Irish Set Dancing Made Easy Volume 1 DVD The Claddagh Set,The Sliabh Luachra Set,The Clare Orange and Green
Cloonacauneen castle has twined the ancient charms of the past with the recreational demand of today. Like the castle, the Irish Set and Ceili dance tradition has its own history and ever since the first ceilis were held in the 1890 s, the ceili phenomenon has spread from Ireland to the four corners of the world. The tutors featured on this recording, amongst others, have insured through their teaching that the unique characteristics of these dances remain intact and that the dance are preserved in the best way possible. Unless these dances are learned and danced in the proper fashion, over time they will become dramatically different. Matt Cunningham and Ainm Music would like to thank the tutors, dancers and musicians who agreed to be part of this recording, for their time and enthusiasm and most especially for their fine performances. Finally, this recording is for you. I hope that you enjoy it and if you learn from it and put what you have learned into practice on the dance floor, wherever in the world you may be, then this recording will have in its own way taken steps to preserve and enhance one of our greatest Irish traditions so come with me and step it out! It s easy --Matt CunninghamIf its Irish Set Dancing Music or Traditional Music you like the best in Ireland must be Matt Cunningham. It was Joe O'Donovan a renowned dancing instructor who described Matt as a pioneer in the recording of appropriate Music for set dancing. His balance of bright and lively music with the right amount of lift is essential for the dancer and is one of the reasons for his huge popularity. It was another well-known instructor who said Matt Cunningham s Dance Music of Ireland Volume 1 to 12 is the Complete Dance Music of Ireland Collection --Irish Music Magazine