Riverdance as the interval act in Eurovision 1994, Dublin

[@david8157]

I was in a pub in Dublin that night and like everyone else pretty much ignoring the Eurovision on a TV above the bar... until Riverdance came on and the whole pub fell quiet & was spellbound... and then erupted into wild incandescent applause at the end... everyone was completely taken by surprise and floored.

[@FredGandt]

That spontaneous, unanimous, exhaltant cheer before the standing ovation says it all. Absolutely spectacular.

[@ballyhigh11]

without exaggeration, I'd say this was Ireland's birth as a modern euoprean nation. I remember my heart bursting with pride for being Irish when I saw this. And then every country in the EBU tried to copy us for the rest of the 90s!

[@silverkitty2503]

damn

[@maryswann7623]

@@Mims118 never said that. Seems to me that the darker colored people's of the world (Germans, Italians etc.) Are mean, uncaring people. Lighter colored (Irish, Swedes etc) are sensitive and kind. And usually are the kind that takes crap. Anyway, Flatley's dancing brought awareness to the Irish and their customs. And respect for the magnificent music and dance.

[@shanefolan]

@@maryswann7623 only it was the Yanks that had to dance for us, it's embarrassing if anything we couldn't do it ourselves.

[@bridodonnell6698]

I agree it heralded a new era

[@mossy2209]

What was supposed to be an interval piece became a world sensation and boy, it deserved to be that

[@thatsthejobbb8587]

Being a little girl in Ireland when this was originally aired... Every school playground was a stage full of dancers the following day😂 I can still hear my Irish Dance teacher, Mrs. Ryan screeching "BATTERRRR"😂💚🇮🇪

[@h.d.5194]

Was she from the north

[@ilovegeorgeharrison]

Literally the best interval act in eurovision history. No interval act can beat this EVER. Absolutely Amazing ❤🇮🇪

[@squishmallowfan025]

Nope. And apparently there was a lot of last second scotch tape to keep everything together but this is just inspired. You can't duplicate this level of training and performance,

[@silverkitty2503]

@@squishmallowfan025 Irish dancers start when they are four ..and start competing onstage about the age of 8 they have competitions literally every weekend my cousin was leinster senior champion. Today professional dancers are even better because things always get better. But these guys were seasoned pros.

[@squishmallowfan025]

@@silverkitty2503 This CAN'T be easy on the knees! I suppose really it's like anything where they make it look easy(ish) - start young, perhaps yes have some theatrical acumen as it's about selling the performance and not thinking about the technique - although very clearly it's there.

[@barneyclifton6402]

I'm tearing up. Jean was 23 years old. How absolutely beautiful that she would accomplish this at her age. Incredible performance!

[@jasonsmith8300]

At 48 she returned for Riverdance's 25th anniversary

[@MichaelWoods85]

Best Eurovision interval act still to this day. Proud to be Irish

[@shanefolan]

shame the 2 leads dancing aren't even Irish.

[@brianhannigan735]

Shane Folan the two leads not being Irish just shows how far we reach. Simply beautiful

[@MichaelWoods85]

Michael Flatly was born in Ireland, Jean Butler is An Irish American

[@shanefolan]

@@MichaelWoods85 no he wasn't

[@anthonydavies5605]

@@MichaelWoods85 They're both Irish American. Jean Butler was born in Nassau County, New York, Michael was born in Chicago. It doesn't make me less proud of my Irish roots.

[@ravensrulzaviation]

I never ever get tired of watching the original dancers. Jean Butler and Michael Flatley. Hell, I am so amazed at the stamina, remembering of steps, the choreography, the music. I had such a huge crush on Jean. Lol.

