Though the basics are the same, there are great differences between the contemporary dance that conquered the world since 1994 and the traditional dance. The arms have become the greatest 'victim' of the modernisation of Irish dance and have started to play an increasingly bigger part in dancing. Afraid that the public will not like the stationary arms, they are lively swung around in many performances.

In traditional dancing, the hands are placed in the sides at most, but any more use of arms and hands is out of the question. Not keeping your arms stationary enough at a competition will get you points deducted.

Another difference is speed. In showdancing, the pace is so fast sometimes that turning out the feet like in traditional dancing becomes impossible. Turning out the feet is obligatory at a competition and an improper turn-out will not work in your favor.

Show and tradition: The differences between men and women.

If you saw Riverdance or Lord of the Dance on TV, you probably took note of the fact that the women move fleetfooted and gracefully across the stage in one dance, but slam their way across the floor with their heavy shoes a few moments later, while youthe men only use their heavy shoes.
In traditional dancing, this difference does not exist. Men and women have to perform the same dances. It could be that there is a slight difference in moves as the men dance on slightly different shoes than the women, but the dance carries the same name.

That there is a lot of difference between both of the worlds does not mean that the shows missed out on influencing the traditions in Irish dance. Moves like drums, gained a lot of popularity because of the building character, a reason you will often see them in shows.

• Part 3: Irish dance through the years
• Part 5: Show and tradition: Clothing and appearance

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