorite SRL memory? 
 
My favorite memory was competing at my final North American Championships in 2018. It was probably the most fun I have ever had at a competition and I danced my personal best. While I fell just short of my goal, I admire the work I put in from January to competition day to put my best foot forward and succeed. However, I miss the daily classes the most. Seeing my friends and classmates always brightened my day and you never really knew what was going to happen that day! There were always plenty of jokes to go around! 
 
How do you think your time at SRL positively affects your everyday life as an adult? 
 
As an adult, my time at SRL taught me the value of time management, passion and persistence. Until college, I was a multi-sport athlete, competitive dancer and a participant in various other extracurricular activities. I learned quickly how to manage my school load with these other commitments to keep everything in balance. I hold myself to a high standard to do everything the best I can, so being able to manage that while maintaining a passion for the sport taught me so much. Today, I approach everything I do with passion and persistence while remembering I have to manage my time well to accomplish all of my goals. 
 
What’s the most important quality to have in life? 
 
The most important quality to have in life is to be hardworking. Without some level of hard work or effort, you will never reach your full potential. Talent can only get you so far. Hard work gets you to the finish line. 

This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with another former dancer, Lindsey H., here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

 Check out our first ten fun facts here!
 
1. The Wild Atlantic Way is the longest, uninterrupted coastal driving route in the world. Officially opened in 2014 by the Irish tourism board, the route covers the entire west coast of the country, from the border of Northern Ireland all the way to (almost!) Cork. Passing through three provinces and nine counties, the route displays some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery.
 
2. As Dracula is set largely in England, most people don’t realize its author, Bram Stoker, is an Irishman. In fact, the character of Dracula and this concept of vampires that became our standard was based on the Irish legend of the Abhartach.
 
3. The Titanic was built in Ireland—in Belfast at the Harland and Wolff shipyard, specifically. Pre-COVID, there was even a large, interactive, narrative monument and museum dedicated to Belfast’s shipbuilding called “Titanic Belfast.” (Miss Courtney's been!)

​4. While we tend to think of it as an “Irish accent,” there’s really hundreds of Irish accents, all specific to different areas, education levels, and classes, with a variety of complex, social histories behind them. (Though phonologists tend to divide all these varieties into 3-5 larger groupings.)
 
5. The Croaghaun Cliffs on Achill Island in County Mayo are the third highest sea cliffs in all of Europe at 752 meters (that’s about half a mile!) Only Hornelen in Norway (860 meters) and Cape Enniberg on the Faroe Islands (754 meters) has them beat! (Barely.)
 
6. There’s evidence that people have populated Ireland for over 10,000 years. It’s a little later than much of Europe due to the climate (and the fact it’s an island,) but impressive nonetheless! The oldest artefacts have been found in the North of the country.
 
7. Ireland once had its own version of the Olympics! They were called the Tailteann Games (or the Lughnasa games after the Irish hero of legend, Lugh.) They took place in 1924, 1928, and 1932 and were a celebration of traditional Irish sporting events. Unfortunately, the event didn’t take off worldwide, but smaller versions still exist to this day!

8. Speaking of sport (as they’d say in Ireland,) Ireland has one of the oldest consistent sporting traditions in the world (at least 3,000 years old!): hurling. It’s considered the fastest game played on grass and bears a vague resemblance in equipment to field hockey or even lacrosse (though definitely not in play.) P.S. The women’s version of hurling is almost identical, but called camogie.
 
9. The hollow, hypodermic needle was invented by an Irishman and surgeon named Dr. Francis Rynd in 1844. The world’s first subcutaneous injection was even performed at the Meath Hospital in Dublin! Even if you hate needles, this was a revolutionary advancement that has allowed to save and better billions of people’s lives.
 
10. In 1970s Ireland (and still today at English boarding schools and some places in India) there was a tradition known as “bumps.” Essentially, if it was your birthday, you’d be grabbed by your classmates and thrown repeatedly into the air to be “bumped” on the floor, often upside down—once for every year of your life. It would often end in a big finale throw where you might or might not be caught on the way down. (You can see why it’s not often practiced these days!)
 
This post is part of a series, read Volume I here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram

​First Name: Ellie Hall
 
Age: 15
 
How long have you been dancing with SRL? Why SRL?
 
I've been with SRL for 3 years now. At first it was a free trial, but I loved it so much I wanted to keep going back.
 

​What’s your favorite thing about your personality?
 
I think my favorite thing about my personality is how open I am to meeting new people and getting to know them.
 
What’s your favorite thing about dancing?
 
Meeting all of these people that I can definitely call my family and getting to do so much with them.
 
What’s your favorite TV show to binge watch?
 
Grey’s Anatomy!

 What’s the best advice you can give a new or younger dancer?
 
It takes a little while to get things down, but it is so worth it in the end. So just stick to it!
 
What’s your current obsession? Why?
 
One Direction because their music is so good and that’s all I play.
 
What’s your favorite dance-related memory?
 
I think the 2019 Christmas party is one of my favorite things from dance.
 
If you were an animal, which one would you be and why?
 
I think I would be a chipmunk because I am small, spazzy, and cute. (According to my mom.)
 
Who do you look up to?
 
Everyone, because I'm small.
 
No, but really, I look up to my mom because she always looks for the good in situations and I look up to Courtney because she has given me a second home and something that I truly love.

This post is part of a series. Meet our last spotlighted dancer, Molley, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Volume V
Middle Grade, Part 1
​
If the term “middle grade” isn’t familiar to you in terms of books, the name is relatively revealing: it just means books written for children around the ages 8-12. You know: out of the picture book stage, but perhaps not ready for either the level or themes of Young Adult fiction. A lot of SRL’s dancers fall right into this category, so we wanted to give them a way of learning about Ireland that will capture their imaginations in that magical way only books can do! (Unsure if a book is too advanced for your dancer? While you know your child’s reading levels best, just remember that kids like to read up—i.e. an 8 or 10-year-old generally wants to read about a 12-year-old, and so on!)

2. Artemis Fowl, Eoin Colfer
​
This 8-book series may sound familiar: the film version, directed by Kenneth Branagh, was released this past summer on Disney+ to widely negative reviews. The main complaint? Too many changes from the acclaimed source material—we’d recommend just getting the first book instead! (There’s a graphic novel version, as well.) Artemis Fowl is the name of the series protagonist, a 12-year-old criminal mastermind and millionaire from Ireland. The first book concentrates on a modernization of classic, Celtic fey mythology, with Artemis kidnapping a tough, pint-sized faerie named Holly Short for a king’s ransom: the faerie’s pot of gold. If you’re unsure about letting your kid read about a child racketeer, don’t worry: this series has been a parent favorite since its debut in 2001 for the main character’s gradual redemption. Focusing on themes of greed and entitlement, this book is for the kid who loves Percy Jackson and adventure. (It may be about Greek mythology, but we highly recommend those as well!

3. Granualie: Pirate Queen, Morgan Llewelyn

​Morgan Llewelyn is an award-winning writer of historical and mythological fiction (and some non-fiction!) and has several more middle grade Irish book offerings, but this tale based on the real life story of female pirate, queen, chieftain, and rebel, Grace “Granuaile” O’Malley is sure to excite! Considered now to be a woman ahead of her time, Granuaile was a fearless leader of her clan and an untiring defender of Ireland and its culture. Llewelyn tells her story largely through letters to Granuaile’s son, Tibbot, but also weaves through the historical and political realities of the rise of Elizabeth I and the resulting oppression of the Irish way of life. With many cameos by great figures in Ireland’s history, this story has the hook of adventure, but lessons about girl power, acceptance, and the importance of family, tradition, and standing up for what you believe is right.

4. Scholastic Classics: Irish Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends, Kieran Fanning

While we covered some Irish mythology picture book anthologies in our previous installment, Fanning’s book promises a slightly more elevated version of these classic tales. It’s not fully illustrated, but rather its beautiful cover’s drawings represent different stories in the collection as a reminder of the contents inside. This book covers the first three cycles of Irish mythology: Mythological, Ulster, and Fenian—from the miraculous Tuatha Dé Dannan and Children of Lir, to stories of famed heroes like Cuchulainn and Fionn Mac Cumhaill. While mythology and fairy tales always have a bit of a dark side, reader reviews promise that all the more difficult subject matter is dealt with matter-of-factly, but delicately. This version is perfect for the middle grade age range, letting them feel more adult, while at the right level for them in both content and difficulty.

