CUCHULAINN SET

This dance comes from the Cooley Peninsula in the east of County Louth. The Cuchulainn Set was taught in the Brooks Academy workshop at the Willy Clancy Summer School in 2001 by Michael and Kathleen McGlynn.

FORMATION

Square Set of four couples, Gents on the left of their partners. 1st Top Couple have their backs to the band. 1st Side Couple are on their left of 1st Top Couple (when facing into the set), 2nd Top Couple opposite and 2nd Side Couple on the right of 1st Tops. The progression of the active couple is 1st Tops, 1st Sides, 2nd Tops, 2nd Sides.

FIGURE 1: JIGS (136 BARS) - Lead up the Lady

There is a specific step used for the Advance and retire and the Lead down movements - see footwork.

All Couples	Join hands in the circle - Advance and retire twice + Swing (waltz hold)	16 bars
1st Top Couple	House inside	8 bars
1st Top Couple	Lead up the Lady: Right hand in right in front - Lead down the centre of the set [2 bars] + Turn Lady under changing places and facing out [2 bars] + Lead back + Turn Lady under changing to home position and face Partner	8 bars
All Couples	Swing (waltz hold)	8 bars
1st Side Couple	House inside + Lead up the Lady	16 bars
All Couples	Swing	8 bars
2nd Top Couple	House inside + Lead up the Lady	16 bars
All Couples	Swing	8 bars
Side Couples	House inside + Lead up the Lady	16 bars
All Couples	Swing	8 bars
All Couples	Advance and retire twice + Swing	16 bars

FIGURE 2: REELS (152 BARS) - Back to Back

This figure uses standard smooth Reel steps.

All Couples	Circle - Advance and retire twice + Swing (waltz hold)	16 bars
Top Gents	Back to Back: Advance towards Opposite Lady passing Opposite Gent right shoulder to right [1 bar] + Dance diagonally right and forward into Opposite Gent's place still facing original direction [1 bar] + Dance in place [2 bars] + Dance straight backwards (towards Partner) passing Opposite Gent left shoulder to left [1 bar] + Dance diagonally left and backward into original place [1 bar] + Dance in place [2 bars]	8 bars
Top Ladies	Back to Back: Pass Opposite Lady left shoulder to left + dance in Opposite Lady's place + Dance backward passing Opposite Lady right shoulder to right + Dance into original place + dance in place turning to face Partner	8 bars
Top Couples	Swing (waltz hold)	8 bars
Top Couples	Back to Back: Advance passing Opposite right shoulder to right + Dance to the right slightly + Dance backward passing Opposite left shoulder to left + Turn to the right into place	8 bars
Top Couples	Ladies chain: Give right hands in the centre + Left hand to Opposite Gent and turn under and both turn + Pass right shoulders on the way back + Right hand to Partner turning Lady under in front into basket of four	8 bars
Top Coulples	Swing in four (Basket) opening out for...	8 bars
All Couples	Swing	8 bars
Side Couples	Gents Back to Back + Ladies Back to Back + Swing + Both Back to Back + Ladies Chain + Basket	48 bars
All Couples	Swing + Advance and retire twice + Swing	24 bars

FIGURE 3: REELS (136 BARS) - Queen Maeve (?)

This figure uses a Reel step similar to Aran battering - see footwork.

All Couples	Join hands in the circle - Advance and retire twice + Swing (ceili hold)	16 bars
1st Top Couple	House inside (crossed hand hold)	8 bars
All Couples	Face Partner - Dance free in place [8 bars] + Swing (ceili hold) [8 bars]	16 bars
1st Side Couple	House inside	8 bars
All Couples	Dance free + Swing	16 bars
2nd Top Couple	House inside	8 bars
All Couples	Dance free + Swing	16 bars
2nd Side Couple	House inside	8 bars
All Couples	Dance free + Swing	16 bars
All Couples	Advance and retire twice + Swing	16 bars

FIGURE 4: HORNPIPE (128 BARS)

This figure uses a Hornpipe step with doubling - see footwork.

All Couples	Join hands in the circle - Advance and retire twice	8 bars
All Ladies	Ladies Advance, turn and dance around Gent: Advance [2 bars] + Turn to face out [2 bars] + Dance out clockwise around Gent who was on the right (passing right shoulder to right) returning current home place [4 bars]	8 bars
All Gents	Right hand star clockwise (Brigid's cross - hand on wrist) + Left hand star + Collect new Partner from her Corner place on last two bars (Open waltz hold) and...	8 bars
New Couples	Lead around to Gent's place	8 bars
Repeat 3 times	Ladies - Advance, turn and dance around the Gent + Gents - Right hand star + Left hand star + All Lead around	3 x 24 bars
All Couples	Circle - Advance and retire twice + House around doubling last two bars	16 bars

FOOTWORK

Figure 1 - Jigs (used for Advance and retire and Lead up the Lady)

Ladies:

R-L-R-cut (bring left foot across in front of right pointing toe towards floor) +
L-R-L-cut (right foot) x 4 times for 8 bars

Gents:

L-R-L-cut (bring right foot across in front of left pointing toe towards floor) +
R-L-R-cut (left foot) x 4 times for 8 bars

Figure 3 - Reels

Ladies:

hop-R-L-R hop-L-R-L x 4 times for 8 bars stamping on the last beat

Gents:

hop-L-R-L hop-R-L-R x 4 times for 8 bars stamping on the last beat

Figure 4 - Hornpipes

Ladies step:

Hop-L Step-R-L-R Hop-R Step-L-R-L +
Hop-L Step-R Hop-R Step-L Hop-L Step-R-L-R
(i.e. Hop-123 Hop 123 Hop-1 Hop-2 Hop-123)

Gents step:

Hop-Right Step-L-R-L Hop-Left Step-R-L-R +
Hop-R Step-L Hop-L Step-R Hop-R Step-L-R-L
(i.e. Hop-123 Hop 123 Hop-1 Hop-2 Hop-123)

Newcastle Irish Set Dancers

Dance Instructions