BALLYCOMMON  OFFALY  SET
       © 2008   Larry E. Taylor

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    This set is from County Offaly, Ireland.  Though traditionally danced as a single figure,
              the set has been divided into three figures below.  However, just as with the
              BALLYVOURNEY JIG and other sets, this set may continue to be danced with no
              figure-breaks; if danced non-stop, only 568 bars of music would be required since
              the Figure-Introductions for Figures Two and Three would be omitted.
    The total bar count for each Figure includes an eight-bar introduction of music.
    Gents dance forward on the left foot and ladies begin forward on the right foot.
    Bar counts for dance patterns are shown in bold.
    First Side couple is on the right of the first top couple.
    Chain as described in the documentation for the Figures below.  An abbreviated
          description :  GENTS PULL-THE-HAND WHILE FACING IN.
    Documentation is based upon notes by Eileen O'Doherty published in Set Dancing News.
    Swing in ceili hold for seven bars; face the center and dance stamp, stamp for one bar.
    Edition of March 4, 2008 -- Contact larryetaylor@hotmail.com 
 
  SET FORMATION   FIGURE 1 -- REELS (136 BARS)  
Dance reel steps lift-2-3-4 and as shown below.
WHEEL--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All couples: lead around anticlockwise:  with gent's right right arm across the lady's shoulder,
          partners hold right hands at the lady's right shoulder; hold left hands in
          front; dance 1-2-3 stamp, 1-2-3 stamp, then (in-place) 1-2-3 stamp,
          1-2 stamp to/at each position around the set; on the final two bars,
          form and arch with the right hands and the lady dances under the arch
          to-place16;
take crossed hands (rights on top) and crossover anticlockwise (that is, dance
          halfway around) dancing 1-2-3 stamp seven times then 1-2 stamp8;
swing in ceili hold7; face into the set and dance stamp, stamp1;
TWO  SIDES  OF  THE   BANK-------------------------------------------
Top couples:

REPEAT  "MARKER" ladies crossover right-shoulder-to-right-shoulder and turn in (clockwise)

          to-place; dance 1-2-3 stamp eight times4;
          gents crossover left-shoulder-to-left-shoulder and turn in (anticlockwise)
          to-place; dance 1-2-3 stamp eight times4;
partners face; crossover anticlockwise without touching or turning; dance
          1-2-3 stamp seven times, then 1-2 stamp8;
swing in ceili hold7; face the center and dance stamp, stamp1;
repeat from  REPEAT  "MARKER"  to return home24.
Side couples: repeat from  REPEAT  "MARKER"  48.
  SET FORMATION   FIGURE 2 -- REELS (328 BARS)
Dance reel steps lift-2-3-4 and as shown below.
UNDER THE BRIDGES AND OPEN THE LOCKS---------------
Top couples: REPEAT  "MARKER" crossover under an arch: all holding inside hands, first top form an arch and
          second top dance under the arch as both couple dance to opposite; turn
          into one another to-place4;
          repeat the preceding crossover -- except second top form the arch4;
crossover anticlockwise without touching or turning; dance 1-2-3 stamp seven
          times, then 1-2 stamp8;
swing in ceili hold7; face the center and dance stamp, stamp1;
first top house inside the set; during the final two bars, form an arch with the
          high hands (gent's left, lady's right) and the lady dances under the arch
          ending at the second top gent's left side; meanwhile,
          second top dance in-place with the gent's arm across the lady's
          shoulders and holding right hands at the lady's shoulder; second top gent
          takes the top lady's left hand across the shoulder8;
trio advance (two bars) and dance in place(six bars) while first top gent retires,
          advances, retires and advances8;
BUNCH OF RAGS----------------------------------------------------------------
little Christmas twice:  dance clockwise, stamp, stamp8; dance anticlockwise6;
          reverse to-place, dancing stamp, stamp2;
ladies chain:  ladies give right hands at shoulder-height and dance on to the
          opposite gent; grasp left hands and form an arch; the lady dances under
          the arch and around the gent as he continues to face into the set;
          ladies do not chain as they dance to-place at home8;
crossover anticlockwise without touching or turning; dance 1-2-3 stamp seven
          times, then 1-2 stamp8;
swing in ceili hold7; face the center and dance stamp, stamp1;
repeat from    REPEAT  "MARKER"   with first side couple, second top couple then second side
          couple leading240.
  SET FORMATION   FIGURE 3 -- REELS (120 BARS)
Dance reel steps lift-2-3-4 and as shown below.
RESCUE THE GIRL-------------------------------------------------------------
Top couples: REPEAT  "MARKER" ladies chain:  ladies give right hands at shoulder-height, dance one full turn
          around one another then dance on to the opposite gent; grasp left hands
          and form an arch; the lady dances under the arch and around the gent
          as he continues to face into the set; ladies stop in-place beside
          the opposite gent8;
new couples crossover anticlockwise without touching or turning; dance 1-2-3
          stamp seven times, then 1-2 stamp8;
new couples swing in ceili hold7; face the center and dance stamp, stamp1;
repeat from  REPEAT  "MARKER"  24.
Side couples: repeat from  REPEAT  "MARKER"  48.
All couples: crossover anticlockwise without touching or turning; dance 1-2-3 stamp seven
          times, then 1-2 stamp8;
swing in ceili hold7; face the center and dance stamp, stamp1.

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