[@dtaylor4552]

"Lord Of The Dance" should become a film based on Michael Flatley's life from humble beginnings being born to Irish parents growing up in Chicago to the glittering and successful life long career and the smash hit show of the 1990s and the part he played in bringing show to life Cast:- Aiden Turner as Michael Flatley Amanda Seyfried as Jean Butler Allan Leech as Damien O'Kane Shakira as Bernadette Flynn Domnhall Gleeson as Daire Nolan Maisie Williams as Helen Egan Cillian Murphy as Desmond Bailey Lilly James as Anne Buckley Maura Higgins as Gillian Norris Saiorse Ronan as Máiréad Nesbitt Katie McGrath as Cora Smyth Ciárán Hinds as Ronan Hardiman Music:- Musical score by John Williams & Original "Lord Of The Dance" music by Ronan Hardiman Songs by Anne Buckley and "Dangerous Games" sung by Nadine Coyle Vocalist:- Enya Producers:- Michael Flatley Niamh O'Brien Jean Butler Bernadette Flynn Damien O'Kane Helen Egan Daire Nolan Anne Buckley Gillian Norris Kelly Hendry Desmond Bailey Choreography:- Bernadette Flynn Damien O'Kane Kelly Hendry Desmond Bailey Hair and Make up:- Gillian Norris Executive producer and Director:- Robert Zemnickis Directed by Steven Spielberg

[@kaymuldoon3575]

Jeffrey Werner same here. Well, except I had a crush on Michael, not Jean. Lol

[@kaymuldoon3575]

daniel taylor that would be an awesome film!

[@sleuthman]

@@kaymuldoon3575 It's now officially 2 to 1 for Jean ... the Irish Nicole Kidman!

[@rygregory]

I had a “crush” on Jean until I realized a decade later that I really had a crush on Michael. 🤣🌈

[@Styxswimmer]

An interval act went on to international acclaim while all others, including the main act, are forgotten. This was truly lightning in a bottle

[@aron1332]

​@Fire TV most likely. The actual winner that evening is not even the best (although far from worse). Poland, Hungary, Russia, and Germany were better

[@frazzleface753]

4:30 The roar from that crowd for....an interval act! Something special had been born.

[@Imlaor25]

One of those rare occasions when everything is just PERFECT

[@liamholton8937]

What a goosebumps and proud to be Irish moment!

[@DRAGONS147]

It still gives me goosebumps to this day ( ; I fuckin' luv our tiny island.

[@bigslave6437]

Yes lads!

[@Garethasaurus]

it's been 10 years since I (temporarily) left Ireland...but my heart still beats like a 1994 Eurovision interval act ✊🇮🇪☘️

[@angelcherry-tree2687]

Im November 1994 wurde ich in Dublin zu RIVERDANCE von meiner Hostfamily eingeladen. Unvergesslich dieser Abend! Welch magischer Auftritt, was für ein Abschiedsgeschenk von Marys family from Anglesearoad in Dublin. Never will forget you❤

[@bkrbkrl]

To this day, it still takes my breath away. I remember seeing this when it originally aired and I stood up from my couch at the end and wanted to cheer myself! What a performance! I got to see the original show as well when it came to my city. Live was even better.

[@spannamatronic]

Me too, I so clearly remember watching this at the time and being mindblown by it. Not many things look as spectacular years later but this really does.

[@lawrencef.9183]

After 25 years and many, many views this still takes my breath away. And always will.

[@DRBR-2020]

Nothing will ever be as good as the original with Jean Butler and Michael Flatley.

[@WildDancer101]

It all started with this moment, and I will appreciate it for a long time.

[@arranhanratty8023]

WildDancer101 there both Irish not Irish American

[@Blivot]

Can you imagine the legs cramps these guys must get>>>OMG! SALUTE!

[@twan1945]

It still gives me the shivers, after all these years!

[@df1985]

I was only 8 years old but can still remember the reaction. My parents said it was all anyone talked about for days afterwards with constant tv,radio,newspaper coverage etc. The music gets played the odd time in Irish nightclubs about 2am or at Irish weddings…now THAT is an experience 😂 Everyone thinks they’re Michael Flatley. 💃

[@pangorban1]

I was a hopeless snob about the Eurovision Song Contest ... still am. However, I watched the contest that year on SBS Australia, the multi-cultural channel, purely because Ireland was the host and I'm 100% Irish heritage. When the act was announced, I thought that it would be just some typical Irish traditional dancing and some toorah-loorah diddley-eye singing. Eight minutes later, I was in shock. OMG ... what just happened?

