Pride of Erin

An English Old Time Dance created in 1911 by Professor G.S. Wood resident in Edinburgh at the time. The Pride of Erin appeared in Australia as a modernised old time or new vogue dance in the early 1930s and has been regarded as old time for a very long time, in fact it is probably the most popular sequence dance ever across the general Australian community. The Australian version is very different to the English original and there are several different versions known between the states and in districts. It remains a competition dance in the ballroom new vogue dance category. It is also a popular dance in the progressive form making a good mixer and a newer form of this has emerged and known as the 'hand of friendship'. There is also a livened up version in 6-8 time as a finale in the final encore following the rounds in waltz time. Popular Irish American songs are generally played for the this dance with an occasional Scottish tune although Old Time Bands will often play any popular waltz with no Irish sentiment. McNamara's Band is one of the popular tunes for the 6-8 finale. Video footage demonstrated by dancers of Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo, directed by Peter Ellis, April 2013.