'Battering' Set Dance, Co. Clare, Ireland 1971

Battering requires the dancer to beat out a rhythm on the floor with their feet.

A variation of the Caledonian set dance incorporating treble clicking of heels to each beat of the music, known locally in county Clare as ‘Battering’. This type of dance was banned by the GAA in 1971. However, dancers from Quilty county Clare where the tradition flourishes subsequently won the county set dancing championships.

Reporter Cathal O’Shannon is perplexed as to why this form of dance has been banned and travels to county Clare to ask the locals why.

One musician says,

When they batter, they make time and it gives you an incentive to play better. You go with the feet.

Opposing the banning of this type of dance, one local believes,

If you take the battering, or the trebling as we call it, out of dancing, you might as well give them ballet shoes.

He sees the ‘battering’ as an integral part of the Clare set dance.

This episode of ‘Newsbeat’ was broadcast on 11 February 1971. The reporter is Cathal O’Shannon.