Riverdanceathon in aid of Childhood Cancer Ireland

June 14, 2024

Thursday 20th June

12 hours of continuous dance on the Gaiety plaza from 10am to 10pm

Riverdanceathon in aid of Childhood Cancer Ireland

Members of the Riverdance troupe will perform at 10am and at 1pm will perform 3 numbers from the show in costume outside the Gaiety Theatre and throughout the day over 500 dancers from 23 dance schools will perform

Each summer Riverdance partners with a charity for its summer run. This year the show’s charity partner is Childhood Cancer Ireland, a parent and survivor-led organisation. The main event of the partnership takes place this Thursday 20th June when a 12-hour Riverdanceathon will take place in front of the Gaiety Theatre. Funds raised will go to Childhood Cancer Ireland.

Over 500 dancers from dance schools across Ireland take part in the Riverdanceathon. Members of the Riverdance cast also join in to start the event just before 10am and again at lunchtime to perform 3 numbers from the show on the Gaiety Plaza as well as bringing it all to an end that evening. Riverdancers are also there throughout the day to encourage and work with younger dancers.

Through this partnership Riverdance hopes to help raise funds and awareness for Childhood Cancer Ireland. Every year an average of 369 children, adolescents and young adults (age 0 – 24), are diagnosed with cancer in Ireland. Childhood Cancer Ireland provides valuable emotional services, as well as practical supports to families from the moment of diagnosis. Childhood Cancer Ireland understands the impact that a diagnosis of childhood cancer has on the entire family and aim to support and empower children, young people and their families at all stages of their treatment and beyond.

Also on 20th June some dance enthusiasts connected with Childhood Cancer Ireland will have a chance to take part in the show, training with the troupe and joining the finale of that evening’s performance. Among those taking part are an Oncologist, a teenage survivor of childhood cancer and parents of children who have been supported by the work of the charity.

Pictured are Riverdance Principle Dancers Amy-Mae Dolan and Fergus Fitzpartick and members of the Riverdance troupe with Bowie Gallagher aged 3 from Cabra and Tessa Garry age 6 from Castleknock who have both been supported by Childhood Cancer Ireland during their treatment. Photography: Sasko Lazarov/Photocallireland