ABSTRACT
The itinerant dancing masters of North Kerry emerged on the scene towards the end of the eighteenth century within the context of colonialism. Throughout the eighteenth century, Ireland remained a colony of England, despite having its own parliament in Dublin. The Irish Parliament was, in effect, a colonial parliament whose members were Protestant and who had passed a series of anti-Catholic laws, known as the penal laws. The American War of Independence and the French Revolution had a strong influence on those in Ireland who were seeking parliamentary reform. During the early decades of the nineteenth century, it would, therefore, appear that there were several categories of dancing masters to be found in Ireland. Muirin is therefore the earliest known dancing master in the genealogical step dancing history of North Kerry, and is regarded as the father of their dance. Nedin Batt Walsh held dance schools according to the dancing master's quarter and the benefit night system.
