Only in Ireland could they popularise a dance that looks like jumping up and down on hot coals with your hands tied behind your back but they have… and 30 years on we’re marking it with a Riverdance and Aer Lingus tour in double jig time.
Eurovision hadn’t seen anything like it, and they’d seen everything, when Irish-American hoofers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler took to The Point (now 3Olympia Theatre) stage in Dublin, sung by Anuna.
To fill in the seven-minute interval.
Now jigging with your hands behind your back might daunt some, particularly with 300 million people watching worldwide.
But not our Diaspora Dancers whose jigging spawned a worldwide phenomenon.
Which will be even bigger and better this year with a 30th anniversary tour which Ireland’s national air carrier is naturally getting on board to promote.
Atlantic crossing
Aer Lingus will support Riverdance as they perform across North America, the UK, and Ireland throughout 2025.
Riverdance will perform in 45 locations across the USA and Canada from January to June 2025.
And will, of course, include key Aer Lingus gateways.
Such as Michael’s sweet home Chicago and Jean’s city that never sleeps, New York.
And our favourites Boston, Toronto and Washington DC.
And homeward bound
Riverdance returns to its spiritual home of Ireland for a 14-week run at the Gaiety Theatre this summer.
And will also perform 30 dates across the UK later in 2025.
Including London’s Hammersmith Apollo, Manchester Opera House, and Liverpool’s Empire Theatre.
Before wrapping up their anniversary year in Belfast.
Introducing Indianapolis and Nashville
Of course the music never stops nor does Aer Lingus and they have two new destinations for 2025, Indianapolis and Nashville.
All of which brings the number of transatlantic routes operated by the airline from Dublin, Shannon and Manchester to 24.
And all with US preclearance in Dublin and Shannon airports.
Which means you can hotfoot it for the 30th anniversary Riverdance and Aer Lingus tour in double jig time.
