ABOUT
Dance has been a part of Irish culture for many years. The development of Irish dance has a great deal to do with the shoes that were worn in dances. In addition to the choreography of Irish dance, the double layer of soles located at the bottom of the shoes creates a loud rhythmic flow unlike any other shoes, which is a major component of Irish dance. Leather shoes like these were used and worn by the Irish dancers, like those in Riverdance, as a form of entertainment. Irish dance originated from the Celts and the Druids who were a nomadic tribe of warriors. Although the dance is different today, the purpose of bringing people together during special occasions and celebrations has not changed. These shoes were handmade in a workshop in Dublin, Ireland. They are created to comfortably fit the dancer’s feet for dancing. They are made with 100 percent calf leather. The LaGuardia student who owns these shoes writes that the shoes were worn by her sister and have been in the family for years. The shoes were kept in a vinyl bag in her sister’s closet. Sometimes the shoes were taken out the closet as a reminder of their culture. This pair of shoes is a powerful object because it holds memories close to their hearts whenever they take the shoes out to look at them. This artifact is especially meaningful because it was handcrafted by someone who diligently took the time to create every detail in the shoes, and has been passed down from generation to generation. 

— Cristal Grey