Irish Dancing in Sydney: Global Patterns, Local Practices

Abstract

ABSTRACTIrish dancing has undergone global dissemination in a pattern which mirrors the dissipation of Irish citizens to multiple diasporic locations. As was the case in Ireland itself, practices of Irish dancing are grounded in localised contexts: historical, political, economic and social. In Australia, Irish immigrants have a long settlement history, were eventually absorbed into the white majority population, and currently enjoy economic comfort. Irish step dancing became enfranchised through fusion with other genres and the global influence of electronic media. The effects of this positional change were felt not only in Ireland but throughout the world, including Sydney Australia. This paper draws on ethnographic data collected in Sydney to contextualise current Irish dancing practices there. Irish dancing is prominent in the amateur performance arena and is valued by its practitioners for the personal and social benefits it provides. Yet it is firmly situated within the majority populace of white Australians. Studies of Irish dancing practices reflect the social situation of both the dancing itself and the participants who dance it and thus engage with discourses concerning diaspora, community and performance studies.