5. A Slip of a Girl, Patricia Reilly Giff

Patricia Reilly Giff has won two Newbury Honors for her work, which concentrates on strong, brave young women in trying times in history (there’s plenty more where this comes from. Lily’s Crossing is about WWII in America, but is a personal favorite from childhood.) A Slip of a Girl depicts life in rural Ireland through narrative free verse in the wake of the Great Famine. Told through the eyes of Anna—whose siblings have gone off to the New World and whose mother has passed, leaving Anna to care for her younger sister with special needs–and in her lyric voice, the story is one of resilience in the face of deprivation. A much quieter, contemplative read than the others on our list, this family tale is a poignant depiction of the tensions of a feudal, agrarian community and the self-determination adversity can teach.

Ancient Irish Yuletide Traditions, Part 3
 
Are you cold? Grab another blanket and settle in with a nice mug of tea (this is Ireland, forget the coffee) to read about a few more Irish Yuletide traditions. This installment has some that might really surprise you!
 
While American Christmas decorations are, well, often very American (take this 8-foot, LED lit Gingerbread Man, for instance,) the ancient Irish actually started one of our more understated looks. Who doesn’t love passing an old colonial with just one candle in each window? It always looks like a Christmas card come to life—those little flickers of light in all the darkness of 4 pm. The Irish called this custom “Coinneal Mór na Nollaig” (literal translation: the Great Christmas Candle, as they usually just had the one) and it was a sign that anyone cold, weary, or in need would find hospitality inside. It was tradition to have the youngest member of the family light the new candle with the stub of last year’s candle—a way of passing on the good fortune of your year to the next.
 
Eventually, as Paganism gave way to Christianity, these candles came to signify something less warm. When Catholicism was being oppressed through British, Protestant rule, the candle was lit and the doors left unlocked as a sign to any priests that they were welcome in that home to say a Christmas mass. When suspicious British soldiers asked about the candles, families had a plan ready: they simply said it represented a light for Mary and Joseph, to tell them they would have been welcome in their home. The British soldiers bought it, and some families, even today, hold on to the false explanation—it’s closer, after all, to the original intent.

​On a lighter note: if you had to speculate, you’d probably hazard a guess that “Black Friday” was something cooked up by corporations to help boost their fourth quarter sales, right? And, in its modern iteration, you’d probably be right…but the ancient Irish did do it first! Since they obviously didn’t have Thanksgiving to mark the beginning of the holiday season, they chose December 8th for the “Margadh Mór” aka The Big Market! When Ireland was almost all rural, people would gather (generally at a crossroad, where they also gathered to dance!) to sell their wares and buy special items and gifts for the holidays to “bring home the Christmas.”
 
Now, these items and gifts generally weren’t the new iPhone or even new socks, but more closely in line with the Pagan tradition of feasting and giving. While the farmers went to sell their eggs, meat, and produce, they went to buy imported items that were special treats often reserved for the holiday for everyone but the wealthiest. Tobacco, tea, wines and beers, dried fruits and spices not native to Ireland, and even, simply: sugar. Sellers would often give gifts to their customers (kind of like our Black Friday discounts today,) and, much like Toys for Tots or the myriad of other Yuletide charities we have, the most prosperous farmers would make sure their less fortunate neighbors had a fresh Yule meal!

Lastly, while the UK and Canada have Boxing Day (and Americans have “lie around in your pajamas if you don’t work in retail”) the day after Christmas, the Irish originally had “Wren Day.” We mentioned “The 12 Days of Christmas” in our first installment of this series, but have you ever wondered what’s so special about a partridge in a pear tree? Many think it’s actually a reference to Saint Stephen’s Day, or as it was known before the church got involved: Wren Day. This tradition goes back to the Celtic myth (similar to that of the Holly King and Oak King in our previous post) that the robin of the New Year killed the wren of the old during the midwinter celebrations. Thus, there were “Wren Boys” who would wear disguises, chase and kill a wren, and sing as they placed it in its tree.
 
The tradition of chasing and tying a dead bird to the top of a holly bush or pole becomes a little more palatable when you learn that wrens in ancient legend often represented a betrayer (first to the Celts for betraying them to invaders, and later to the Christians as St. Stephen was also betrayed by the distinctive song of the wren.) Don’t worry, these days wrens are no longer harmed the day after Christmas, but certain areas of Ireland have turned this grisly concept into something more in line with Pagan celebrations of togetherness. For example, in Dingle, one can attend a Wren Day parade where money is collected for charities by a new version of Wren Boys. Though, a bit of the tradition does live on—it’s possible you’ll play the part of the wren and get chased!
 
Ultimately, the ancient Irish’s Yuletide traditions are a precursor to our own, because humans, at their core, need to be reminded that, eventually, the darkness will end. There’s no year better to remind ourselves of this fundamental truth: that to be human—no matter your religion, ethnicity, or even time in history—is to look for hope. So from us here at SRL, to you at home celebrating the return of the sun however you like, leathanta saoire sona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise duit!
 
This post is part of a series, read about more Irish Yuletide traditions here and here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram

Ancient Irish Yuletide Traditions, Part 2
 
If you caught Part 1, you already know that ancient Ireland is the direct ancestor of many Christmas traditions, with the Catholic church adopting and adapting many Pagan practices into their own religion. But we were only just getting started! Ireland (like many other European countries with similar festivities in midwinter,) has contributed to many more modern traditions than you might think.
 
First off: the Yule log. Here in the U.S., you might immediately equate that to that warm, crackling, flickering fireplace you can leave playing on your TV (Netflix apparently has had four versions in the past, and Hulu even had one with puppies—go big or go home, America!) There’s also a traditional Christmas dessert with the same name in a different language: “Bûche de Nöel.” This rolled, flourless chocolate cake is filled with cream and often decorated with festive additions and powdered sugar to resemble snow, though it’s more popular in the UK and France than America. However, both these quintessential Christmas traditions come from an older concept: bringing the warmth of the communal fire into the home and hearth during the darkest time of the year.

​The ancient Irish version of the Yule log (or “Bloc na Nollaig”) tradition took a more literal form: it was originally an entire tree chopped down, trimmed into a log, and brought into the house. But these weren’t what we think of as Christmas trees! Though fireplaces were much larger in those days, as they had to be used for cooking as well as heating the whole house, the idea was for the tree to be too big—it would stick out into the living space and be slowly fed into the fire throughout the 12 days of the midwinter celebration, or longer, depending on the log. The log itself had to be either from the household’s land, or a gift—people would gift their elderly or ill neighbors Yule logs so no one was cold on the darkest nights of the year. A small part of the log would be kept to start next year’s fire.

But what did the Irish do with all the branches they trimmed off their Yule log? They decorated, of course! The evergreen boughs, holly, and mistletoe we still think of as Christmas décor today were all common in ancient Ireland and used the same way we use them now—to remind us of warmer, greener times while we gather with family and friends. The Irish also added the belief that holly offered a place of rest for any good fey fleeing the cold, and protection from any evil afoot in the dark. There’s even an old Irish myth that midwinter marked the battle between the “Holly King” and the “Oak King,” with the solstice crowning the Oak King’s victory—kind of like an ancient Groundhog’s Day…you finally know spring is coming. (This is also the seed of the tradition of sometimes crowning Celtic Chieftains in holly.)
 
While we can deduce the modern Christmas tree came from a combination of the two traditions above, the early Irish’s reverence of the natural world attached more significance to this flora than we perhaps do today. All evergreen plants were considered sacred, a symbol of eternal life through the natural world as the great wheel of the sun continues to turn ever onward. Holly grows all over Ireland, even today, and was a way for even the least fortunate family to celebrate in their homes (just don’t forget the gloves if you go picking!) After the 12-day celebration, families would return their holly boughs and wreaths to the natural world by leaving them to fertilize other plants or burning them.

Mistletoe was even more revered than holly—the Pagans believed it represented the divine in the natural world and that it had miraculous properties. We now know that mistletoe is actually a hemiparasitic plant—meaning it can’t grow on its own, but needs access to a host plant’s water and nutrients—making it uncommon. All the early Irish knew was that it was rare, and therefore extraordinary, with Druidic priests making special trips into the woods to gather it. In fact, it was considered so sacred that it was once Celtic law that if two battling enemies encountered mistletoe, they were required to stop and call a truce until Yuletide was over. This fact, plus the belief that it was also an aphrodisiac and fertility blessing, is how we ended up with the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe today!
 
Visit the blog next week for our final installment of ancient Irish Yuletide traditions, or catch up on last week here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Stocking Stuffers
 
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance!
 
We know not all of our SRL families necessarily celebrate Christmas (as we always say: you don’t need to be Irish to do Irish dance!) But what we mean by stocking stuffers are some last minute, smaller gift ideas for your dancer! Sometimes you just need one more thing to add on. Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best highlight small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal!

