Dancing at the Crossroads Original Photo
I’ve rediscovered the historically interesting “Dancing at the Crossroads” original photo.
http://archives.library.nuigalway.ie/joeburke/images/DancingCrossroads1891.jpg
Be sure to click on the photo to view a full-sized version.
The photo is in the library archives of the National University of Ireland in Galway, Ireland (NUI Galway). It is part of a collection of photographs collected by Joe Burke dating as far back as the 1890s – this photo being from approximately 1891, according to the NUI Library blog about Joe Burke. It is an amazingly well-preserved and scanned image that tells a story in itself.
Historical Significance of Photo
The photo is famous among set dancers. There are two sets of eight dancers standing in a circle as if waiting for the music to begin, although the musicians appear to be playing their instruments. The accordionist is prominent and seated while there are two younger boys (with knickers on) standing and playing what appear to me as a flute and a tin whistle (or recorder). The onlookers are seated on the wall or gathered around and they are of all ages. There is even a dog in the photo. There are fields in the background, a few houses, and a late arrival coming down the road. The building on the near left is likely an out-building – I imagine equipment is stored there or animals are housed there. I would love to learn more about the time period of this photo and what is going on in Ireland and in locations such as this one.
The History of Irish Dance (a ThinkQuest.org award-winning website created by three young dancers from California) talks about crossroads dancing and tells a story about a time in Ireland when dancing was prohibited by the clergy for its “immorality.” During the 16th and 17th centuries “crossroads dancing” became very popular. The clergy condemned “crossroads dancing” so the Gaelic League introduced the first Ceili in 1697. This let dancers dance indoors under supervision. The Ceili was not held in Ireland but in London. Traditional Irish culture continued in secrecy until the 1700s. Around 1750 less strict attitudes allowed Irish dance to flourish.
Links to NUI Galway
NUI Galway is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nuigalway
NUI Galway archives blog about Joe Burke, who donated this photo to their collection: http://archives.library.nuigalway.ie/joeburke/biog.html
The University is located on University Road in Galway, Ireland (Telephone: +353 91 524411).
Related Articles
See related post on irishsetdancing.org from February 2012 with comments on the photo’s history: http://www.irishsetdancing.org/dancing-at-the-crossroads/
More about the crossroads themselves: :http://amayodruid.blogspot.com/2013/07/crossroads-in-irish-folklore.html
“Children Dancing at a Crossroad” at the National Gallery of Ireland, artist Trevor Fowler (fl.1830-1844)
2 replies on “Dancing at the Crossroads – 1891”
I saw this picture being sold as a print at an Irish festival a few years ago and have been looking for it ever since. My grandmother danced at the crossroads when she was a young girl, and my father told me that that was one of her favorite things to do when she still lived in Ireland. While my grandmother passed away quite a while ago, my dad still talks about her love for dancing and how much it meant to her. I was wondering if you knew of any website that may be selling this as a print? I would like to get it for him as a gift. Thank you for your help.
I have searched the internet to get a copy of this picture Dancing At The Crossroads. Do you have any information where I can buy one …
Thank you for any info you can give me
Carole O’Neill