Seán a' Chasúir

(Caishleach)

Seán a' Chasúir came from Caisleach, near to the river Inny. He was a great piper, fiddler and was also a dance master. He taught step-dancing, around the last quarter of the 19th century, the sets had not yet become popular. He used to tie straw to one of the pupil's feet, hay to the other and call out "In with the straw leg and out with the hay leg'. It is interesting to note that Seán a' Chasúir instructed his pupils in English as did most of the dancing-masters and that the sets and half sets had not as yet penetrated that part of the countryside.

At that time the dances were held on Saturday nights in the neighbours houses, here one Saturday, there the next. There was crossroads dancing at Rahilly’s cross not far from Seán’s residence. Trá na hAoine was a great centre for. dancing. Seán a Chasúir also played for the dancing..

There is an mention in a article by Breandán Breathnach that Seán a’ Chasúir was a better dancer than Eoin Bhilli, another great dancer. "He put in more capers at the end of the dance but for that Eoin Bhilli would have beaten him.'

Eugene O’Sullivan, from the next townland wrote a manuscript of music that contain the music for a number of set dances from that locality. Seán a’ Chasúir and Eugene O’Sullivan are possibly related through their Fathers. Both Seán and Eugene were acquainted with the travelling musician Cotter na Gruaige