What is set dancing and whats the difference between set and cil?
The terminology can be confusing, but when we say sets on this web page, we mean the kind of group dancing popular today in Ireland (and around the world) in which the feet stay low to the ground, and people dance in sets of eight. If you find yourself in Ireland today, especially in County Clare and along the west coast, you are far more likely to see adults dancing the Caledonian Set or the North Kerry Set than the Walls of Limerick or others listed above as cil dances. The styles are different, but both are challenging and entertaining. For a better description from someone with many hours’ experience set dancing, who is also a charming and generous dancer himself, see Set Dancing News.
