30 years after it was first shown to the world , Riverdance still stands tall as a hugely successful show with fans all over the world. What started as a simple interlude performance is now a worldwide phenomenon that launched the massive careers of Irish dancing stars like Michael Flatley .
Nowadays, we know Riverdance as the cultural institution it has become. However, not everyone thought it would be so huge.
In fact, some people might say that nobody saw what was coming. Before Riverdance, Irish dancing was very traditional.
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It is an art form that dates back centuries and for many, keeping it exactly the way it was felt important. But for some visionaries, they saw what Irish dancing could be in a modern world.
Riverdance burst onto the world stage on April 30, 1994. It was first performed in Dublin at the Eurovision Song Contest .
The performance blew the crowd away along with the 300 million viewers across the globe. Recently, Riverdance composer Bill Whelan spoke on The Hard Shoulder radio show on Ireland's Newstalk station.
He revealed that "nothing prepared us for the explosion that happened". He explained: "I remember turning around and seeing the entire Point Theatre on its feet, including the president and all the other delegates in attendance - it was an immense moment for all of us.
"We knew at that stage we had something that was exciting, but we didn’t think it would get the response it did."
Since its premiere to the world, Riverdance is believed to have been performed 11,000 times and grossed around a billion dollars. It has played to audiences across Europe, America, Australia, Asia, and more corners of the world.
The latest production of Riverdance will begin its 30th-anniversary tour in August 2025. Before that, shows will be played in Japan and Germany.
Michael Flatley, most known for being launched onto the world stage thanks to Riverdance , has also reflected on that first-ever performance. In an interview with BBC News, he revealed that he was warned not to 'embarrass' Irish dancing .
He explained: "That night brings up a lot of memories. It was a unique evening. It was very, very special. I don't think I've ever mentioned it before.
"But right before I went on stage, they came to me beside the stage and said 'Please, we're getting calls from all the dance teachers. Please don't wave your arms around, you're going to make us look ridiculous in front of the world, so can we just ask you this time whatever happens, can you keep your arms down?'
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