This set was composed by Amie Morrissey for a celebration to commemorate the Battle of Affane, which took place in 1565 at Affane, near Lismore in Countyn Waterford. The set was demonstrated at the Sweets of May Dance Festival in Tralee in 2015.
This battle was fought in 1565 at the ford of Affane, near Lismore in County Waterford, between the Fitzgeralds of Desmond, led by Gerald, Earl of Desmond, and the Butlers of Ormond, led by Thomas, Earl ofOrmond. It was one of the last private battles fought in Britain or Ireland. The battle was won by the Butlers. Near the end of the battle, the Earl of Desmond was wounded and taken captive. Elizabeth I, who ruled at the time, summoned both earls to London. Thomas Butler, known as Tomas Dubh, was one of her favourites. They were cousins, related through her mother, Anne Boleyn. He was said to have been an excellent dancer and one of the queen’s dancing partners at court. She called him her ‘black husband’. Thomas was released, while Gerald Fitzgerald and his two brothers spent seven years in the Tower of London.
Notes by Pat Murphy from Set Dancing News Dec 2015/Jan 2016
Figure 1: The battle (Jig)
136 Bars + 8 bar lead-in
The first figure symbolises scenes from the battle: All couples lead around as if leading into battle. Top couples advance and retire slowly, representing the Earl of Desmond's approach to seize Maurice Fitzgerald's cattle in lieu of unpaid dues, then swing in four to show the alliance formed between Maurice Fitzgerald and the Earl of Ormond. Top gent steps back to show that Maurice Fitzgerald took no part in the battle and he stamps and taps his knee to represent the shooting of the Earl of Desmond.
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| 1 | Everyone All couples lead around holding crossed hands and finish facing the centre. Ladies do not turn. |
8 |
| 2 | Tops Advance & Retire Top couples advance dancing 123 kick or lift and retire dancing 1 2 1 2 3 (4b), then advance again and ladies turn in to face each other from side positions to form a circle of four in the centre (4b). Ladies place their hands on the gents' shoulders. |
8 |
| 3 | Swing in four Top couples swing in four in the centre (6b), then both gents retire to place, both ladies going with the second gent so that the three of them are facing the top gent (2b). | 8 |
| 4 | Everyone Ladies Cross As all dance on the spot, first top lady (the visiting lady) turns clockwise in place (2b), then second top lady (on the gent's right) turns anticlockwise in place (2b), then, as first top lady dances across to her own position, top gent stamps with his right foot and taps his right knee and all face their partners in place (4b). |
8 |
| 5 | Tops Swing Top couples swing in place in waltz hold. |
8 |
| 6 | Repeat 2 to 5 Second couple leading. this time, both ladies retire beside the first top gent after swing in four. | 32 |
| 7 | Sides Dance 2 to 5 First side couple (on the left) leading. Both ladies retire with the gent on the right after swing in four. |
32 |
| 8 | Repeat 2 to 5 Second side couple (on the right) leading. Both ladies retire with the gent on the left after swing in four. This last time, all four couples swing in place to finish. | 32 |
Figure 2: The years after (Hornpipe)
136 Bars + 8 bar lead-in
The second figure symbolises scenes from life in the area in the following years after the battle. All couples dance around the house, showing the importance of Dromana House, the home of the Fitzgerald family in the lives of the community. The chain symbolises the changes of ownership and lives over the years. The arches under which the ladies pass represent Dromana Bridge and the advance and retire represent the tides on the River Blackwater and its importance to the community.
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| 1 | Everyone House All couples house around in waltz hold. |
8 |
| 2 | Chain Taking their partner's right hand in right, all chain around the house. As ladies touch hands with the last gent they meet, the step to the centre. | 8 |
| 3 | Ladies Wheel & Gents Arch Ladies join raised right hands in the centre and dance three-quarter way around to the next ladies position right of their own, while gents dance on the spot (4b). Gents now step in to join hands, then raise their arms to make arches, under which the ladies reverse into their new positions and turn clockwise in place (4b). | 8 |
| 4 | 7's In & Out In waltz hold with their new partners, all couples dance sevens towards the centre, then turn once in place, dancing 1, 2, 3, 4 (4b). Then they dance sevens outwards from their positions and turn in place again (4b). | 8 |
| 5 | Repeat 1 to 4 Repeat three times, so that they are dancing with their own partners the last time. | 96 |
| 6 | Doubling House Taking céili hold, all couples double around the house. | 8 |
Figure 3: Today (Polka)
160 Bars + 8 bar lead-in
The third figure danced to polkas symbolises set dancing in the Waterford and South Tipperary areas today, as represented by the local Ballyduff Set, the Sliabh gCua Set, Dungarvan Set, Cashel Set and many others.
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| 1 | Everyone Advance & Retire 2x All advance and retire twice holding raised hands in a circle. |
8 |
| 2 | Swing All couples swing in waltz hold. | 8 |
| 3 | Tops House Top couples house around each other. |
8 |
| 4 | Ladies Chain To Opposite Gent With raised hands, top ladies chain with right hands in the centre and turn left hand in left around opposite gents (4b). They now turn around each other in the centre and finish in the opposite lady's position, facing opposite gent (4b). | 8 |
| 5 | Waterford Steps In waltz hold with their new partners, top couples dance the Waterford steps as they dance to the centre and back: Gent: Step in L, Tap R heel in front, Hop L, tap R toe to side, Hop L, Tap R heel in front, Hop L (2b) Gent: Step out R, Tap L heel in front, Hop R, tap L toe to side, Hop R, Tap L heel in front, Hop R (2b) The lady dances the same steps starting on her opposite foot. | 4 |
| 6 | Ladies Cross Home Top ladies cross to home, passing right shoulder to right. | 4 |
| 7 | Swing Top couples swing in place. | 8 |
| 8 | Sides Dance 1 to 7 |
32 |
| 9 | Tops Dance 1 to 7 |
32 |
| 10 | Sides Dance 1 to 7 |
32 |
| 11 | Everyone Advance & Retire 2x All advance and retire twice holding raised hands in a circle. |
8 |
| 12 | Swing All couples swing in waltz hold. | 8 |
Modified on 2016-11-23 14:35:33.
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