Category: Irish Set

Description:

This set was given to us by Gerard Butler. It was put together by Ger’s father Seamus and reflects Ger’s memories of his early life in Roscommon and dancing in those times. Polka steps are danced for the Jig.
Originally added from notes by Pat Murphy from Set Dancing News December 2014 Jan 2015 with edits based on a demonstration video called by Gerard Butler.

Figure 1: Pass through and star (Polka)

168 Bars + 8 bar lead-in

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1	Everyone Dance the body in waltz hold. Facing their partners, step (123) to the centre and back twice (4b), then make one turn clockwise into the next position on the right (2b) and dance on the spot there (2b). Repeat 3 more times, dancing around the set to home	32
2	House Dance around the house.	8
3	Tops Pass through and reverse back Pass through with ladies in the centre and gents on the outside, then reverse back with gents in the centre and ladies outside, dancing back to back with the opposite person.	8
4	Right and left star Dance a right hand star and dance one full clockwise turn (4b), take left hands and dance around to their own places. (4b)	8
5	Swing Swing in waltz hold.	8
6	Everyone Body	32
7	House	8
8	Sides Dance 3 to 5	24
9	Everyone Body	32
10	House	8

Figure 2: Arches (Reel)

120 Bars + 8 bar lead-in

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1	Everyone Advance & Retire 2x Advance and retire twice in a circle.	8
2	Dance for your partner Dance out on the spot facing your partner in place.	8
3	Swing Swing in waltz hold.	8
4	Tops Advance and cross over Advance and retire once, right hand in right, ladies moving in anticlockwise to face their partners as the gents retire (4b). Ladies reverse across to opposite positions as the gents dance forward and during the last bar, gents step anticlockwise into opposite positions, keeping the hands down (4b).	8
5	Advance and cross home Repeat to return home	8
6	Arch across Top couples advance and retire again (4b), then leading couple (first tops this time) form an arch and both couples cross, second couple dancing under the arch with the lady turning clockwise under the gent's arm. During the last two bars, leading gent dances around outside his partner, bringing his hand over her head as she turns anticlockwise into place, while opposite gent dances into place inside the lady.	8
7	Arch back home Repeat the arch dancing back to home with second couple making the arch.	8
8	Swing Swing in waltz hold.	8
9	Sides Dance 4 to 8 First side couple are on the left of first tops.	40
10	Everyone Dance for your partner	8
11	Swing	8

Figure 3: Stars (Reel)

136 Bars + 8 bar lead-in

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1	Everyone Lead around Holding crossed hands.	8
2	Dance for your partner Dance out on the spot facing their partners in place.	8
3	Swing Swing in waltz hold.	8
4	Tops Ladies and Gents cross over and back Ladies cross right shoulder to right (2b), followed by the gents, who cross left shoulder to left (2b). They then cross back to home in the same way	8
5	Top Ladies Ladies dance around right Ladies advance right shoulder to right and dance a full turn around each other facing each other all the time, then reverse back to their own places.	8
6	Top Gents Gents dance around left Gents advance left shoulder to left and dance a full turn around each other facing each other all the time, then reverse back as the ladies advance to meet them.	8
7	Tops Swing in four Swing in four in the centre, arms down around the waist.	8
8	Ladies chain Ladies chain with right hands, turn left hand in left around the opposite gents and dance back to place.	8
9	Everyone Dance for your partner	8
10	Swing	8
11	Sides Dance 4 to 8	40
12	Everyone Dance for your partner	8
13	Swing	8

Figure 4: Crossover (Jig)

104 Bars + 8 bar lead-in

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1	Everyone Advance & retire 2x Advance and retire twice in a circle, dancing polka steps (123).	8
2	Chain All face their partners, take right hand in right and chain all around the set.	16
3	Swing Swing in waltz hold.	8
4	Crossover Top ladies cross passing right shoulder to right and side ladies cross passing right shoulder to right, then top gents cross left shoulder to left and side gents cross left shoulder to left.	8
5	Crossover back home Repeat crossing back to home	8
6	Tops Ducks Top couples face the side couples on their left and dance around once in a circle in single file, each gent dancing in front of his partner.	8
7	Swing in four Swing in four with the side couples on their left.	8
8	Sides Dance 6 and 7 Side couples leading. Side ladies cross first and side gents cross before top gents.	8
9	Ducks Side couples face the top couples on their left and dance around once in a circle in single file, each gent dancing in front of his partner.	8
10	Swing in four Side couples swing in four with the top couples on their left.	8
11	Everyone Advance & retire 2x Advance and retire twice in a circle, dancing polka steps (123).	8
12	Swing	8

Added on 2016-05-27 17:46:41.
Modified on 2016-05-27 17:46:41.
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