1. Hand Sanitizer Holder

This year calls for hand sanitizer above all else. Help your dancer stay safe and healthy with a personalized hand sanitizer bottle holder that’s so cute they don’t mind keeping it on their bag! There’s personalized options, as well as more dance specific ones—it’s something everyone needs but wouldn’t necessarily think to buy (what other criteria do you need for a gift?)
 
Additional Options:
Irish Dance Holder
Cartoon Dancer Holder
Shamrock Holder

2. Zipper Pull Add On

These are a versatile gift that are both practical (some of those costume zippers can be tricky!) and decorative (many of these are advertised as sweatshirt pulls!) Between the stereotypically Irish (see the shamrock pull below) and the personalized options (even ones for male dancers pictured above,) each and every dancer can get something to add on to their bag or clothing. It’s always the little things we never think of!
 
Additional Options:
Dancing Girl Pull
Personalized Name Pull with Color Options
Shamrock Pull

3. Small Tech Items

For your tech-savvy dancer (who are we kidding, aren’t all kids tech savvy these days?), why not something for their most used item? Below we’ve also listed some phone cases, in case they’re not in the pop socket lovers camp, as well as a phone tripod—perfect for filming their sets to upload for their online class! We’re all learning to adapt this year.

​
 
Additional Options:
Irish Dance Sets Phone Case
Irish Dance Wallet Phone Case
Phone Tripod

4. Poodle Socks

Can your dancer ever have enough of these? (A few more pairs and the laundry can be done less often!) While you can pick up a pair of plain white ones from the SRL office (we can even just charge it to your DSP account,) you can also pick up some fun colors and styles to help them mix up their look for class. (Besides, all the adults reading this know there’s no better holiday gift than socks!)
 
Additional Options:
Swarovski Crystal Poodle Socks
Another Tie-Dye Option
And One More!

5. Cookie Cutters

So maybe not a dance accessory per say, but what’s the holidays without some treats? (I mean, we all need cheering up through the magic of butter and sugar throughout the winter.) Cookie cutters are a great way to get your dancer excited to contribute to the holiday table this year, while also teaching them an important life skill! (By which we mean baking cookies and not just eating the dough.)
 
Additional Options:
Triquetra Celtic Knot Cookie Cutter
Irish Dance Dress Cookie Cutter
Claddagh Cookie Stamp Cutter

This is Volume VI of a series, read last week’s Saturday post with suggestions for presents for the Irish dance parents in your life. And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

​Name: Devon
 
Position: Office Manager and Director of First Impressions
 
How long have you been working at SRL? Why SRL?
 
I’m SRL’s newest employee and I’ve only been here 3 months (and even with all the 2020 challenges, it’s been great so far!) I was inspired to join the team because 1) I had previously worked for a large corporation and knew I’d rather be a part of something on a smaller, more personal scale—especially working with a young, female business owner! 2) I missed being in a dance studio so much, and 3) I was completely blown away by the community Courtney’s created here. While there’s still an emphasis on hard-work, and discipline, SRL feels so much more supportive than many other dance studios I’ve been in. (I also love getting to work on the blog and put my writing skills to good use!)
 
How long have you been dancing? Why Irish dance?
 
First off: I’m the only person on staff who’s not an Irish dancer! While my mother’s side is certainly Irish, and many of my cousins did Irish dance, I didn’t know much about it until college, where I almost double majored in dance (one class short!) and learned about the anthropological significance of different forms of cultural dance. I danced from the time I was a toddler up until my senior year of college, though I left the competitive and performance track behind when I was 17 to concentrate on new goals (also, I was tired! I think the body knows what it can handle.)
 
What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why?
 
I wanted to be a writer before I could write! There’s nothing I love more than books (don’t tell my dog or fiancé—though he probably knows,) and before I could even fully read my books, I would scribble in the million notebooks lining my shelves and read my “poems” and “stories” out loud to my parents. Luckily, my unchanging life goals are easy to keep working toward no matter how I’m employed, so I can work at SRL and keep writing.
 
Why do you think people dance?
 
I think every person in the world needs to find an outlet to express themselves and dance is such an evocative, full experience. It engages the body and the mind equally, while bringing collaborative elements like music (and even other dancers and communities) to make it even more of a shared experience. It’s communal as much as it’s personal, like all good art strives to be.

What are you interested in that most people aren’t?
 
EVERYTHING! By that I mean: there’s no topic I don’t want to know more about. My favorite thing in the world is learning something new, to enter a new world through books. All I truly want is to keep learning every day of my life. Luckily, there’s a whole world out there so I’m never going to run out.
 
What advice do you have for aspiring dancers?
 
There’s an Einstein quote I’ve always loved: “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s that I stay with problems longer.” I was never the most talented dancer in the bunch, but I always made sure to work the hardest and achieve personal goals rather than goals I formed by watching other people. Every person’s body is different, just like everyone’s mind: if you’re frustrated and want to give up, forget everybody else and stay with the problem longer. Talent is overrated, give me hard work every time.

If you were a fictional character, which one would you be? Why?
 
This is like asking me to pick up favorite book: how do you pick a favorite kind of magic? When I was little, I used to literally dream (my poor mom had to comfort me when I woke up—a lot) I was Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series. My dog’s name is even Harry Pawter! These days I probably connect the most the characters from Carmen Maria Machado’s work or the persona in Jenny Slate’s gorgeous essays. Highly recommend both for anyone who likes a very strange story!
 
What’s the coolest place you’ve ever visited? (Remember travel?!)
 
While I haven’t been able to travel everywhere I still want to go (that cancelled trip to Greece this past April still rubs,) I was lucky enough to have a mom who prioritized making sure I was exposed to as much of the world as she could swing. So, while I’ve loved every trip I’ve ever taken, I still feel so lucky I was able to spend a year of college living in London! I still miss working in the Camden Markets, wandering the parks, and the wonder of a year of studying at University College London in Bloomsbury, where so many great scholars, scientists, and writers have spent their days.
 
What’s the most important quality to have in life?
 
Kindness. You can have all the second most important qualities: hard-working, determined, constantly learning and growing…but to me, all of that is a waste if you’re not kind. I believe our worth isn’t determined by what we do that affects only ourselves, it’s determined by how we treat others. But—don’t forget to be kind to yourself too! You deserve that kindness as much as everyone else.
 
How has dance affected your everyday life?
 
While I’ve always been someone who knows how to work hard and push myself when it comes to mental exercise, dance showed me I could be physically strong, too. I think it’s an incredible motivator, for everyone, but girls especially, to know they can accomplish things the world may have deemed too difficult for them. The average person sees dancers as willowy little things, but dance takes incredible strength. Just because people don’t recognize something as strength doesn’t mean you can’t.
 
This post is part of a series. Read others to meet more of our staff (Codi, Bailey, and Courtney,) with another post to come! Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

​Ancient Irish Yuletide Traditions, Part 1
 
It’s dark at 4 pm, it’s cold, and this year we’re home in that early, freezing dark all the time…that’s right, I’m talking about winter. It’s no surprise that winter celebrations have been a long-standing practice all across Europe, with ancient Ireland being no exception. In fact, many of our Christmas traditions (just like Halloween—learn more here) are rooted in Irish Pagan traditions. They just called it “Mean Geimhreadh” (Midwinter in Gaelic) or “Alban Arthan” (Yule) instead, and there’s evidence to suggest the Irish have been celebrating it for at least 5,000 years.
 
But how do we know the ancient Irish celebrated midwinter? Their tombs, of course! The word Yule is posited to have come from an ancient word for wheel (“thoul,”) denoting the Druidic practice of celebrating the cyclical nature of the seasons (the wheel turning is why the days get shorter, of course,) as well as their worship of the sun (the wheel itself.) For an agrarian society like Ireland, the sun was the ruling factor of their lives—they would live or die by its light. Thus, there are several ancient tombs and monuments across Ireland that are placed to be alighted by the sun on the winter solstice, December 21st.

​The “Síd in Broga” cairn at Newgrange in County Meath—where the ancient Irish buried their dead royals—is the most common example of a solstice tomb, as modern Pagans and history buffs still go to celebrate Yule there to this day (there’s so much interest there’s a lottery for tickets—like Hamilton! If you win a lucky ticket it’s recommended to dress warmly in reds and yellows to honor the sun and bring along a drum or rattle.) Solstice originally meant “standstill,” and for 17 full minutes on the solstice, the sun seems to linger over Newgrange as if (if you’re going by ancient beliefs) the sun is returning to breathe life into the land again. As the midwinter solstice marks the shortest day of the year, they were, for all intents and purposes, right!
 
But don’t think the Yule celebrations in ancient Ireland only lasted for 17 minutes…instead, there were 12 full days of fires and feasts. These celebrations often ran all through the night to stave off the cold and darkness, as the celebrants toasted the arrival of longer days and more sunlight and ate through fresh stores (and their remaining livestock) that otherwise wouldn’t last the winter. Just like now, there was at least a month of preparation and a number of traditions that overlap our modern ones…tune in next week to hear about a few more!

