Instruments

A variety of instruments are played at a feis including fiddles, accordions, and flutes. A traditional instrument rarely seen at a feis is the Irish uillean pipe. It is a complicated bellows-blown instrument that differs from the more often seen Scottish Highlands pipes. The sound has been described as being more appropriate for playing an Irish air in the parlor rather than the stirring sound of the Scottish bagpipe. The number of Irish pipers has grown recently; one was spotted at a historical reenactment of a 19th Century trade fair at New Boston, Ohio in 1995. Irish pipers were predominant in the traditional culture for 200 years (the gentry sometimes kept one in-house), but the suppression by the English led to their decline.  Want to learn more about Irish music and Irish dance?  Click here

Step dancing (sometimes referred to as "Irish dance") is a type of recreational and competitive folk dance that has been popularized by the world-famous "Riverdance" and "Lord of the Dance." Although it is most widespread in Ireland, it is also found in Scotland and the North of England (where it is better known as clog dancing). When performed as a solo dance, it is generally characterized by a stiff upper body and the quick and precise movements of the feet. Couples also dance with other couples, in a manner similar to a square dance; these dances are called "country sets" and are danced throughout Ireland with many regional variations. Larger groups of four, six, eight, or more people can dance traditional céilí dances, in which the steps are prescribed. Some of the ceili dances are named after the traditional Irish tunes to which they are danced; others can be done to any jig or reel.    Want to read more about Irish dances and their descriptions?...click here

Check out the Ireland information guide website for great information on Irish dance history along with music and culture.