Irish dancing Irish dancing has spread all over the world by people who have emigrated from Ireland. Irish dancing also became more famous due to the world famous shows like Riverdance which premiered in 1994. Irish dancing can be danced solo, ceili and set dancing. Solo dancing is danced with straight arms, and a controlled body. Two types of shoes are used, hard shoes and soft shoes. Hard shoes are used for dances such as hard jigs and hornpipes and also traditional set dances. Soft shoes are used for reels, light jigs and slip jigs. Irish dancers wear wigs, dresses and special socks for dancing in Feises.There are many competitions all over the world. The most important is the World Irish Dancing Championships. This event is held in different places each year. Only the highest quality of dancers will be picked to dance. These dancers prepare all year round for as much as seven days a week! Then in the end it is all down to the two or three minutes that they will spend in stage in front of top class international judges. Sean-Nos dancing is the older style of dance. It has a different style as it is more low to the ground with improvised steps. The arms are allowed to hang freely. Brush dancing isd another form of sean-nos. Other types of Irish dancing are also Ceili dancing and set dancing. These dances are danced with teams of dancers from two to eight people. Solo set dancing is also popular. Solo set dances include The Blackbird, The Job of Journey Work and St. Patricks Day. Costumes are an extremely important part of Irish dancing life Dresses are very elaborate and have many diamonds and designs on them. Each dancer has a dress that has been made especially for them. These dresses could cost alot of money depending on the amount of diamonds and crystals that have been put on the dress. Dancers must also wear wigs with crowns to match their dress and fake tan. They also wear makeup to complete the look. Girls must also wear white poodle socks. Popular Irish dancing dress makers are Gavin Doherty and Siopa Rince dresses.