“Born Parish of Tulla, December 1912, ‘getting on for 79 at the moment’, lived there till 23 or 24, then migrated to England for 14 to 15 years and got married there, then migrated to Australia, drawn by the land of sunshine from the cold winters, in 1962. First to Melbourne, but didn’t like living in big cities, and when I come to Canberra I thought, this is the place for me and I’ve been here ever since.” Source: Recorded interview, National Library of Australia Jennifer Gall

When Jack Canny was dancing in Clare in the 1920s and 1930s, sets were danced to whatever music was being played by the musician. Very often, it was polkas, which is hard to believe today as reels seem synonymous with Clare dancing. This set can be danced all three figures separately or together without stopping, to either reels, polkas or jigs (down-step).

SPACE - Takes more room than a full set of 8 people. Gents should ensure not to dance too close together in the centre — allow room for both ladies to turn with their backs to each other in the centre while they are facing the gent.

* STEPS - Use basic steps for reels, jigs, polkas - (heel)1,2,3; (heel) 1,2,3 rather than the “advance” version of 1,2, 1,2,3 or slide & slide & 1,2,3. The latter will not work.

Dance by Nora Stewart, originally added from notes available on setdancing.com.au[now defunct]. Additional notes in [].