The Opening Ceremony of the Dublin Chinese New Year Festival will take place in Dublin’s Mansion House of Friday 8th February. Now in its 6th year, the opening ceremony is an evening of Intercultural Sino-Irish celebration and Riverdance will perform two numbers as part of this spectacular showcase.

The Riverdance cast at the Gaiety Theatre Dublin, join Jedward’s Dream Factory to fulfill one little girl’s dream to meet and dance with Riverdance. Broadcast on RTE 2 on 3rd January 2013.
First there is a visit for 9 year old Irish Dancer, Sofi-Mei Lally to Riverdance wardrobe department to be dressed in her very own specially made Riverdance costume.
Then lead Dancers Maria Buffini and Jason O’Neill bring Sofi-Mei to the Gaiety Theatre Dublin to dance as part of the line up on stage with the Riverdance Troupe.

It’s that time of year again when the memory of former Riverdancer, Dr Eithne Walls, will be marked by her friends, family and former colleagues running the 2013 Flora Womens Mini Marathon to raise money for Dublin’s Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital’s Research Foundation.  Eithne, a former Riverdancer and a Doctor at the RVEEH, was a passenger along with her friends and colleagues Dr Aisling Butler and Dr Jane Deasy on the ill-fated Air France Flight 447 which disappeared over the Atlantic on June 1 2009.  Each June Bank Holiday since then her friends, family, and former colleagues in both Riverdance and the RVEEH have come together to run the Mini Marathon as a way of remembering Eithne.

Mr Whelan signalled the strong possibility that Riverdance will be performed in Limerick as part of one of the major events for the year, the draft programme for which is expected to be unveiled in June. “It would be absolutely my hope that that will happen and I have already approached my partners in Riverdance on this and I think we will make this happen,” he said.

by CCTV at Beijing Exhibition Centre
“The Irish dance phenomenon is on tour across China. Powerful and compelling, Riverdance hits the stage with heart throbbing force. The show features traditional Irish step dancing, known for its rapid leg movements, which has left audiences enthralled”
And the excitement is palpable as the lead dancer introduces the beating drums into the dance. The story of Irish culture and Irish immigration to America is presented in a rich and fascinating way, fusing dance, music and song.

“We are currently enjoying our tour of China and wanted to take just a couple of moments to send you our Christmas Greetings from here, wherever in the world you are. We hope you and yours have a most Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Beannachtaí na Nollag agus athbhliain faoi shéan’s faoi shonas.

Riverdance returns to the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin from 27 June to 1 September 2013 for an unprecedented 10th consecutive summer season.
To avail of our special Early Bird offer of a 15% saving on all 2013 tickets purchased on or before 31st December 2012, click on Ticketmaster.ie and use promotional code RDEB13

It’s made of navy silk velvet, delicate crochet and jet beads, and it was like no other Irish dance dress ever seen before. Jean Butler wore it during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest interval act she performed with Michael Flatley, and in seven minutes changed the image of Irish dancing forever. Her first dance—soft shoe, delicate—looked traditional, but her sexy, off-the-shoulder dress showed how Irish culture could be reimagined for a modern, global audience. After Michael Flatley’s solo, Butler came back on stage in hard shoes, and their kicks, clicks and taps created a percussive power that resonated further than anyone could have imaged. Bernice Harrison