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Irish Dance Set Pieces Trivia Quiz

One aspect of Irish Dancing is the Set Dance. This quiz is about set dances in general and the history of how each set dance got its name.

A multiple-choice quiz by teash. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
teash

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
226,628

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
318

Last 3 plays: Guest 188 (5/10), MargW (7/10), daver852 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What word in the title of a set dance means the song was written to honor someone? Hint

tune

humor

planxty

air

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which famous person are these set dances related to: "Downfall of Paris", "Bonaparte's Retreat", "Madame Bonaparte"?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 3 of 10

3. What set dance was named after a drinking party at a particular place? Hint

Planxty Davis

Humors of Bandon

The Lodge Road

The Storyteller

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which set dance title is actually a code for Bonnie Prince Charles? Hint

The Blackbird

The Wandering Musician

Three Sea Captains

The Piper through the Meadow Straying

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Question 5 of 10

5. What set dance is named after an area in County Wexford, Ireland? Hint

Garden of Daisies

The Lodge Road

Job of Journeywork

Kilkenney Races

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of the following set dances is not considered a traditional set? Hint

The Blackbird

St. Patrick's Day

The Storyteller

Job of Journeywork

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Question 7 of 10

7. In the United States, what level Irish dance competitor performs a set dance as part of their competition? Hint

Open Championship

Preliminary Championship

Prizewinner

Novice

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which set dance changes tempo mid-tune? Hint

Is the Big Man Within

The Hunt

Rub the Bag

Hurry the Jug

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Question 9 of 10

9. What are the two parts of the set dance called? Hint

kickoff and ending

lead around and set

lead around and first step

second step and set

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Question 10 of 10

10. What is another name for the set dance "Miss Brown's Fancy"? Hint

The Piper Through the Meadow Straying

Three Sea Captains

Kilkenny Races

Planxty Brown

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 26 2024 : Guest 188: 5/10
Apr 23 2024 : MargW: 7/10
Mar 31 2024 : daver852: 8/10
Mar 27 2024 : Emma-Jane: 7/10
Mar 12 2024 : wwwocls: 9/10
Mar 11 2024 : Guest 185: 3/10
Mar 07 2024 : Guest 5: 6/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What word in the title of a set dance means the song was written to honor someone?

Answer: planxty

Some set dances are the "planxties" such as "Planxty Drury". These tunes are nearly 300 years old and were written by Turlough O'Carolan. He composed the music to honor a friend, the friend's name listed last.

2. Which famous person are these set dances related to: "Downfall of Paris", "Bonaparte's Retreat", "Madame Bonaparte"?

Answer: Napoleon

One reason for this may have been that the Irish looked to the French for help in overthrowing English rule around Napoleon's time.

3. What set dance was named after a drinking party at a particular place?

Answer: Humors of Bandon

The word Humour means drinking party, and the place would be Bandon.

4. Which set dance title is actually a code for Bonnie Prince Charles?

Answer: The Blackbird

The Blackbird is actually "code" for Bonnie Prince Charles who tried to overthrow the English with a group of Scotsmen.

5. What set dance is named after an area in County Wexford, Ireland?

Answer: Garden of Daisies

"Garden of Daisies" was taken from the Garden of Deise, an area in County Wexford, Ireland.

6. Which of the following set dances is not considered a traditional set?

Answer: The Storyteller

Traditional sets are very old tunes and were part of early Irish dance history. They are performed at a fast tempo without high jumps or lifts.

7. In the United States, what level Irish dance competitor performs a set dance as part of their competition?

Answer: Open Championship

The set dance is performed most commonly by Open Champions and it is performed one at a time. The set dance is one of the most difficult dances to perform.

8. Which set dance changes tempo mid-tune?

Answer: Is the Big Man Within

The set dances can be either in jig or hornpipe time. In one case, "Is the Big Man Within?" the time changes mid-tune.

9. What are the two parts of the set dance called?

Answer: lead around and set

Sets contain two parts, the first is the "lead around" (from 8 to 16 measures), the second is the "set" (12 to 16 measures).

10. What is another name for the set dance "Miss Brown's Fancy"?

Answer: Planxty Brown

This is a jig that is also known as "Maggie Brown's Favorite".

Source: Author teash

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