[@davidparker1458]

Simply fantastic

[@DenkyManner]

Cutting the opening song is a mistake, it's every bit as good as what followed and sets the scene.

[@geezerpleasers_OG]

I agree. It's an integral part of the performance. It's unforgiveable to cut it out.

[@Sheza58]

It's elsewhere on here. I've just seen it but the comments are disabled.

[@frankieb43]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/anXJo5ueZrSnrdE Here it is included

[@techscreen321]

The dance and its presentation was exceptional in itself, but it is the spontaneous burst of applause which underlines just how special this was!

[@valerieselau7384]

25 years today since their greatest performance of the century to become the world's greatest and most successful talented act in the history of music and entertainment ( showbiz) . So many memories, so many remarkable stories and so many memorable moments from over those years since the very beginning in the early 90s. Thank You Riverdance! Congratulations and Happy 25th Anniversary! 😍

[@federicaspontoni6207]

&::

[@martinpatrick1746]

In celebration of 25 years Riverdance celebrates with a brand new show..all the music and dances reimaged.

[@martinpatrick1746]

Saw a clip of the original Riverdance cast dancing with the next generation of Riverdance dancers.

[@itsjonathanbitch]

@@martinpatrick1746 I just seen it last night. Nothing was reimagined, exactly the same as show I seen in like 2011. But there was full live music and singing which wasn’t in the last show.

[@rivermoon6190]

As an Irish person this still makes me so proud. 2023 and there has never been such a stunning, breathtaking intermission show at Eurovision (or anywhere else) as this one from 1994. The Irish will forever be glorious.

[@faytheweber8578]

on PBS 25 years ago in DC, they showed little clips from the Eurovision performance as an ad for the first time the whole show was going to be broadcast. The clips alone were so fantastic, I taped them and couldn't wait for the broadcast of the show. It was absolutely stunning. There is nothing more exciting than seeing something wonderful that has never been seen before.

[@kaymuldoon3575]

The audience was thinking, “Wow...these folks have achieved the impossible: they’ve made Irish dancing COOL.”

[@Styxswimmer]

Irish dancing was always cool, they just took it to a whole new level

[@southlondon86]

Wow I can’t believe I still remember this! Very popular back in the day. 1994, great movies!

[@MissBrit2137]

So mesmeric. Makes me cry every time. Beautiful

[@genie121]

Always come back to this. Nobody in the years later were able to top this. It can never be done again.

[@Styxswimmer]

It was truly lightning in a bottle

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

Riverdance became the Irish equivalent of what 'Thriller' and Michael Jackson did for pop music . Ironically, Michael Flatley mentioned in a t. v. show interview, that he and Michael Jackson discussed the idea of doing a show together. Shame that MJ died before it could take place 🥺 The Flatley and Jackson show, would have been a much bigger hit in my opinion, than 'This is it ' ever would have. I would have paid any amount of money to see Flatley and Jackson dancing together. 🤗

[@colmc]

The moment when you go "Swedish Smorgasbord was alright, but it was no Riverdance" forevermore...

[@cloudsparrow7729]

my goodness, how the Eurovision audience has changed from 1994 to 2024

[@DK640OBrianYT]

Honest spontanious standing ovation is an unbeatable response and for Riverdance this was historic. In 1994 I have had the TV connected with my HiFi-Stereo equipment for a handful of years and though I have no recollection of the ESC1994, I'm sure, that this performance had me crank the (volume) knob all the way up. It made us buy the VHS and the CD a few years time ahead when the hype was at its highest and today around 25 years later, it's obvious why the talents, skills and quality reached stardom. It was perfect.

[@bluemistyj2]

My husband, teenage daughter, and I were travelling in Ireland and saw this as it happened on TV. It's still amazing. A few years ago, daughter and I saw the touring company in Los Angeles.

[@sheilaperrone7654]

❤❤❤ I haven't seen this in a good while and i am choking up with tears of pride. I don't think anyone expected THIS that night. I am so very proud of my country. THIS WILL NEVER be topped in any European song contest EVER. I bet even God beamed. ❤

[@Euroviking86]

The best interval act of all time.

