The Sliabh Luachra Set from the Cork/Kerry/Limerick border

The Sliabh Luachra (from Sliabh Luachra):

Sequence is: 1st tops, 1st sides (left), 2nd tops, 2nd sides

Pattern for figures 1 to 3:

All: dance the body [16]
Each couple in turn: dance the Figure (16) and all: dance the body (16)
All: house to finish [8]

The Figure for figures 1 to 3:

1st figure (polka):

Dancing couple and opposite couple, ladies cross:
ladies right hands in the centre, link left arms with the opposite gent, going around him twice, ladies right hands back to place (8) and both couples swing (8)[16]
{variation: left-in-left, ladies dance under the opposite gent's arm and around him, while he dances in place, facing forward into the set, instead of linking arms}

2nd figure (polka):

Dancing couple, show the lady (or is it show the gent?):
dance inside [8]
slide in/out (4) and dance in place (4)[8]

3rd figure (slide or jig):

Dancing couple and opposite couple, short slide:
slide in/out, dance to opposite (8), slide in/out, dance back home (8)[16]

Pattern for figure 4:
All: lead and twirl [16]
All: dance the Figure [16]
All: lead and twirl [16]
All: dance the Figure [16]
All: lead and twirl to finish [16]

lead and twirl: lead around with crossed hands (right hands on top) back to place (8), then "twirl the lady", left-in-left, four times (8)[16]

{variation: four shoves (gent's hands on lady's waist, lady's hands on gent's shoulders, dance all the way around, back to home, lady dancing backwards) and house, instead of lead and twirl}

Figure for figure 4 (polka):
All: ladies right hands in the centre, link left arms with the opposite gent, going around him twice, ladies right hands in the centre back to place (8) and swing your partner (8)[16]

{variation: left-in-left, ladies dance under the opposite gent's arm and around him, while he dances in place, facing forward into the set, instead of linking arms}

Pattern for figure 5:
Tops: dance the figure, sides: dance the figure, tops: repeat, sides: repeat

The Figure for figure 5 (long slide):
Both couples: house, slide, house, slide, house, i.e:
house: dance around each other, back to place [8]
slide: slide in/out, dance to opposite (8), slide in/out, dance to home (8)[16]
Traditionally, in this figure, the couples who were not dancing would leave the floor (but would be back exactly in time for their turn!).

{variation: dancing couples square twice instead of slide, i.e. house, square twice, house, square twice, house}

Hornpipe:
All:
- body (16), house (8)
- circle, advance/retire twice, ladies move on (under the next gent's arm when retiring the 2nd time) (8)
- repeat with each new partner, until danced again with your own partner

{variation: after each house, everyone stops dancing and the ladies stroll on to the next gent, instead of the circle/advance/retire}

Where is Sliabh Luachra?
Sliabh Luachra is a patch of Ireland around the area where counties Cork, Kerry and Limerick meet. It's distinctive style of music is known throughout the world. You won't find Sliabh Luachra on a map, as it's not a town, village, or townland. Fern and Ted, from Canada, reminded me of a quote from the novel "Moby Dick", which fits Sliabh Luachra perfectly: "It is not down on any map, true places never are".