A "Set dance" is danced by four couples, each on the side of a square, to traditional Irish music. Each "set" is comprised of 4 to 6 "figures" which last two or three minutes each with a short break between each figure. Each figure has a series of proscribed elements or movements, sometimes done altogether, sometimes just one or two of the couples dancing, followed by the others in turn. Four to eight different sets are typically done at a dance these days.
Historically, many communities in western Ireland had their own Set that all knew and could dance without instruction in their homes and at community events. Nowadays, as sets have spread beyond their town of origin and new sets have been written, instruction is sometimes provided as needed.
Set Dances differ from the performance-oriented Irish Step Dancing ( like "Riverdance") and Irish Ceili Dancing, another traditional Irish community dance form done in a variety of formations.