Fintan and Irish Dance

Sorry for the late post! I wanted to explore why Irish dance has made such an impact in America. Fintan talked about how traditional Irish dance wasn’t extremely popular in Ireland, but became a success in the US. America is such a diverse, heterogeneous culture; a true hodge-podge of different cultures and traditions. As such, I think many Americans seek out characteristics/customs of their unique heritage in an attempt to identify with their native culture. In a sense, I believe this is some of the appeal of traditional Irish dance in America. Irish-Americans may feel more connected to their native land by watching Irish dance. They may think of Irish dance as “authentic,” because the tradition is originated directly from Ireland. Fintan also describes the dance as an expression of displacement, which speaks to the offspring of Irish immigrants. For native Irish people, this form of dance may not seem as novel, and probably seems rather archaic. For Irish Americans, it is a mode for connecting with their ancestry and heritage. I know this rings true for my family and home community. The people in my community practice Irish customs, such as traditional dance and involvement in the Catholic Church, to feel connected to Ireland and to their heritage.