Rory O'More

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

RORY O'MORE (J8x32) 2C (4C set) RSCDS Book 1

1- 8 1s+2s advance and retire; 1s+2s cross over Ladies dancing under arch made by Men, 1s turn under 2s to 2nd place
9-16 2s+1s advance and retire; cross Men dancing under Ladies' arch and 1s turn under 2s to original places
17-24 1s lead down the middle and back
25-32 1s+2s dance Poussette. 2 1

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Rory O'More
Anon RSCDS Book 1
Jig 8 x 32 bars 2 Couple Repeat 4 Couple Set Longwise Set

1-4 1s2s advance and retire;

5-6 1L2L lead (nearer hands) under arch made by 1M2M;

7-8 1s turn by the right under arch made by 2s, finishing 2s1s;

9-12 2s1s advance and retire;

11-12 2M1M lead (nearer hands) under arch made by 2L1L;

15-16 1s turn by the right under arch made by 2s, finishing in original places;

17-24 1s lead down the middle and back;

25-32 1s2s poussette.

(MAXICRIB. Scottish country dancing instructions compiled by Reuben Freemantle)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagram

Rory O'More - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Instruction Videos

Rory O'More - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction Video

Dance Information

Rory O'More, also recorded as Rory Oge O'More or Ruairí Óg Ó Mórdha, was a sixteenth-century leader of the O'More family in county Laois, Ireland. Born around 1544, he became known for directing opposition to Tudor expansion during his lifetime and held the position of Lord of Laois until his death in 1578.

A later figure of the same name emerged in the seventeenth century, remembered for his role in organising the events of 1641. The son of Calvagh O'More, he was instrumental in bringing together leaders to coordinate uprisings in Ulster.

The name Rory O'More has continued to resonate beyond these historical figures, inspiring later works of literature and song.

Samuel Lover's nineteenth-century novel and ballad Rory O'More drew on the reputation of the seventeenth-century leader, presenting him in a romanticised light and ensuring that the name remained part of cultural memory.

The ballad exists in more than one version. Lover wrote Rory O'More; or, Good Omens (a humorous love ballad about Rory and Kathleen), and he also composed a more political ballad Rory O'More (linked to the 1641 rising).

Both versions of Rory O'More - Song are preserved in nineteenth-century collections such as The Ballads of Ireland.

Rory O'More Song - Information Video

Rory O'More Crib - Before Minicrib

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