Set Dances are almost exclusively danced in hard shoes by Irish Dancers in a formal setting. Set Dances are also sometimes player in sessions quite often in a set with hornpipes. The term ‘Set Dance’ can refer the type of tune or the dance that accompanies it. They are also having somewhat of a revival in sessions. The tunes themselves have varying irregular bar forms. The 1st part is often 8 bars but the 2nd part can be 8, 12 or 16. Some irish fiddlers have recorded set dances as slow airs(version of the tune) and then into the tune itself such as Andy McGann & Paddy Glackin with the ‘Blackbird‘. The fiddle is often an accompaning instrument for irishstep dancers(as in the Video below)
Rodney’s Glory Download PDF
Played by Paddy Glackin on ‘The Flags of Dublin’.
The Garden of Daisies Download PDF
The Humours of Bandon Download PDF
The Job of Journeywork Download PDF
The Three Sea Captains Download PDF
More about types of tunes including Set Dances and several others in ‘A Complete Guide to learning the Irish Fiddle’ (Link)by Paul McNevin’