history

The great history of Riverdance started as late as in 1994. And it started out as interval entertainment at the Eurovision Song Contest held in (of course) Ireland that same year. Who had imagined that the seven minute long dance was to become one of the most famous dances as of today?

In July 1993, Ireland's leading television network, RTE, asked Moya Doherty to produce the Eurovision Song Contest. She wasn't all to keen on it, but after a good night's sleep, she luckily accepted the offer.

Seen that the Eurovision Song Contest ncludes about 3 hours of song and music, she decided to do something different; a dance. She decided it should feature Michael Flately, Jean Butler, and a whole bunch of hard-shoe Irish step-dancers. Anuna - a Gaelic choir - was also to participate. She also wanted some partners and picked her husband John McColgan (director), Bill Whelan (composer), and Mavis Ascott (choreographer).

On April 30, 1994, the audience and 300 million people watching the show where absolutely amazed by what they saw. They wanted more...

To satisfy the peoples demands, they released a video with the dance, and a single. However, this was not enough, and RTE decided they wanted to make a christmas special. Though, Moya and her husband put together a 2 hour show instead.

Bill Whelan started composing the music, and he finished it in about 3 months. As soon as the music was all set, Mavis Ascott started practicing with the dancers.

The show came together, and the test was on; the premier was help at Point Depot Theatre in Dublin, on February 9, 1995. The show ran for 5 weeks, and every single ticket was sold out for every perforemance. Soon after the show, the video from the show came out- becoming the best seller in Ireland.