| This fascinating volume was discovered by one Aidan Vaughan - renowned
Irish set dance (quadrilles) collector, researcher and teacher - in an old bookshop in
1997 - almost a 100 years since its publication. Most of the pages describing the dances
are extant, although many of the photographs are missing. The volume was subsequently
photocopied by Diana Jewitt at Cecil Sharp House for the archives there. Later in 1998
Michael Tubridy found a complete copy in the National Music Archives in Dublin. The
author and publisher - T. Leggett-Byrne - was obviously a well travelled and experienced
teacher of both social dancing, step dancing, calisthenics, physical drill, deportment,
fencing and children's fancy dances. These were all typical skills taught by the majority
of travelling dancing masters throughout the UK and Europe in the 1800s - as has been well
documented by Tom and Joan Flett (see "Traditional Dancing in Lakeland,"
"Traditional Dances of Scotland (incl. Cape Breton)"), and Chris and Ellis
Rogers (see "Nonsuch: Early Dance Vol. V11a - Late 18'th and 19'th C. Ballroom
Dances").
And it is obvious that what are now called traditional Irish sets evolved from the
quadrille dances taught by such dancing masters as the Leggett-Byrnes, the main sources
being Paris and London; the former as the main source of new social dancing fashions
throughout Northern Europe and the latter as the one of the main sources of new dances in
Ireland via the then English and Irish upper classes and the seasons at Dublin Castle.
Interestingly very similar dances were also popular in Scotland. Indeed in the 1800s
the dances were truly pan-European. However whereas the English have largely lost almost
all of their traditional dances, the Scots held onto and developed their country dances,
and the Irish (just about) held onto and developed their sets (quadrilles).
From advertisements in the book both Leggett-Byrne and his wife evidently ran summer
schools and classes not only in Dublin, but also in Fermoy, Lismore, Sligo, Athlone,
Parsonstown, Tullamore, and Youghal, and presumably in many other places in Ireland.
It is also interesting to read the many advertisements at the front and back of the
book. It is evident that there were many commercial enterprises in Dublin and elsewhere to
supply the huge demand for dancing shoes, costumes, dance floors, fancy dress, etc.,
especially for those hoping to be 'presented' at Dublin Castle during the 'season.'
Listed are only some of these enterprises mentioned:
 | Bouquets for balls, weddings, presentations - J. Henderson & Sons, Lincoln Place,
Dublin. |
| Hosiers, glove and shirts makers, military and colonial outfitters - Kennedy &
McSharry, Westmoreland St. and D'Olier St., Dublin. |
| Wines and Champagne for dances - Alex Findlater & Co., Dublin. |
| Boots, evening shoes, dancing shoes for ladies and children - G. Jordan & Sons,
Leinster St., Dublin. |
| Dancing floors, ball-room floor polish - Lambert Brien & Co., Grafton St., Dublin. |
| Court siuts, dress suits, dinner jackets - Kenny Owens Tailors, Dame St., Dublin. |
| Children's & young ladies' evening gowns & dancing dresses, evening petticoats,
combination knickers and skirts, - lace trimmed, spun silk stockings and gloves to match -
Mrs. Lewers, Grafton St., Dublin. |
| Fans, real Irish and foreign lace, ostrich feathers, gauze, marabout, Parisian Diamonds,
oriental pearls, necklets, bracelets, hair ornaments, brooches, earrings, opera glasses,
etc. - Paris House, Grafton St., Dublin. |
| Boys fancy suits, boys dress suits - "Our Boys House," Grafton St., Dublin. |
| Tresses of long fine hair, ladies ornamental hair, fringes - Jules & Co., Stephen's
Green and Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. |
| Grand Hotel, Malahide, Dublin. |
| Court furriers, sable necklets and muffs, real sealskin coats and capes, theatre and
evening wraps - J.M.Barnardo & Sons, Grafton St., Dublin. |
| Scientific gymnastic apparatus, calisthenic goods and fencing goods, musical dumb-bells,
pulley weights, etc. - Geo. Spencer, Goswell Road, London. |
| Theatrical bookseller, bootmaker, costumer, hosier, stage jewellery, costumes for fancy
dress balls, waxwork exhibitions, negro entertainment, dresses and masks to represent
monkeys, wolves, bears, lins, elephants, donkeys, etc. - John Burkinshaw, Colquitt St.,
Liverpool. |
| Dancing, calisthenics, deportment, classes for children and adults, private lessons and
and court presentation lessons by appointment - Mr. and Mrs. Leggett-Byrne, Adelaide Rd.,
Dublin. |
| 'Summer Teaching' in May in the following towns: Fermoy, Lismore, Sligo, Athlone,
Parsonstown, Tullamore, Youghal, etc., children's fancy dances - Mr. & Mrs.
Leggett-Byrne. |
| Dancing, calisthenics, deportment, private and court presentation lessons by
appointment, country teaching - April to August inclusive, special arrangements for
children's fancy dances at fetes, bazaars, concerts, etc. - Mrs. and the Misses Haines,
Donegall Pass, Belfast. |
| Photographers and carbon portraits - by special appointment to Her Royal Highness The
Princess of Wales - Chancellor & Son, Lower Sackville St., Dublin. |
| Visiting, marriage & invitation cards, dance programmes a speciality - Waller &
Co. Engravers, Suffolk St., Dublin. |
| Bouquets for drawing room season, bedding plants, etc. - J.A.Anderson, Sligo. |
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image to see the scanned pages)