​To the more devout, a 12-day celebration might ring a bell: as a way of easing conversion to Christianity. By the 8th century the Catholic Church had co-opted this Pagan celebration into the “Mass of Christ” which eventually morphed into Christmas. No one has ever been certain what time of year Jesus Christ was born, so it was easier for the missionaries in Pagan Ireland (and many other countries with similar midwinter festivals--including ancient Rome) to stick with what the people already knew. It was as simple for the Church of Rome to switch the worship of the “sun” for the worship of the “son”—even more so because of their similar metaphoric significance, as both are believed to come to earth to banish darkness.​

​If you’ve ever wondered about why a song writer decided on the “12 Days of Christmas,” you finally have your answer: the Celtic Pagans being slowly converted to Christianity. The holiday began on “Nollag Mór” (Big Christmas: December 25th) and lasted until “Nollag Beag” (Little Christmas: January 6th) with a New Year celebration in the middle. While the ancient Irish had their own fun with bonfires and storytelling, these newer Christmas celebrations were essentially long bank holidays with the only people allowed to work being those who baked, brewed, or danced—generally anyone who contributed to the merrymaking. The Germanic tradition of “carolling” become so popular that it’s even considered one of the ways Irish dance has been preserved in often turbulent times—after a while, no one wanted to touch anyone’s midwinter celebrations!
 
But this is only the beginning! Tune in next week for more Irish Yule traditions.
 
This post is part of a series. Learn more about Irish history here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

For Parental Figures
 
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance!
 
You didn’t think we’d forget the parents and guardians of our dancers, did you? Here’s a gift guide that caters toward those who cater to our dancers—we know they couldn’t do it without you! Whether you’re treating yourself or buying for someone else, here are some Irish dance themed gifts for the people who have been spending so much time waiting outside in their cars this year. Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best highlight small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal!

1. Insulated Travel Mug

Sláinte! With as many performances as possible being outdoors this year, you’re going to need something to keep that…coffee warm? Look, we won’t tell anyone what’s inside, but we all might as well cheers with a properly insulated drink in hand.
 
Additional Options:
Inspirational Ghillies Travel Mug
“Irish Dance is the Best Dance” with Handle
Irish Dance Mom Travel Cup

2. Water Bottle

Your dancer isn’t the only one to get thirsty at a feis! Make sure you and your fellow dance parents stay hydrated too with their own water bottle (some more options with personalization are listed below.) This year, staying healthy is more of a priority than ever—and we all know that good health starts with water!
 
Additional Options:
Sláinte Custom Water Bottle
Irish Dance Dad Water Bottle
Dance Dad Water Bottle
​

3. Jewelry
​
While all these ideas could easily be for mom, grandma, an aunt, or any Irish dance parental figure, they’re great options for your dancer as well. (Perhaps even some matching ones for mom and daughter, or whatever combination makes up your home!) Many of these options have beautiful, subtle personalization options such as a birth stone (of your dancer or dance mom!) or letter detail.
 
Additional Options:
Ghillie Post Earrings
Personalized Heart Dancer Necklace
Celtic Knot Dangling Earrings

4. Tees

While Dad might not want a necklace necessarily, let him show his support through his gear too! We have some mom options below as well, and even one for grandma. There’s a way to let every member of your family show their support of your dancer—bonus points if you embarrass them just a little (we all know they secretly love seeing your support, no matter what they say!)
​

​Additional Options:
“Nothing Will Feis a Dance Dad” Tee
Irish Dance Mom Tee
Irish Dance Grandma Tee

5. Chairs

This one might not seem as intuitive, but who wants to stand all day at a feis or performance? In fact, when we inquired with our parents about their feis essentials, something to sit on came up frequently (though not as much as this tip: remember your shoes!) With us not fully knowing what future competitions and performances will look like, this gift’s versatility makes it an even better buy (and that personalization means you’ll never walk away with the wrong chairs!)

Additional Options:
Rechargeable Heated and Massaging Bleacher Seat
Personalized Bleacher Seat
Another Personalized Camp Chair

6. Blanket

This goes along with chairs as something that can be: often personalized, always multipurpose, and a great gift for everyone! Keep warm while showing your support of your dancer at the next outdoor performance, or while snuggling up by a fire. Who doesn’t like to be cozy?
 
Additional Options:
“Like a Normal Sport But Harder” Blanket
Personalized Photo Blanket
Personalized Sherpa Blanket
 
This is Volume V of a series. Come back next Saturday for the last installment or read last week’s for some wearable gift options. And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Name: Lindsey H.

Age: 21
 
How long have you been dancing? Why Irish dance? Do you still dance?
 
My mom started me in Irish dance at the age of 3. My mom Irish danced, and my aunt danced, and my grandma watched a lot of Riverdance, so it only made sense that I would Irish dance too. After my first dance class in an old church basement, a 16-year competitive Irish dance career followed. My last time on stage was Vancouver nationals in 2019, but I still dance around the kitchen, and, of course, visit the studio when I am home from college.
 
If you could meet any historical or famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
 
If I could meet any famous person, I would meet Taylor Swift. First off, she is an absolute icon and I think I would melt if I met her. Second, one time I stole a traffic cone from her driveway in Watch Hill, and it is one of my most prized possessions. And third, Spotify told me that I am in the top 1% of her listeners this year. This is one of my biggest accomplishments and it took a lot of hard work and dedication to become this big of a fan.

​What was your favorite SRL memory?
 
SRL has provided me with so many opportunities and memories that will last a lifetime. Some range from laughing so hard in yoga class Courtney made me leave, to recalling at the North American Championships. But if I had to pick just one memory, I would choose the All Irelands in 2016. Even though I didn’t make the recall that year, it was such a fun trip! Especially when I got back to CT and Courtney gave me a quiz on the history of Ireland, and I failed it.
 
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Why?
 
If I could have a superpower, I think I would choose shapeshifting. I always wonder what it would be like in someone else’s shoes and shapeshifting would allow me to gain this perspective. It would also be awesome to know what it would be like to be a cow, or a shark, or a dinosaur.

​Why do you think people dance?
 
When there are no words to explain how you feel, you express yourself through dance. I remember there would be nights when I had lots of homework to do, or I wanted to go to a football game, or I was tired, but when I walked through those studio doors I knew it was my time to work. And when I walked out of those doors at the end of the night, I felt like a better person than when I walked in those doors early that night.
 
What’s your favorite outdoor winter activity and why?
 
My favorite outdoor activity is skiing. I go to school in Boulder, Colorado so hopefully I will get some good ski days in this year. While this is my favorite outdoor activity, it was not Courtney’s favorite activity of mine. I am a rather accident-prone person, so the added chance of injury was not appreciated by Courtney.

​If you had to work, but didn’t need the money, what would you do?
 
If I did not have to worry about doing adult things like paying bills, I think I would travel around the world and experience everything this planet has to offer (going to outer space would be cool too). As of right now, I am not really exactly sure what I want to do when I grow up, but hopefully I can someday share my passion of Irish dance with others.
 
What advice do you have for aspiring dancers?
 
In the crazy world of Irish Dance, where there are so many things that you cannot control, I would only focus on what I could control. It didn’t matter which judges were judging or which dancers were dancers, the only thing that mattered was how I danced. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in the commotion, but when you walk off that stage, the only thing that really matters is how you danced.

How do you think your time at SRL positively affects your everyday life as an adult?
 
I often find myself doing a little jig with my fingertips or a little treble with my feet. But Irish Dance trained me to have a very high stamina, physical and mental. Courtney was the best at pushing her dancers towards their goals. I know how to work towards long term goal without being worn out, and to push through to the very end. 
 
What’s the most important quality to have in life?
​
Growing up, every day when we walked down the stairs before school my brother and I had to hit a poster that said, “Win the Day”. The constant reminder to be a better person at the end of the day than when I woke up that morning instilled a strong sense of drive in me. My drive has allowed me to accomplish all of the things that I have wanted to so far.

This post is the first in a series. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

​Feis Survival Basket
 
Tonight we’re coming at you with a multifaceted gift idea for our competitive dancers: why not make them a “Feis Survival Basket”? We asked our parents and dancers to help us compile everything you could think of (and a few things you wouldn’t normally consider…) to bring to a feis. While we might not be attending as many feiseanna this year as in the past, these competitions were a vital part of your dancer’s life up until this year, and this gift has a bonus: a sense of normalcy, even as we learn to adapt.
 
