Where have the years gone
Believe it or not, we're feeling extremely old today. That's because Eurovision 1994, where Riverdance first began, happened 25 years ago today.
On April 30th 1994, the whole of Europe tuned in for the 39th Eurovision Song Contest. Ireland of course were the host of this year's competition again, with Niamh Kavanagh's 'In Your Eyes' winning for Ireland for a second year in a row. Held at the Point Theatre (now the 3Arena), and hosted by Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and the late Gerry Ryan, the song contest really and truly put Ireland on the map. And not because we won for a third time in a row with Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan's 'Rock 'n' Roll Kids' - but because of Riverdance.
Bursting onto the stage as part of the 7-minute interval act, who would have thought that that one performance would become the global phenomenon that it still is today. Choreographed by Michael Flatley, Jean Butler and Mavis Ascott, it became far more than just a Eurovision interval act.
Feeling nostalgic? Of course you are. Here's the full Eurovision 1994 interval performance of Riverdance, to make your heart turn clover-shaped for just a few minutes.
The show went on to great success over the past 25 years, with the team performing live in over 515 venues worldwide, throughout 47 countries.
Riverdance will return home this summer to the Gaiety Theatre from Tuesday June 11th, to Sunday, September 15th. Ticket prices begin at €21, and can be purchased from Ticketmaster.ie.