ANTRIM SQUARE SET

This dance was written in 2003 by Des Jackson who dances with the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers in Australia. Des was born in County Antrim and decided to create a dance to celebrate the place of his birth.

FORMATION and FOOTWORK

Square Set of four couples, Gents on the left of their partners. Top Couples either have their backs to the band or face the band. The other Couples are Side Couples. The Reel Figure uses smooth Clare Reel stepping. The Jig figure uses the "up" jig step, and the Slide figure a flattish slide (or polka) step.

FIGURE 1: REELS (144 BARS)

All Couples	Upper promenade hold – Lead around anti-clockwise + Pivot turn to face clockwise with Gents remaining in the centre [8 bars] + Lead back to place [8 bars] + Swing (waltz hold)	24 bars
Ladies	Star of Ulster: Right hand star with upper arms raised and palms touching + Left hand star back to place	8 bars
Gents	Star of Ulster: Right hand star with upper arms raised and palms touching + Left hand star back to place	8 bars
Top Couples	House around inside [8 bars] + Open Waltz hold - Square (dance to face Side Couple on the right + Back away into Opposite position facing Home + House halfway to home) [8 bars]	16 bars
All Couples	Big Square: Tops join nearer hand with Partner while Sides face Partner - Each dancer dances a small square bounded by their home position, the centre of the set, the nearer Corner position (Top of Side position) and the outside corner of the set... Tops advance and turn while Side back away and turn (Push-2-3, push-2-3, turning 90 degrees on 2-3) [2 bars] Tops (in the middle with backs to nearer Sides position) back away and turn while Sides (at edge of the set facing Tops normal position) advance [2 bars] Tops (facing Opposite in Sides position) back away and turn while Sides (with Opposite in Tops position) take nearer hand - Advance and turn [2 bars] Tops (at edge of the set facing home position) advance and dance in place while Sides (in the middle with backs to home position) back away and dance in place [2 bars] Reverse direction so Sides Advance to the centre while Tops back away to their corner, etc. finishing with Side advancing to place from the corner of the set and Tops backing away out of the centre to Home position	16 bars
All	Swing (waltz hold) + House the set	16 bars
Sides	House around inside + Square	16 bars
All	Big Square with Sides leading (Sides in while Tops face Partner and back away) + Reverse (Tops in / Sides back away)	16 bars
All	Swing	8 bars
All	House the set	8 bars

FIGURE 2: JIGS (136 BARS)

All Couples	Lead around + Pivot turn + Lead back + Swing	24 bars
Top Couples	Crossovers: Top Ladies pass right shoulder to right followed by Gents passing left shoulders + Turn in towards Partner + Repeat back to place and finish in the centre for...	8 bars
Top Couples	Basket [8 bars] + Swing back to place [8 bars]	16 bars
All	Big Square (Tops in / Sides face Partner and back away) + Reverse (Sides in / Tops back away) + Swing	24 bars
Sides	Crossovers + Basket + Swing to place	24 bars
All	Big Square (Sides in / Tops face Partner and back away) + Reverse (Tops in / Sides back away) + Swing	24 bars
All	House the set	8 bars

FIGURE 3: SLIDES (152 BARS)

All Couples	Lead around + Pivot turn + Lead back + Swing	24 bars
Top Couples	Slide and change: Waltz hold - Slide in and back + House halfway + Slide in and back + House to place	16 bars
Corners	Swing your Corner (waltz hold)	8 bars
All	Dance to Partner + Swing	8 bars
All	Big Square (Tops in / Sides back away) + Reverse + Swing	24 bars
Sides	Slide and change across and back to place	16 bars
Corners	Swing your Corner (waltz hold)	8 bars
All	Dance to Partner + Swing	8 bars
All	Big Square (Sides in / Tops back away) + Reverse + Swing	24 bars
All	House the set	8 bars

Newcastle Irish Set Dancers

Dance Instructions