And, 2020 notwithstanding, we’re still figuring out ways to make sure more feiseanna can happen! So, consider helping make the rest of your dancer’s competitions this year as seamless as possible by providing them with something truly unique, special, and practical this holiday. (P.S. Don’t forget a basket! It can always be home décor later.) Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best to promote small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal! 

1. The Look
 
I can’t count how many times we were told the most important thing to bring to a feis is: everything. As in, make sure every part of your costume (and every member of your family) is in the car! Make it a little easier for them (and you!) to remember everything with a personalized checklist like the one pictured here.
 
But the look isn’t just the costume, is it? Below, we’ll list some staples you can pick up at your local drugstore or order on Instacart, however you’re shopping these days—but by having these items already set aside for a feis, you and your dancer are much less likely to forget them! And why not make some of them extra special? Think about adding in an Irish dance themed makeup bag (makeup is definitely on the list of things not to forget if they wear it!), a personalized compact mirror, and/or a personalized hairbrush to make their gift extra special. You could also consider adding in a new number clip! Here’s a bejeweled option, and some that are less glittery, more Celtic in design.
 
P.S. You can also check out our “For Your Competitor” installment of our “Irish Dancer Gift Guide Series,” for some additional add ons like customizable dress bags and shoes bags!
 
Remember:
-Your costume, socks, and shoes
-Shoe buckles if desired
-Makeup bag and makeup
-Mirror
-Hairbrush
-Favorite lotion for legs and hands
-Bobby pins
-Favorite hairspray
-Sock glue if they use it!
-Hole punch for numbers
-Number Clip

​2. Rescue Items
 
These items are the real heroes, and maybe the most necessary things to include since they’re not the most obvious ones. Below you’ll find a list of many, many kinds of tape among other items that might come to the rescue one day, but there are some items you can make fun as well! While there’s always a good, ol’ utilitarian travel sewing kit, there are some cute options out there too. Same with scissors—sure, any old pair would do. But why not add something more fun in the mix with their favorite color, SRL’s colors, or even some glitter? That way everyone knows that pair of scissors belong in their feis survival kit, not anywhere else!
Remember:
-Travel Sewing Kit
-Scissors
-Lint Roller
-Electrical tape (black for shoe repairs!)
-Gaffers tape
-Rescue tape (2-sided fabric tape) in case a shoe catches a hem!
-Safety pins in various sizes
-Black shoe polish
-Their preferred deodorant
-Tide pen

​3. Staying Alert
 
Okay, I was wrong. These items are the real heroes, and not just because they involve snacks. These are the things to remember to help get you, your dancer, and anyone else from your family that’s attending through a long, long day. You know your dancer’s favorite snacks and I’m sure they’d be delighted to have them, but there’s always another option…something brand new! Companies like Munch Pak or Try the World offer one-offs or subscription services for a variety of tasty treats sourced from all over the world—the UK included. And don’t forget the most important fuel for every dancer: water! (Also, depending on their age, coffee.) A personalized water bottle or travel mug (more suggestions in coming gift guides!) is the easiest way to make sure they’re picking up the right one—something more of a concern than ever these days.

​4. Extras
 
Next we have all the extras to consider: extra socks, extra laces, extra crystals and glue for their Champion costumes…not the most exciting part of basket, but just as important! We sell socks in the SRL office (and can just charge your DSP, very hassle free,) and you know where to buy laces and the type of crystals they might need. The rest of these extras are for you as much as them: cash in case this brilliant idea fails and you still forget something, medicine for the inevitable headache that follows that many hard shoe performances, and wet wipes (because they’re always useful—especially after all those snacks.) One more thing to consider: somewhere to sit! Portable camp chairs are a great option for some, bleacher chairs another, and collapsible stools (this one has a cooler backpack!) for those who may be wearing their competition dress—you don’t want your dancer getting tired or messing up her costume before the performance. (Though, if you go with one of these seats, you may need a bigger basket!)
 
Remember:
-Extra socks
-Extra laces
-Extra crystals and glue if needed
-Cash
-Motrin/Advil
-Wet wipes
-Seats/Chairs

5. Your Support!
 
The idea of this gift isn’t really about buying your dancer a lot of tape, of course. It’s about showing your support for all their hard work and passion! To quote one of our amazing parents, make sure to “pack your patience and an attitude that can celebrate that needed first or comfort a disappointing day.” For something extra special, maybe pre-write them some notes to be opened upon completing their next few feiseanna—kind of like packing them an encouraging note in their lunch. You know what your dancer will need to hear in case of success or failure more than anyone else, even if the moment hasn’t happened yet! In our “For Your Littlest Dancer” installment of our gift guides, you can find some fun (and some custom!) stationery options—all Irish dance themed—but we all know the real gift is in your encouragement.
 
This is bonus post of a series, come back next Saturday for the next installment or read the previous one all about Irish dancer décor here! And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

To Wear
 
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance!
 
This week on our Irish dancer gift guide series, we’re looking at apparel! Whether it be to relax in or for class (don’t worry, almost everything is available in SRL Academy colors,) these items are sure to excite an Irish dancer of any age. Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best highlight small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal!

1. Masks
​
While I’m sure everyone’s already ordered their SRL masks, we’re suggesting a few more options for both in the studio and out. So much has changed this year and that can be scary—personalized and/or decorative masks that show off your dancer’s interests can help demystify and normalize something that’s become our new reality. (And we all know we need more masks than we have if we want to wash them as directed—it’s time to start collecting!)
 
Additional Options:
Ghillie Mask
“Keep It Reel” Mask
Tiara Mask

2. Sweatshirts
 
While your dancer’s SRL hoodie is cozy, it does have to go in the wash sometimes. Here are a few options so they can rep their love of Irish dance no matter how long it takes to get to the laundry. The above option and the last option are unisex!
 
Additional Options:
“Keep It Reel” Hoodie
Irish Dance Outline Hoodie
“Keep Calm and Feis On” Crewneck

3. Practice Tanks and Tees

While it might be getting chilly outside, once your dancer starts dancing, the studio can really heat up! Help them layer with a fun tank for under their sweatshirt and coat or gift them something new to sleep in at night. While most of these suggestions are for our female dancers, see the last one below for a great unisex option!
 
Additional Options:
“Keepin’ It Reel” Tank
Harry Potter/Irish Dance Tee
“Keep Calm and Feis On” Tee
​

4. Light Tote

I know we all have a million tote bags, but don’t you use them all the time? From dance class to grocery shopping, school to a sleepover (fingers crossed we get back there,) a tote bag is one of the most versatile gifts you can give. For those dancers who don’t necessarily want to wear a dance tee, this can be the perfect way for them to show their passion for dance in a more understated way!
 
Additional Options:
Irish Dancer Outline Tote
Custom Tote with Pocket
Dance Sets Print Tote

5. Key Chains/Bag Accessories

Then, there’s always an even more understated way to show your love of Irish dance: with a small bag accessory! For the male or female dancer (some non-glittery options below,) this is a great way to know which one is yours while also adding a fun and decorative element to your dance gear, purse, or school bag. And with so many personalized options out there, there’s something for everyone!
 
Additional Options:
5, 6, 7, 8 with Tassel
Assorted Irish Dance Bag Tags
“I Love Irish Dance” Key Chain

6. Charm Bracelets

While this might not be the right thing for every one of our dancers, jewelry that commemorates their love of Irish dance could be a smash hit this holiday! Charm bracelets have a classic, old-fashioned appeal with the added bonus of being able to be added on to year after year. We’ve given some additional jewelry options below in case your dancer would be more interested in something with a little less jangle.
Additional Options:
Irish Dancer Dangling Earrings
Personalized Bar Pendant Necklace
Modern Charm Bracelet
 
This is Volume IV of a series. Come back next Saturday for the next installment or read last week’s for some décor gift suggestions for your dancer. And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

​Name: Andrea K.
 
Dancer at SRL:  Molley
 
How long has your family been with SRL? 
 
We are in our 4th year!
 
Why Irish dance? 
 
I wanted Molley to get involved in something, but she did not want to try the traditional tap, jazz, ballet route  I got her to try a class at SRL the summer she was 4 years old and she fell in love with the dancing, the older kids, and of course Miss Courtney.
 
Favorite fall family activity? 
 
Carving Pumpkins on Halloween.  Something my family did every year since I was very little and I try to live up to my dad’s talent every year!
 
What’s the coolest place you’ve ever visited? (Remember travel?!) 
 
I visited Paris when I was a junior in high school (26 years ago!?!?!).  My first time away from my family and out of the country.  I fell in love with the atmosphere and community throughout the city.  Molley and I have promised each other to visit together when she graduates from high school.  
 
What advice would you give parents who are looking to try out Irish dance? 
 
TRY IT!!!  It’s different and fun!  And I love the way the classes are structured to challenge the students just so much that also pushes them forward in their learning.
 
