Description

In the decades spanning from the pre-Famine era to the dawn of the Gaelic Revival, communal dancing served as a vital social anchor for rural and urban populations alike. Dancing as a Social Pastime in the South-East of Ireland, 1800-97 delivers a thorough, beautifully accurate chronicle of how communities gathered in barns, crossroads, and assembly rooms across Wexford, Carlow, Kilkenny, and Waterford.

Utilizing local newspaper archives, travelers’ diaries, and early police logs, the text reconstructs the changing styles of dance—from traditional step dances to the controversial introduction of quadrilles and waltzes. The authors provide a functional analysis of the commercial networks of travelling dance masters and evaluate the frequent tensions between local youth pastimes and ecclesiastical authorities. It stands out as an invaluable reference cornerstone for cultural geographers, dance historians, and regional heritage collectors.

Core cultural insights evaluated within this volume:

• Crossroads to Hall Transition: Tracks the physical spaces where dancing occurred and how commercialization altered traditional community gatherings.

• Social Regulation Frameworks: Details the efforts by church and state institutions to monitor, restrict, or reshape popular leisure activities.

• Rich Archival Material: Supported by contemporary song sheets, local diary extracts, and vintage community sketches.