A Beginner's Guide To Irish Dances: Reels and Jigs

If you're new to Irish dancing, it can sometimes feel as though everyone is speaking a different language.

At classes and competitions you may hear dancers talking about reels, jigs, hornpipes and set dances. While it can sound confusing at first, most Irish dances fall into a few simple categories.

This guide explains the main dance types that beginner dancers and parents are most likely to encounter.

Soft Shoe and Hard Shoe Dancing

Irish dances are generally divided into two categories:

• Soft shoe dances, performed in pumps (also known as ghillies in some regions)
• Hard shoe dances, performed in jig shoes

Most dancers begin with soft shoe dances before progressing to hard shoe dancing.

Soft Shoe Dances

Soft shoe dances are performed in pumps and focus on rhythm, timing, posture and graceful movement.

Most dancers start their Irish dance journey by learning soft shoe dances.

Reel

The reel is often one of the very first dances taught to beginners.

It is energetic and flowing, with plenty of travelling across the stage. Reels feature jumps, leaps and lively footwork, making them a favourite with many young dancers.

Light Jig

The light jig is another common beginner dance.

It has a distinctive bouncing rhythm and places a strong emphasis on timing and neat footwork. Many dancers learn a light jig alongside their reel during their first year of Irish dancing.

Slip Jig

The slip jig is often considered one of the most graceful Irish dances.

It features flowing movements, pointed toes and elegant travelling steps. Traditionally, slip jigs have been associated with female dancers and are still most commonly danced by girls in competition.

Single Jig

The single jig is less commonly seen than reels or light jigs but is still taught and competed in some regions and organisations.

It uses a simpler rhythm and often appears in beginner and primary levels.

Hard Shoe Dances

Hard shoe dances are performed in jig shoes, which create the distinctive clicking sounds many people associate with Irish dancing.

These dances combine rhythm, musicality and precise footwork.

Treble Jig

The treble jig is usually the first hard shoe dance learned by many dancers.

It is performed at a slower pace than some other hard shoe dances, allowing dancers to develop strength, control and clear sound production.

Hornpipe

The hornpipe is one of the most recognisable hard shoe dances.

It features strong rhythms, precise timing and intricate footwork. As dancers progress through the grades, hornpipes often become increasingly complex and technically demanding.

Set Dances

Set dances are choreographed dances performed to specific pieces of music.

Unlike reels, jigs and hornpipes, which follow general dance structures, each set dance has its own music and choreography.

Many dancers begin learning set dances as they progress through the higher grades and championship levels.

Traditional Set Dances

Traditional set dances have been performed for generations and use fixed music and choreography.

Some of the best-known traditional set dances include:

• St Patrick's Day
• Blackbird
• Job of Journeywork
• Garden of Daisies
• Three Sea Captains
• King of the Fairies

Modern Set Dances

Advanced dancers may also perform modern set dances.

Unlike traditional set dances, the choreography is created by the dancer's teacher and performed to approved set dance music.

Céilí Dances

While most competitions focus on solo dancing, dancers may also take part in céilí teams.

Céilí dancing involves groups of dancers performing traditional formations and movements together. Many schools teach céilí dancing alongside solo dancing, and team competitions are often an important part of Irish dance events.

Which Dances Will My Child Learn First?

Most beginner dancers start with a reel and a light jig before progressing to slip jig and, later, hard shoe dances.

The exact order varies between schools and organisations, but almost every dancer begins by building strong foundations in soft shoe dancing before moving on to jig shoes.

As dancers progress through the grades, they will usually learn hornpipes, set dances and, in many schools, Céilí dances as well.

Although the terminology can seem confusing at first, parents quickly become familiar with the different dance types. Before long, you'll probably find yourself discussing reels, slip jigs and hornpipes just like every other Irish dance parent.