If you had to work, but didn’t need the money, what would you do? 
 
The same thing I am doing now - a teacher.  The only thing I might change is to teach History instead of Mathematics.
 
What’s your favorite dance-related memory? 
 
Molley’s first Feis experience.  She was so nervous to compete that she didn’t want to enter one until the end of her second year.  She ended up placing 2nd in both her dances.  To see the pride on her face was priceless!
 
What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why? 
 
So, I’ll be honest - I wanted to be a bus or truck driver.  I always wanted to travel all over and I love staying in hotels and eating out.  
 
What’s the most important quality to have in life? 
 
Happiness - of course, there are times that are stressful, sad, and full of anxiety, (and that’s ok and natural) but you have to remember what makes you happy and hold on to that.  When I get in a funk, I just think of my kids and remember those happy moments and it gets me through the rough times.  I try to have at least one truly happy moment each day to hold on to, and I haven’t been let down yet!
 
How do you think dance has positively affected your dancer? 
 
Confidence and challenge!  I think Irish Step Dancing has been the first time she has really felt challenged.  But because she enjoys it so much and because of the guidance from the older girls like Miss Ellie and of course from Miss Courtney’s teaching and motivation, she continues to try even when she gets so upset that she is not getting a step the first time around.

This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with Avonlea's mom, Erin Kate, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Sometimes, in researching blog posts, we come upon information that, while it isn’t necessarily enough to write a whole page on (at least not an interesting one,) is too surprising not to share. So we present our first installment of our Fun Facts series, where we collect little details we’ve learned about Ireland and Irish dance into a quick read for you to enjoy. Let’s start with some truly unexpected ones:
 
1. More Irish people live abroad than in Ireland! There are approximately 50-80 million people of Irish descent in other countries (after about 10 million have emigrated over the years,) and only a couple million currently in Ireland.
 
2. The submarine was invented in Ireland by John Phillip Holland who sold his invention to the U.S. Navy in 1895 after coming to America in 1872—though the first successful launch wasn’t until 1900: the U.S.S. Holland.
 
3. Only around 10% of Irish people have red hair (compared to 13% of Scottish people, the highest concentration in the world.) Though, maybe this can be considered a good thing: redheads are often more sensitive to pain and can require more than a normal amount of anesthesia in surgery! (Also, bees are more attracted to them!)
 
4. The U.S. President’s home, The White House, was designed by an Irishman named James Hoban. He emigrated just after the Revolutionary War and based the design on Leinster House in Dublin, where the Irish Parliament meets. George Washington himself suggested Hoban enter the contest for the commission to design the new seat of the executive branch.

​5. Ireland is home to the oldest known bar in the world! Sean’s Bar opened for business in 900 AD. Located in Athlone, it was originally an inn near a location where people came to ford the River Shannon. And if there’s any doubt: a renovation of the building in the 1970s revealed 9th century building materials still in the walls!
 
6. Ireland has had two female presidents (or “Uachtarán na hÉireann,”) more than the majority of the countries in the world. The first was Mary Robinson and the second Mary McAleese—both elected in the 1990s. Upon her election, Mary Robinson said: “I was elected by the women of Ireland, who instead of rocking the cradle, rocked the system.”
 
7. Ireland, as a country, has higher than average birthrates. This has changed its population’s makeup considerably with approximately a third of their population under 25—the youngest population in all of Europe. Estimates say that this will increase Ireland’s population from 4 million people to almost 6 million people by as early as 2040.
 
8. Despite so many young people, Ireland has one of the most highly educated workforces in the world! Not only is it in the top ten educated countries with its number of college educated citizens doubling in the last decade, it’s been reported that 53.5% of Irish people between 30-34 have a tertiary degree.

9.  Despite being considered the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick was Welsh. He was born in Wales in 386 AD and was kidnapped by pirates at the age of 16. The pirates sold Saint Patrick as a slave, and he escaped after being forced to work six years as a sheep herder. His escape was treacherous, and after wandering for 28 days in France he made it home—only to return to France to become a priest and then to Ireland as a missionary.
 
10. There’s actually a little more to debunk about the Saint Patrick legend: though the Welshman’s most legendary act is thought to have been driving all the snakes out of Ireland, there’s actually no evidence that there’s ever been snakes in Ireland. It’s simply a bad climate for cold-blooded animals!

This post is the first in a series. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Décor
 
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance!
 
This week in our installment of gift guides for your Irish dancer, we have something for everyone within our next topic: Irish dance décor! From the glittery to subdued, Christmas ornaments to mugs, there’s something for every dancer who might come into the studio. Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best highlight small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal! (Fun note: most of the items are customizable with SRL’s (or your child’s bedroom) colors!)

1. Prints

Keep them dreaming of dance by having it be the last thing they see at night and the first thing they see when they wake up with these completely customizable prints. There’s as many ways to go with this idea as there are ways to decorate your home, but we’ve gathered a few, diverse options for you to peruse. From the artistic to the inspiring, help your dancer make their room an expression of their passion (while still keeping everything coordinated!) Who knows, maybe it will even help them pick up their room (note: not a guarantee.)
 
Additional Options:
Name and Color Personalized
Male Irish Dancer Print
Outline Drawing Print

2. Wall Decals

Don’t worry, Mom and Dad, they peel right off! (And without harming standard paint!) Nothing gets a kid more excited than a “new room” and that can be achieved with only a few details! Get some wall decals, a new comforter, and maybe some of the prints above, and everything feels refreshed. What better holiday present could there be then redecorating the space we’re now all spending so much time in?
 
Additional Options:
Inspirational Ghillie Decal
Male and Female Dancer Decal
Shamrock Heart Decal

3. Ornaments
​
If your family puts up a Christmas tree, why not commemorate their love of dance with an ornament? Whether you’re celebrating them beginning their dance journey, or celebrating their wins (see the second one below,) an ornament is something they can keep forever—one day putting it on their own family’s tree. A fun and sentimental keepsake!
 
Additional Options:
Female Personalized Ornament
Qualifier Personalized Ornament
Funny Ornament

4. Stockings
​
Another one for those of us who celebrate Christmas: why not a stocking to go with that ornament? It might not match the rest of your holiday décor, but it sure will give Santa a laugh when he sees this personalized ghillie stocking! We’re all trying to find ways to make these holidays as wonderful as possible with everything this year has brought, and something like this customized to your dancer is a perfect way to make them feel special.
 
Additional Options:
Female Dancer Stocking
Personalized Photo Irish Stocking
Claddagh Stocking

5. Bedside Light

If you don’t want to commit to hanging or sticking something to your walls, consider something a little less permanent—like this customizable bedside light. For what’s been posted so far, can also choose to just purchase the decal and apply it wherever you want (and who doesn’t love a good sticker?) Below are some more fun options for a variety of tastes:
 
Additional Options:
With Academy Name
Irish Dancer Silhouette Light
Female Irish Dancer Nightlight

6. Mugs

The above mug may be specific to Irish dance sisters, but we know we have a lot of them at SRL! See the suggestions below for more mug options if your dancer doesn’t have a sibling. Might as well get something fun for your dancer to drink their cocoa out of this winter!
 
Additional Options:
“Reel Deal” Mug
Male/Female Dancer Personalized Mug
“Champion” Mug
 
This is Volume III of a series. Come back next Saturday for the next installment or read last week’s for some gift tips for your feis-obsessed dancer. And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

First Name:  Molley
 
Age:  8 years old 
 
How long have you been dancing with SRL? Why SRL? 
 
I’m in my 4th year.  My mom found a free class online, so I tried it.
 
How did you get started with Irish dance? 
 
My family loves to celebrate our Irish heritage and I liked to watch Riverdance on television, so I wanted to try it.
 
If you were an animal, which one would you be and why? 
 
Either a panda or a sea horse.  A panda because they are cute and cuddly and can do what they want.  A sea horse because you can swim all the time and they look really cool.
 
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? 
 
Candy - I love candy because it makes me hyper.
 
What’s your favorite thing about dancing? 
 
I get to meet new friends and learn new steps.
 
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why? 
 
I want to go to Paris because I want to see the Eiffel Tower and eat baguettes.
 
What do you daydream about? 
 
My puppies and getting my own Pomeranian, Shitzhu, or Corgi puppy.
 
What’s your favorite dance-related memory?
 
The first Feis I did in Glastonbury.  I came in second in the Reel and Light Jig.
 
Who do you look up to? 
 
I look up to my mom because she works hard and does nice things for me.  I want to be a teacher when I grow up like my mom, not math though, a writing or art teacher.
 
What’s the best advice you can give a new or younger dancer? 
 
If you need help, then you should ask the teacher and try as hard as you can.

