Watch a YouTube video contrasting the difference between Irish Dance and Rhythm Tap.
When watching this percussive dance performance notice how the style of movement is loose and bent over in the hoofer style of rhythm tap versus the upright position of the Irish influence in the link below.
Now I would suggest clicking on the link below for the movie short,Tap Dance Battle. This is an example of a tap challenge, illustrating both the Irish Step and Rhythm Tap styles of today. By the way, Colin Dunn, who is a famous Irish dancer, is the lead for the Irish section.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwdjPDw6o5I
please compare and contrast in six to seven well thought out sentences the two different styles of tap dance, i.e., the rhythm tap style versus the Irish dance style.