Riverdanceathon 2017 – 12 hours of continuous dance

June 28, 2017

12 hours of continuous dance from 10am – 10pm  outside the Gaiety Theatre  – Thursday 29 June 2017

 Riverdanceathon  in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland

Riverdance has returned home to the Gaiety Theatre until 3 September and this year’s charity partner is Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI).

The main event of the partnership takes place this Thursday 29 June when over 500 dancers will take part in a 12 hour Riverdanceathon in front of the Gaiety Theatre. This marathon dance session aims to raise awareness and much-needed funds for CFI’s work on behalf of Ireland’s community of 1,200 people with Cystic Fibrosis.

Across the 12 hours 20 groups totalling over 500 Irish dancers, as well as members of the Riverdance cast, will perform outside the Gaiety Theatre. As well as fundraising on the day, the young dancers are busily raising sponsorship from friends, family and their fellow dancers in between preparing for their performance in the Riverdanceathon.  The 20 participating schools are based in Donegal, Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Tipperary, and Wexford and of course include dancers from many neighbouring counties also.

The schools will be joined throughout the day by members of the Riverdance cast to pass on tips and encouragement and there will be special Riverdance performances at 10am, 1pm and finally to bring the event to a close at 10pm.

CFI Ambassadors from the world of sport and entertainment will be along on the day to give their support and the event will also include some Irish dancers who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis but who use their passion for dance to keep themselves in peak physical condition to fight the effects of the disease.

Riverdance and CFI would love to see the Dublin public come along and enjoy the talent on show on the day and show their appreciation and encouragement to these young dancers so generously giving of their time for a great cause.

 

Schedule

09.58 – John McColgan and CFI will open the Riverdanceathon

10.03 – Riverdance will perform three pieces

10.19  – Lee-Byrne Irish Dance Academy

10.50 – Herlihy-Doyle School of Irish Dancing

11.21 – Cabe School of Irish Dance

11.52 –  Deirdre Furlong Scoil Rince

12.23 – Watson Twin Academy

12.54 – Chef Adrian Ryan Straw Challenge

13.00 – Riverdance

13.35 – Callanan School of Irish Dance

14.06 – Murphy Gray Academy of Irish Dance

14.46 – Hennessy McVeigh School of Irish Dance

15.02 – McNelis Cunningham Boyle School of Dancing

15.33 – Blathnaid Treacy, (Dancing with the Stars) Straw Challenge

15.42 – McGee School of Irish Dance

16.12 -Jessica Cassidy

16.24 – Elaine Kavanagh School of Irish Dance

16.55 – Dr Eddie Murphy (Operation Transformation) Straw Challenge

17.03 – Dunphy School of Irish Dancing

17.34 – Zara Curtis Academy of Irish Dance

18.05 –  Curley Brennan Irish Dance

18.36 – Scoil Rince Cosceol

19.07 – Scoil Rince Seoige

19.38 – Fegan Academy of Irish Dancing

20.08 – Nina Burke School of Irish Dancing

20.39 – Scoil Rince Lar na Tire

21.10 – Feely Bates Academy

21.55 – Riverdance

22.00 – Riverdanceathon ends

 

Anyone wishing to donate to the CFI Riverdanceathon can contribute on the day in person or can donate online at www.cfireland.ie/donate or text “Help CF” to 50300 to donate €2 to Cystic Fibrosis Ireland

(Text costs €2. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland will receive a minimum of €1.63. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278)

Katie Murphy, an Irish dancer with CF said, “As a person with CF, it’s vital to stay physically fit to minimise the effects of CF and Irish dance has been massively important all my life in fighting the disease.  It’s a dream come true to have this opportunity to grace the Riverdance troupe on the night of the Riverdanceathon as part of this great partnership between CFI and Riverdance.”

Riverdance Director, John McColgan, said: “Riverdance is very proud to this summer support the tireless work of CFI in supporting and giving a voice to the CF community in Ireland.  It’s wonderful but not at all surprising to see over 500 young Irish dancers and our own cast so willingly and generously give their time and talent to fundraise for CFI in the 2017 Riverdanceathon.”

Fergal Smyth, Fundraising Manager for CFI commented: “Cystic Fibrosis Ireland is delighted to have been chosen as the Charity Partner for Riverdance for Summer 2017 and looks forward to working with the Riverdance team to raise much-needed funds over the summer to help people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland. Exercise is hugely important in order for people with CF to manage their condition, helping them clear their airways and build up strength to continue to fight the disease. Irish dancing is a fantastic way to exercise so the partnership between CFI and Riverdance is a very good fit.”