This post is part of a series. See our Q&A with Avonlea here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

​The Harp
 
If you asked the average person on the street the national symbol of Ireland, 99% of people are probably going to guess the shamrock. It’s for good reason—when Saint Patrick came over from Wales (that’s right--Saint Patrick isn’t Irish!) to bring Christianity to the largely Pagan population of Ireland, he used a three-leaf shamrock to explain to holy trinity. And it’s not called the Emerald Isle for nothing--Ireland is more than 67% grasslands, making it the country with the highest proportion of natural vegetation in all of Europe. But the true national symbol of Ireland is something closer to the spirit of the Irish than the land: the harp.
 
The Celtic/Gaelic Harp or “Cláirseach” (having its own origins differing from those of European/Diatonic Harp or older, less complex harps in ancient Egypt) is believed to be approximately 1,000 years old. Even though the unpredictability of Ireland’s tradition of oral history means it could be even older, there’s less than a dozen Irish harps remaining from before the 1700s, so our knowledge of the harp before this time is a bit light. What we do know is harpists were celebrated in ancient Ireland, and legend tells us that the last high king of Ireland, Brian Boru (who died in 1014,) loved the harp so much that his son is said to have presented his father’s beloved instrument to the Pope as a sign of respect.

​But even while the harp might not be as common as it once was in Ireland, the symbol remains. The image of the Irish harp are featured on numerous items all over Ireland, including: the presidential seal, the royal coat of arms (which Henry VIII chose for Ireland himself when he declared himself King of Ireland in 1531,) Irish Euro coins, countless official documents, and as a logos for many prominent state-supported groups. Before 1922, when the Irish Free State officially adopted the current tri-color flag we all know, the Irish flag was a gold harp on a green background (as early as 1642!) It’s also a symbol that many a business chooses to denotes their essential Irishness: Guinness is, of course, the first one that comes to mind (though their harp is backward,) but there’s also innumerable pubs across the world and budget Irish airline Ryan Air!
 
But besides Ireland’s love of music, what has the harp come to symbolize? While it’s use on the Irish royal coat of arms means the harp is often associated with royalty, it is more closely associated with the Irish fight for a free state that goes back hundreds of years. Notably, The Society of United Irishmen, a political organization aimed at achieving Irish independence, even took on the harp as their flag with the motto: “Equality: It is now strung and shall be heard.” Many versions of the harp flag appeared over time before the uniting nature of the tri-color (the green representing Roman Catholics, the gold Protestants, and the white between them the hope for lasting peace.) While it might not be as emerald as a shamrock, the harp as Ireland’s national symbol seems more fitting—it’s come to represent the rebellious and proud spirit we still associate with Ireland to this day.

This is Volume II of a series. Read Volume I, about the history of Irish Halloween, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

For Your Competitor
 
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance!
 
This week on our Irish dancer gift guide, we’re concentrating on a different group of dancers: the feis enthusiasts! Is your dancer laser-focused on perfecting their moves before the next feis? Do they love moving up through the levels? Are you running out of places to put their ribbons? Then this is the guide is for you. And though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best to uplift small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal! (Fun note: most of the items are customizable with SRL’s colors!)

1. Ribbon Hangers

This one’s a no-brainer for the dancer who has more feis ribbons than they know what to do with—who doesn’t need more organizational options in their life? There’s more options for these than I could possibly post here, so there’s an option to fit every dancer’s style. (And, if your dancer is more about dancing recreationally—or  just younger—they make a pretty cute jewelry or coat hanger as well!)
Additional Options:
Dancing Girl Ribbon Hanger
Personalized Hanger
Comes in a Variety of Sizes

2. Shoe Bags

One pair of ghillies looks like every other pair of ghillies—so help your dancer come home with her own shoes with these personalized Irish dance shoe bags! Beyond that obvious benefit, this will keep whatever they stepped in from getting anywhere near the rest of their things, as well as protect those expensive shoes.
 
Additional Options:
Personalized Dance Shoe Bag
Ghillie-Shaped Bag
Backpack Option

3. Water Bottles
​
Almost everything in this post is able to be personalized, and for good reason—many kids and teens aren’t always the most careful with their personal belongings. These days, a personalized water bottle is more than a cute present, it’s a safety measure that will help your dancer steer clear of cross-contamination with their friends (or someone else with a blue water bottle.) The option pictured comes in a variety of fonts and colors, and there’s even male and female dancer decals you can add!
 
Additional Options:
Personalized Bottle with Shoes
Lidded Cup with Straw
Sport Top

4. Makeup Bags

Get your little treble maker something to keep false lashes and stage makeup in! Makeup bags run in that same realm of avoiding any cross contamination with friends, while also ensuring your dancer comes home with their own belongings. They can also be used as regular makeup bags, pencil cases, or general carryalls for those who prefer not get under those bright lights.
 
Additional Options:
“Feis Face” Bag
“Hard Work Beats Lazy Talent” Bag
“Eat, Sleep, Dance, Repeat” Bag

5. Custom Competition Mask and Tiara
​
This gift idea goes the extra mile and really embraces the reality of all the 2020 feiseanna. This Etsy seller will work with you to create two pieces that matches your dancer’s costume perfectly, along with a coordinating wrist band to hold the mask! Not many people do this kind of specialty work, so below I’ve linked a few fun hair accessories (for practice days,) instead.
 
Additional Options:
Personalized Headband
Ghillie Hair Bows
Sequined “Dance” Shamrock Headband

6. Dress Bags

Those competition dresses have all kinds of embellishments and can be pretty pricey—might as well make sure they’re well protected! Note the “lemon wedge” shape, perfect for keeping that full skirt as neat as when it was hanging in the closet. See below for a personalized garment bag versus dress bag—perfect for our male dancers’ costumes!
 
Additional Options:
With Matching Duffel
Customizable Sizes with Claddagh
Personalized Garment Bag
 
This is Volume II of a series. Come back next Saturday for the next installment or read last week’s for some gift tips for our youngest dancers. And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

Name: Courtney Jay TCRG
 
Position: Director and Instructor, all levels
 
How long have you been working at SRL? Why SRL?
 
It was my dream to create SRL! Since I was 12 years old I knew I was going to own an Irish dance studio. While I did not fully comprehend what that meant at the time, I had files upon files of documents on my computer with all my plans and visions. Looking back, it is pretty incredible that I had an idea at a young age that I committed to and brought to life in adulthood.
 
I opened SRL in 2014 when I was 22 years old and since then it has taken on a life of its own, much bigger and faster than my 12 year old self could have ever envisioned! My work at SRL includes the day to day operations, managing our team, teaching classes, protecting and executing the vision, and implementing business strategies to ensure we continue to grow and thrive. Everyday is different!
 
What are you interested in that most people aren’t?
 
Two things – competitive gymnastics (Elite and NCAA) and The Sims. Gymnastics is the only sport I’m interested in, and I can tell you in great detail what skills are being done while watching routines, about NCAA line ups, and watch every meet I can for both divisions. The Sims is something I indulge in during my VERY rare and sporadic moments of free time and I love to build things and get lost in my imaginary world.
 
How long have you been dancing? Why Irish dance?
 
I started Irish dance when I was six, after starting gymnastics and ballet as a two year old. I was really drawn to the quick movements and the driving music as a kid who was getting bored at the ballet barre. I begged my mom to let me switch to Irish for an entire summer before she agreed to sign me up, on the condition that I continued ballet. I was the kid who liked to quit everything, so I’m sure she wasn’t very confident I’d stick to Irish dance but here we are 23 years later!
 
As I got more into Irish dance, the draw that has kept me after all this time is you’re never done learning. There is always something new to learn or create – movements that trend and work their way into our repertoire each year, new rhythms that come to you in your sleep, and different pieces you’re creating to showcase a particular dancer’s strengths. No matter how good you get at it, there is always something more you can do, improve, or learn!
 
What movie can you watch over and over and never get tired of? Why?
 
I actually prefer to watch the same movies over and over again – my go to’s are: Any of the Harry Potter movies, Mean Girls, and Catch Me If You Can. I hate the process of picking something new to watch and wondering if I’ll like it, so I’m perfectly content to watch something tried and true.
 
How has dance affected your everyday life?
 
There aren’t very many areas of my life Irish dance hasn’t touched – my best friends and closest social circle is from Irish dancing. My oldest friends and I grew up dancing together elementary through high school and now we’re experiencing adulthood together. So many of my best experiences in life have been because of my involvement in Irish dancing – traveling the globe for competitions, attending events that have made me a better and stronger person, and building this business living out my dream career.
 
What’s the coolest place you’ve ever visited? (Remember travel?!)
 
Hawaii; if it wasn’t so far away and expensive, I would have already gone back. I really love the beach but there’s something about Hawaii that feels more magical and exotic than other beach destinations I frequent.
 
