Set dances, sometimes called "country sets", are a popular form of folk dancing in Ireland. Set dancing is always fast paced and ornamented with much rythmic foot-stamping. many sets are based on polka steps. There are several regional variations such as the South Galway Set and the Clare Set.

Sets are based on quadrilles. The latter court dances were transformed by Irish into a unique style of Irish rural community.

Typically, four couples are arranged in a square to dance. Both the eight dancers in the group and the dance itself are called 'set'. The dance is a sequence of several dance figures.

Set dance differs from square dance and round dance in that it does not require a caller: the sequence of figures is predefined by the name of the set.

External link

Set Dancing News (http://www.setdancingnews.net/)