BORLIN POLKA SET

This dance was first introduced to the group by Christy Mac Gearailt, set dance instructor from Dingle in West Kerry. Other published instructions for this dance may differ slightly. Other sources include Pat Murphy's "Toss the Feathers", Tom Quinn's "Irish Dance" and Volume 6 of the video series "The Magic of Irish Set Dancing". Joe O'Hara has a version of this set online.

Formation

Square Set of four couples, Gents on the left of their partners. First Top Couple have their backs to the band, with Second Tops opposite them. First Sides Couple are on the left of First Top Couple (when facing into the set) and Second Side Couple are opposite them.

FIGURE 1: POLKA (152 Bars)

All Couples	Front promenade hold - Lead around and turn lady under	8 bars
All Couples	Kick Polka	16 bars
All Couples	House the set	8 bars
Top Couples	House around other couple	8 bars
Top Couples	Square around other couple and house to place	8 bars
Top Couples	Ladies chain - right arms in centre; link left arm with opposite gent; rigth arms on the way back	8 bars
Top Couples	Waltz hold - Swing with own partner	8 bars
All Couples	Kick Polka; House the set	24 bars
Side Couples	House around other couple; Square; Ladies chain; Waltz hold swing	32 bars
All Couples	Kick Polka; House the set	24 bars

FIGURE 2: POLKA (136 Bars)

All Couples	Lead around and turn lady under; Kick polka; House the set	32 bars
Top Couples	House around other couple	8 bars
Top Couples	Square twice	16 bars
All Couples	Kick Polka; House the set	24 bars
Side Couples	House around other couple	8 bars
Side Couples	Square twice	16 bars
All Couples	Kick Polka; House the set	24 bars

FIGURE 3: POLKA (168 Bars)

All Couples	Lead around and turn lady under; Kick polka; House the set	32 bars
Top Couples	House inside; Square	16 bars
Top Couples	Advance and retire (right hand in right) + Lady crosses to her partner's left as they retire (4 bars); Cross to opposite side (pass right shoulders) and turn around (turning toward partner) (4 bars); repeat to place (8 bars)	16 bars
Top Couples	Swing in waltz hold	8 bars
All Couples	Kick Polka; House the set	24 bars
Side Couples	House around; Square	16 bars
Side Couples	Advance and retire (right hand in right) + Lady crosses to partner's left as they retire (4 bars); Cross to opposite side and turn around (turning toward partner) (4 bars); repeat to place (8 bars)	16 bars
Side Couples	Swing in waltz hold	8 bars
All Couples	Kick Polka; House the set	24 bars

FIGURE 4: POLKA (120 Bars)

Top Couples	Lead around inside set (open ballroom hold + gents link left hands)	8 bars
Top Couples	House around other couple	8 bars
Top Couples	Square 4 times	32 bars
Top Couples	House around other couple	8 bars
Side Couples	Lead around inside set (open ballroom hold + gents link left hands)	8 bars
Side Couples	House around; Square 4 times; House around each other to finish	48 bars

FIGURE 5: HORNPIPE (160 bars)

All Couples	Open ballroom hold - Lead around to next position (2 bars); Waltz hold - Double to position opposite (2 bars); Repeat this combination 3 more times - twice around the set	16 bars
All Couples	Double around the set	8 bars
All Couples	Ladies walk on to the gent on their right, Gents stand in place	8 bars
All Couples	Repeat three more times: Lead and double twice around the set; Double around the set; Ladies walk on - to meet partner last time	96 bars
All Couples	Lead and Double twice around the set; Double around the set to finish	24 bars

REFERENCES

Murphy, Pat (1995). Toss the Feathers. Mercier Press: Cork. 77-78.
Quinn, Tom (1997). Irish Dancing. HarperCollins: Glasgow. 80-85.

Page created by: Arthur Kingsland