[@pinkmandymoo]

I aspire to enter a room like Micheal flatley one day

[@phyllispetras3369]

Nureyev eh?????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[@jocelynharris-fx8ho]

​@@phyllispetras3369Michael mentioned in a documentary, that he once danced with Rudolph Nureyev.

[@ianr9898]

The spirit of humanity in one incredible performance,

[@Charlie-rb7to]

Watching this yet again after hearing Bill Whelan's incredible interview on this morning's Morning Ireland show. I will never forget the time I first saw it in 1994. I'm so proud to be Irish ☘ 🇮🇪 💚

[@sarahh4458]

Watching this always cheers me up - thank you:-) Once in a lifetime.

[@tpchannelgr]

Synchronization at beyond level!!

[@kyarichards2894]

Still mesmerizing, and in no small part to the elegance of Jean Butler and completely electrifying presence of Michael Flatley. Hoping he recovers as he has so much more to give. Watching him fly out onto the stage... who will ever forget that moment. The whole country just stopped...

[@surreyboy84]

I remember watching this when I was 10. When Michael Flatley came dancing on to those drums I thought this is something else. I wasn’t wrong.

[@ukdavepianoman]

I remember watching/listening to this 29 years ago and was blown away by the stunning music and precision / spectacle of the dancing. 29 years later nothing has changed. It's still completely stunning.

[@sabrinabagnarol927]

Hear the roar from the crowd at the end, the audience was blown away

[@judithfarnell8002]

Just the most amazing dancing I've ever seen.sadly never seen Michael and Jean but I did see the Riverdance company perform at Bradford a few years ago.... unbelievable talent

[@13086]

30 years later and still stunning!

[@manichairdo9265]

And the crowd, ROARED.🥳💃🕺💕

[@patriciahoughton2234]

So proud of my Irish heritage xxx 💕💕💕

[@Styxswimmer]

Everyone should be proud of who they are

[@nathanglass6102]

work of art ❤️

[@wesleyjohndelaney106]

2:17 is what I came here for The way she comes over to him makes me fall in love with her every time. Nicole Kidman's sister haha

[@Ktcsr17]

I always thought she looks like nicole

[@emu9520]

Goosebumps…marked a moment when us Irish felt proud…started to believe…started to break free….

[@LunaSalo]

Too bad I was too little (four years old) to see this tho it was also the first time my country participated. Been a fan of Eurovision since 2000, but only seeing this now... Wow! Literally got goosebumps watching it....This is amazing! (and Ireland won the contest the same year as well)

[@Sheza58]

The two hosts knew didn't they? They knew what was about to be introduced to the world.

[@loonylaura85]

Maybe the were at rehearsals?

[@Sheza58]

@@loonylaura85 maybe they were...but the world wasn't was it? Smarty pants.

[@davidalbrecht2712]

This is now 25 years ago. And still needed as ever. I wish for them to show up on this years ESC.

[@PaulCochrane-y1t]

Stunningly Brilliant , it is that simple . Brilliant

[@syniekos]

Michael Flatley & the gang danced & tap danced their way into superstardom !

[@dh2682]

Wow,i remember watching this with my Mum at the time,we loved it,the song at the begining of it was amazing,its still great to watch.

[@SBW4453U]

If you’re curious the song is Riverdance by Bill Whelan

[@Standring64]

WOW!!!! I remember jumping out of my chair and clapping like mad. Then the tears started.

[@kerrysgold1]

What we do with our hands...we do with our feet 💚💚🇮🇪🇮🇪👏👏

[@masterkillle]

The Composer of this Melodie is a Good for me!! Absolut amazing vibe between Michael and Jean! Stunning Dancing and Music composed to a perfect Show! The Eurovision Winner 1994 is Riverdance!!!