Why do you think people dance?
 
Ultimately I think it brings people joy – you get to move your body and release the endorphins that make you happy. Your mind gets to focus on something outside of the ‘everyday’ thoughts, worries, and stressors that we often get lost or caught up in. You are surrounded by people drawn to the same activity and have a common interest that bonds you. Going to dance class is like being surrounded in pure joy.
 
What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Why?
 
For quite some time, I wanted to be an architect. Part of that may come from my love of the Sims, which I’ve played since it was released in 2000. I was always drawing floor plans on paper, building in the Sims, and then in high school took drafting and architecture classes. While it ultimately wasn’t for me, I’m glad I got to experience those classes before I needed to make college decisions.
 
What advice do you have for aspiring dancers?
 
It sounds cliché, but never give up. I was not naturally talented and Irish dance was not easy for me when I started. I struggled until I decided I wanted to get better at it, started practicing at home, and then eventually reaped the benefits. Even once I had success, there were still times where certain steps, dances, or competitions challenged me and required me to be patient and dig deeper. If I had given up early on or once I was frustrated for a period of time, I wouldn’t be where I am today!

This post is part of a series. Read our Q&A with another instructor, Bailey, here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

The Form
 
If you had to ask someone who’s only seen competitive Irish dance once or twice in their life to describe it, the first things they mention are always going to be the same: 1) the footwork, 2) the distinctly rigid upper body, and 3) no arm movements. For the layman (or woman,) this is what makes Irish dance so clearly Irish dance when they compare it to other styles they’re familiar with. It’s not quite ballet or jazz or tap, but something unique and artful on its own terms…and it’s the lack of movement in the upper body that seem to distinguish it most clearly.
 
This brings us to the question that people have been asking for at least the last 100 years: how did Irish dance end up with such a disparate and distinguishing form? What swirls around out there are plenty of rumors and hearsay—myths and stories. But what can we know for sure?
 
The first issue with determining the form’s origins is that of Ireland’s oral tradition. Until the 1800s, we have very few recorded texts or notations of any dances that were performed. If you read the first three volumes (I, II, III) of this series, you know we only have the vaguest outline of Irish dance’s history, and what we do have speaks of bans, restrictions, and a variety of foreign influences over the years.

The rumors that abound can’t be confirmed or denied and largely concentrate on the English suppression of the Irish and the constant religious upheavals that have plagued Ireland for centuries. One story tells of the Irish dancers who were brought to England to perform for Queen Elizabeth I: they refused to raise their arms to the foreign queen and the concept caught on. Another tale tells us that the Irish would dance behind bars and hedges to hide their practice of Irish culture from the Anglican church in the 18th and 19th centuries—the only part the authorities could see was their torsos, so they learned to keep them still. This one seems even more unlikely (maybe they wouldn’t have seen their feet, but I think I’d notice a bartender hopping up and down,) but the time of hedge schools and religious oppression were very real.
 
The speculation doesn’t stop there, but it all revolves around a similar theme: oppression and defiance. It could be English soldiers tied the Irish up and made them dance, or that the Catholic church restricted the arm movements to make the dancing less provocative. Or maybe it’s just that Irish pubs are so crowded, you can’t move your arms! All these ideas seem to tell us more about the Irish love of storytelling than their dance traditions.
 
What seems more likely from a historical standpoint is a combination of two factors: the influence of French court etiquette and decisions made as Irish dance became a competitive and international art form. The Dance Masters of the 18th and 19th centuries were also known for their concentration on decorum, having been trained by the (supposedly) more refined French. In hopes of taming the “wild Irish,” arm movements were removed to help civilize them. But this could still just be gossip.

What we know for sure is that when the Gaelic League (“Conradh na Gaeilge”) was formed in 1893, and then the Irish Dancing Commission (“An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha”) in 1927, the two organizations decided on specific criteria for Irish dance that has mostly remained till this day. Though there’s some controversy in modern circles about the Irish Dancing Commission’s decisions to standardize Irish dance, it was considered helpful from the perspective of judging to have the arms uninvolved so there’s no distractions from the feet. In any case, this is the only real, recorded evidence we have available to us for a specific reason Irish dance developed such a unique form.
 
While competitive Irish dance still adheres to this rigid posture, there’s of course traditions and performances that break from this standard (most notably Sean Nós, céilí dancing, and modern interpretations of step dancing like Riverdance—something we’ll cover in another post!) However it came to be, the form that was once a symbol of oppression is now one of defiant skill. After all, Irish dance’s form has added another difficult element to a dance style already known for its rapid and complex footwork—no other dance style expects perfect balance without the help of the arms!
 
This is Volume IV of a series. Read Volume III about Dance Masters and Gaelic Clubs here. Check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.

For Your Littlest Dancer
 
Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a child in your life who loves to dance, wiggle, or move? Our taster session will give them the gift of dance!
 
With the holiday season creeping up on us, often so does the stress—and no more so than this year. We know a lot of parents have been feeling extra pressure to make holidays special for their kids in a year that’s been so out of the ordinary, so we’re here to help! Check out the blog every Saturday until the end of December for holiday gift guides for your Irish dancer—from stocking stuffers and accessories to prints and ideas for Mom and Dad—we’ll post a little something for everyone. Though you’ll find some bigger business links throughout, we’ve tried our best to promote small businesses in the Irish dance community wherever possible and we hope you’ll join us in that goal! First up, some fun ideas for our littlest dancers:

1. Picture Books
​
While a lot of Irish dance related books feature a female Irish dancer in traditional competition dress (which is fun, too! see more picture book suggestions below…) this book, written by Anna Marlis Bergard and illustrated by Leighanne Dees, is a rare children’s book about male Irish dancers. Set in old Ireland, Flying Feet: A Story of Irish Dance tells the story of two competing Dance Masters (learn more about them in our Origins of Irish Dance series here!) in the town of Ballyconneely. (It’s even reportedly based on a true event.)
 
Additional Options:
Irish Dancer: Oireachtas
Kathleen O’Byrne: Irish Dancer
Irish Dancing Girl

(P.S. If none of these books are your style, check out our other Irish children's book recommendations here.)

2. Stuffed Animals

Get your Tiny Jig or Pre-Beginner dancer something new to bring into class with them! While the bear featured in the picture has a competition dress on, this toy maker, Paddy Pals, has a wide variety of Irish bears, each with their own occupation and story. Check out their website—you won’t be disappointed in the care they put into each bear! (Or look below for a few more bear and non-bear options.)
 
Additional Options:
Another Teddy
Personalized, Various Animals
Stuffed Dancer Doll
​

3. Dolls and Doll Clothes

For your dancer with her eye on the prize, this Etsy seller has created a mini-version of a competition dress (advertised for American Girl dolls, but it should fit any 18 inch doll!) While they may not be able to compete just yet, setting goals and achieving them is one of the biggest benefits of starting your littlest in dance classes early. Help your dancer visualize their goal through play!
 
Additional Options:
A Male and Female Pair!
Another Option with Ghillies
Irish Dancer Nutcracker

4. Coloring and Activity Books

Sometimes, it’s hard to get your kids to practice. There’s nothing that will help that more than getting them excited about dancing, and activity books like these are the perfect way to have them thinking about dance even when they’re sitting still! And, not to mention, coloring has been proven to help improve motor skills, improve concentration, and develop a rich creative life—it’s a lot like dance that way.
 
Additional Options:
Irish Dancer Activity Book
Irish Dance Coloring Book
Another Coloring Book

5. Stationery
​
This one may seem out of left field, but I loved receiving stationery as a kid: it makes you feel grown up (especially if they’re personalized like these!) There are some benefits (outside of the excitement over the new gel pens I’d recommend as an addition) too: learning about our mail system, practicing writing, and teaching manners. Who knows—maybe you can even get grandma or one of your dancer’s cousins to write back and start a pen-pal relationship! Who doesn’t love getting real mail?
 
Additional Options:
Personalized Male Irish Dancer Cards
Irish Dancers Rock Cards
Irish Dancer Cards

6. Dance Bag

This personalized, sequined dance bag is the perfect present to make each dance class feel special. Our smallest dancers don’t have a need for a larger, studio duffel just yet, just somewhere to put their water bottle and teddy—these drawstring backpacks are the perfect size! And for our less glitzy dancers, check out some non-sequined options below:
 
Additional Options:
Dancing Girl Tote
Personalized Tote
Plain Cinch Backpack
 
This is Volume I of a series, come back next Saturday for the next installment! And check out the blog every Monday and Thursday for more posts about Irish history, dance culture, community news, and spotlights on our dancers, staff, and families—among other fun projects! And don’t forget to dance along with us on both Facebook and Instagram.