Newcastle Irish Set Dancers
…run fun classes in Irish Set dancing - the social dancing of the Irish. The group is located in Newcastle, New South Wales (Australia) and is part of the Newcastle and Hunter Valley Folk Club. Classes are held at The Place - Charlestown Community Centre & are generously supported by the Community Centre.
There are two new Irish Set dances directly connected to our local group. A set that is becoming increasingly popular is the Charlestown Set written by Julia Smith
For a few years a “New Irish Set Dances” competition was integrated with the “Sweets of May” festival in Tralee, Ireland. In 2013 James Garner (a young former member of the Newcastle Irish Set Dancers, but now resident in Sydney) entered his Hunter Valley Set and Julia Smith entered her Charlestown Set. James’ set won the competition and Julia’s set placed second - ahead of all the other sets by native Irish composers! So, we have two sets dedicated to our local group - both having won international recognition, and more specifically recognition in Ireland!
New to Irish Set Dancing? Visit our special page giving Handy Hints for Beginners…