[@sloth8632]

I've recently viewed some videos of the latest Riverdance crew, and these OG have a more natural beauty and their dance uniform and make up are more modest too. The new one looks a bit over the top with the colour choice and make up. The shade of green and make up selection has a Poison Ivy and Jim Carrey's Joker feel to it, from the Batman movies. This is not an attack on the dancers themselves, but the make up and costume departments.

[@MayaShantiSoulpeace]

Wow! I love this, amazing, very well done! 💖

[@laszlokaestner5766]

I swear you can see the moment (4:44) where Flatley realises what he has just done.

[@firstindigo]

Actually this was the brainchild of Moya Doherty (a producer for RTE). She dreamed the whole thing up and put Whelan, Flatley, Butler and the dance troupe and orchestra together. Flatley just capitalised on it.

[@culbycove4963]

@@firstindigo THANK YOU for giving Moya Doherty her flowers, she was also responsible for changing the voting system for Eurovision that same year

[@occono3543]

@@culbycove4963 What do you mean, the voting system didn't change this year? Do you mean the idea to use satellite video?

[@sailingsam3815]

What amazing performance

[@fionamurphy2653]

Absolutely brilliant 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@Kopp203]

I remember watching this back in '94, when the Eurovision was still about the music and very much worth watching and thinking, "Holy jaysus!" at the end of this piece. Bill Whelan's spin on traditional Irish music was inspired, as was the entire production, especially the choreography, but often forgotten in all of this is Moya Doherty, who came up with the entire concept. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when Moya, Bill, Jean and Michael first sat down to start hashing out the idea and create something this special. What a shame that Flatley turned out to be a massive douche. Still, it'll go down in history as something that was only supposed to be an interval act, but actually eclipsed the entire event it was an interval for and went on to - quite rightly - become a Worldwide phenonemon. This 5 minutes did more for Irish music and culture than anything had in the previous few decades.

[@michelasdisappointmentanda2304]

This was iconic, I remember my whole family watching Eurovision and admiring this performqnce

[@rayanking3565]

MASTERPIECE.........MAGIC.............WONDERFULL...........SPECTACULAR........HUGE EMOTIONS.........BREATHTAKING........ THE WORD TO EXPLAIN THIS EMOTION IS NOT INVENTED YET NEVER GET TIRED TO WATCH THIS AMMMMMMAAAAZZZZZING PERFORMANCE MASTERPIECE EVER OF ALL DANCING AROUND THE WORLD. WE LOVE YOU FROM ALBANIA

[@johnmunro4952]

Not usually that interested in Eurovision,I happened to be watching this. I thought I'd watch the halftime show. Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. Then afterwards no one I knew had seen it it was at least a year before the full show started to conquer the world that people caught on. So glad I kinda stumbled across it at the time. Genuine TV history. So powerful, so moving so dare I say sexy!? The moment modern Ireland stepped onto the world stage. Magnificent.

[@lostafin8990]

It took me watching it a few times to notice that the hosts manage to completely change in only 5+ minutes. Impressive.

[@Styxswimmer]

Never again will an interval act upstage the main events.

[@maureenmolleron747]

Saw the group in France years later, and all I can say is that they are exceptional!

[@oriain81]

Brought the proud irishness out of the Irish..as a Irish child and watching before bed I felt very happy and not knowing the success they would have.

[@conors4430]

I was four, just have the faintest memory of sitting on the floor in front of the telly and my mam auntie and uncle and the crowd going nuts

[@shiharanizam2258]

Truly spectacular!!! I remember this from the 90’s!!!!

[@TPHB5011]

Just saw Riverdance live for the time, I'm still in Awe

[@michaelbooth2890]

Riverdance = The half time entertainment that stole the tournament.

[@IrishRose]

I was 14 and still remember it - absolutely stunning! We have such a beautiful culture and it’s awful to see it being threw away.

[@niallyshere]

irish culture being replaced by multi-culture

[@dellhell8842]

@Irish Rose I was 32 then. What I remember is that some 'traditionalists' in Irish dancing and culture criticised it at the time as straying too far from the genuine article as they saw it. The dancing and the costumes were too sexy and Americanised, some of the dancers weren't really Irish, etc. They were wrong of course. Ireland was changing as it and everything else always does, and Riverdance was a reflection of that change, just has having an uppity lefty liberal woman (as again some traditionalists saw her) as president then also reflected that change. Ireland continues to change, you can embrace the change, or decide that some golden moment of your youth should be frozen in time forever, and then whinge impotently at the Internet gods when the real world moves on.

