Introduction of Dances
The Table below gives a "rough" timeline of when the various dance forms were introduced into Ireland. Many of these are still in circulation in County Down,
1771 Minuets, Hornpipes. Country Dances & Cotillions
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1779 Minuets, Cotillions, Country Dances & Hornpipes
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1786 Figure Dances
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1789 Minuets, Cotillions & Hornpipes
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1792 Quadrilles & Cotillions
Northern Star 1792
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1792 Cotillions, & Figure Dances
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1794 Strathspey & Scots Reel
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1795 Cotillions & Figure Dances, Strathspeys & Reels, Country Dances
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1801 Scotch Hornpipe, Highland Flings
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1812 German Waltz
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The waltz in its current form shot to popularity around 1812 in the ballrooms of Paris and spread rapidly throughout Europe. However it is thought to have originated much earlier, probably from a figure of the Contredanse.
"The Waltz, in what may be called its “allemande” form, that is with entwining arm-movements but without the close hold, was undoubtedly known in England a number of years before 1812, and as such was probably used as a figure of a Cotillon or Contredanse. The word “waltz” simply means to turn, and the modern dance is derived from a turning dance of the peasants."
(Social Dances of the XIX Century, P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Pages 41 & 42)
1843 Polka
Opinions are divided with regards to the origin of the polka. Most authorities think the term “polka” derived from “pulka” meaning half-step. One of the more popular possibilities was that the dance was collected by Josef Neruda when he saw a peasant girl dancing to her own vocal accompaniment in Bohemia around 1830. He, or his followers, subsequently introduced the polka to high society in Prague in 1835.
(Social Dances of the XIX Century, P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Page 81)
Regardless of its history the polka was introduced into Paris in 1843 where it achieved unparalleled popularity spreading throughout western dance culture.
1845 Mazurka & the Polka Mazurka
The mazurka originally evolved from a Polish folk dance from the province of Masovia, and was apparently popular and subsequently spread into high society by the Polish army. In arrived in England around 1845 and was danced in sets of four or eight couples. The polka mazurka is thought to have been based on the polka and set to mazurka music and rhythm. Generally titled “the mazurka” the polka mazurka is still danced as a round dance in Counties Donegal and Down. (Social Dances of the XIX Century, P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Pages 96-97)
1848 Schottische
The schottische was another round dance finding popularity in the British Isles around the mid 19th Century; it first appeared in England around 1848.
(Social Dances of the XIX Century, P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Page 102)
1853 Varsoviana
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“La Varsoviana” or “The Varsovienna” was a round dance that achieved limited popularity in Ballroom society in the mid 19th Century; however it is still danced regularly in County Down. It was devised by a Spanish dancing teacher called Désiré and was first danced in Paris around 1853.
(Social Dances of the XIX Century, P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Page 97)
1886 Barndance
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Authorities agree that the barndance was originally called “the Military Schottische” is related to “the Pas de Quatre” and that it was introduced into England from America around 1886.
The People’s Ballroom Guide and Manual of Dancing, 1905: Page 37, edited by James Scott Skinner states;
The dance hails from America, its invention being credited to Mr M B Gilbert, of Boston; and it was brought over the Atlantic and introduced into this country in 1886 by Mr K M Sellars, Professor of Dancing in Glasgow and Ayr.