[@IrishRose]

@@dellhell8842 some changes are good and some changes are bad. What makes you think this change is good?

[@orlaithhegarty5633]

My dad always tells the story of when he was in the pub and the Eurovision was on and they were all smokin away laughin at how the Irish were gonna embarrass us now on the Eurovision and he said once it was over the place was silent and he looked and every man and woman had tears in their eyes then place erupted in cheering

[@adamthers1881]

When i was a child my grandmother used to try and get me into this. I hated it. Now im older and i can't stop watching it. If theres such a thing as an afterlife just know Nan that i get it now!

[@phyllispetras3369]

By God that audience does not sit on their hands!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BRAVO BRAVO!!!!

[@alanmarshall393]

Simply brilliant 👌

[@arthouston7361]

I had almost forgotten how good Flatley was in those days, and the on stage chemistry he had with Miss Butler. It was nice to see this clip…..from the beginning of their rise. I think that Jean should be proud of the work that she did there.

[@Melkav1]

Stunning 💚

[@Steveoqotsa]

I drink beer,listen to heavy rock,Rush,watch far too much porn but everytime I watch this it’s goosebumps & my jaw hits the floor....utterly magical,they did Ireland proud!!!

[@billyorielly1308]

I only rediscovered this recently watch it everyday took me old ma to see it hammersmith odean god rest her soul

[@lindapadley5806]

Eurovision was something you watched. Can say that 1994 was something else! Can't believe it's 30 years since Riverdance was shown! This is the first time I got interested in celtic music. The interval was better than the competitors!

[@squishmallowfan025]

It's the guy in the back at the end....he's beyond thrilled

[@siramea]

thats Breandán de Gallaí he became the lead dancer in the Riverdance company some years later

[@squishmallowfan025]

@@siramea Thank you for the info! You can just tell. It's the right combination of technical skill and attitude and sometimes one second of it gets them the promotion.

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

They practiced with the lights turned down because it is easier to hear a mis-timed step than it is to see one.

[@loonylaura85]

That's a good bit of info! 👍 Where did you learn it?

[@jaydouch2320]

They hadn’t a whisper what was coming...

[@rygregory]

Not taking away from the Irishness of this all as it really is a truly beautiful example of Irish culture BUT I was exactly today-years-old when I found out that both Jean Butler and Michael Flatley were both born and raised in the US!!! (Of course with Irish roots.) How did I not know this all these years?! I looked up some of their interviews and the voices that came out of them were not what I expected. After being such a huge Riverdance fan for over 25 years, I feel so duped. Haha jk. And I’m American myself! Lol. Anyway, still LOVE Riverdance! I even started playing the tin whistle because of the music and dabble a little bit in my hard shoes. Haha. I believe my calling in life is to marry someone Irish. 💚

[@cheshireweed]

I did, it's not all it's cracked up to be ;)

[@RazorMouth]

@@cheshireweed and yet riverdance and it's successors turned over billions of dollars and Euro... Obviously many people worldwide don't agree with you 😂

[@cheshireweed]

@@RazorMouth my apologies boca razor. I didn’t realize you’re my ex-wife ;)

[@JimSting]

The unsuspecting crowd must have been utterly blown away. Their standing ovation response says it all. Literally a history-making moment.

[@Styxswimmer]

When they first said riverdance before it started, there was a sporadic, tame clapping. After it was done the crowd roared a standing ovation. Michael and Jean knew in that moment they did something special.

[@alonzovic559]

30 years ago!

[@daphneyan1236]

It is amazing!!

[@alastairmackay4589]

Still breathtaking to this day.

[@luisalmeida1391]

And to think the Portuguese broadcaster at the time interrupted the emission for commercials... I only remember the Portuguese presenter completely euphoric after the break.