I remember being blown away by this on the night. For my money, it's still the single greatest ever performance at ANY Eurovision, and that includes the songs!

@Mal_Outdoors

Ай бұрын

Yes I remember seeing this on the night. It was stunning and mind blowing never having ever seen Irish Dancing before even this was on a new level.

@robertbrown6060

Ай бұрын

The bar is a bit low though isn’t it?

@bdickins2190

29 күн бұрын

Can YOU do it?

@jenniferlynn3537

28 күн бұрын

I saw Riverdance in New York City some 25 years ago - and I agree: it was mesmerizing! One of the vocalists had such an ethereally beautiful voice - and she was just the understudy! It really was an assemblage of amazingly talented performers. 🤩

@ruthfuller2105

28 күн бұрын

Agree with you.

Still get chills 30 years later watching this performance.

@rllapte

29 күн бұрын

When Riverdance was airing on PBS I was getting off work at midnight. I stumbled on to it with my conventional TV. I'd watch it for a while captivated but annoyed that I was not seeing it from the beginning and moved to something else. It was not until sometime later that I got to see it start to finish. My take: the finale by itself is worth the price of admission and then there was Jean Butler. I was in my early 40s by then and one never given to celebrity crushes but I had stars in my eyes for several years over her.

@JonathanMullan25

26 күн бұрын

in tears here. Way better than the shit we'e got going forward today -

@nancyharman4795

13 күн бұрын

And I'm just seeing it for the very first time in 2024!!! 💖

No matter how many times I watch this, I never get bored, it's awesome

I remember watching it live and being blown away. The whole country was infatuated with it. Nobody can remember the Eurovision itself but everybody remembers Riverdance.

@paulcrawley5687

28 күн бұрын

well i don’t know what country your on about but the trainers / dance teachers wasn’t in Ireland

@DudeSilad

28 күн бұрын

@@paulcrawley5687 Never said they were. Think you must have commented on someone else's comment. I can only assume

@bendgeddes

26 күн бұрын

When the world knew Ireland for the Troubles and U2 this largely forgotten ancient Irish subculture hit the whole world like a glorious happy hammer. 👍👍

@UbiMortus

10 күн бұрын

You had and have every right to be infatuated with this. It's just perfect.

@turkfiles

8 күн бұрын

World, meet Riverdance… Riverdance meet world! This is the place where history was made that forever changed the world. They raised the bar of dance artistry, to its highest level. Plus, everyone who saw them somehow gained some Irish DNA from that day through today and beyond. It will continue until our sun sheds the last of its light…

If you watch Eurovison 2024 after this you may want to bring a bucket.

@HowardRamsey

18 күн бұрын

Nice! Can't stop chuckling!

@janyth1329

16 күн бұрын

Was thinking the same thing

Jeez, I watched it live and here in 2024, ALL the goosebumps all over again!!!!!!! ;-)

A moment in time that still has the same impact years later Magical, beautiful and everlasting

@ReligionOfSacrifice

27 күн бұрын

I remember seeing both these two dancing as I was in the front row with my aunt who is now 93 years old and I still visit her every week to shop for her. Afterwards we got to meet him in person. I had a camera with a setting for long horizontal which I'd turn 90 degrees to get the full length of a body. I got one of me holding my arm around Michael Flatley's shoulders and he's quite small and about as wet as a man getting out of a swimming pool after all that dancing. He was surprised for the picture, but it was a great shot of the full length of both of us. I think asked my aunt who was in her 60s if she wanted a picture with him and she said, "When he smells like that? Hell, no" and Michael Flatley just busted up laughing.

Unbelievable to think this is 30 years old today. As electrifying now as it was then.

The two best things to come out of Eurovision, Riverdance and ABBA!

@hectorsmommy1717

25 күн бұрын

Celine Dion might want a word with you (but otherwise I agree).

@UbiMortus

10 күн бұрын

And Hard Rock Halleluja.

@dothackoblivion

4 күн бұрын

Northern Kings

This will never age. It still gets the spirits soaring and it brought Irish dance to the world. The singing at the beginning it magical. Superb

@christinephipps8236

Ай бұрын

totaly agree I also love the drums has well the whole peformance was spellbinding

@susancunningham7933

28 күн бұрын

Magic, best ever, music, dancing just outstanding

@scottmacey

28 күн бұрын

You can keep the music and the dancing thanks

@bendgeddes

26 күн бұрын

Irish dancing kept pretty quiet for 100s of years then BOOM! 👍👍

Our youngest daughter started Irish Dancing in 1997 and qualified for the World Championships with her team in 1999. They eventually went to two World's competitions, first in 2002 and again in 2005. She danced for a total of 12 years and her mom andI enjoyed all of it, especially the travel to cities where she competed and met some real nice folks.

@-Pearls

28 күн бұрын

That is really cool! Such an astounding dance.

@lydialanata8714

26 күн бұрын

Wow❤🎉😮

@MB-tr5sz

25 күн бұрын

No one cares

@cherijim2911

25 күн бұрын

@@MB-tr5sz I wouldn't be so sure ...

@MacTireBan

23 күн бұрын

Irish dance is incredibly athletic. It takes talent and hard work to get to Worlds!

I'm a black woman living in Philadelphia and I, along with some friends, have tickets for the show next April. Already excited... 1 year ahead of time !!!! ❤❤❤🥰

@katieks48

Ай бұрын

Hi I’m from S Jersey.. and I’ve been following river dance since 1995.. I first saw them while I was at work and fell in love.. I’ve never been able to go see them. I’d be excited too.. are they at the convention center again? I hope it’s a nice day and your heart filled with joy..God bless

@jocelynharris-fx8ho

Ай бұрын

@@katieks48 Hi. They are going to be at the Kimmel Center. That's on the campus at Temple University.

@davidhryan

Ай бұрын

Hi Jocelyn, If you’re a black woman…you’re honorary Irish ! 🥰

@jocelynharris-fx8ho

Ай бұрын

@@davidhryan thank you for that compliment !!! 🤗 My dad was in the Air Force in the 1950's and he was stationed in England where my older sister was born. So even though she's not Irish, she came close !!! Lol !!! Ironically she is a professional dancer. ( Ballet). I turned her onto Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and she loooves it !!! I found out last year, watching videos of competitions, that there are Irish dance troupes for people over 50.. I'm looking to see if they have classes. I'm 59 and may be too old for the jumps and kicks but I love a challenge and it would be fun to try !!! 😃

@Tinker1950

Ай бұрын

What relevance is your colour?

2024 and I'm still so amazed by this unbelievable performance 👏👏👏👏👌

I swear in my memory there were about a thousand dancers on the stage that night! 😆 That’s the impact they all had, sounding like an army! Bravo.

@melissahendrickson6255

25 күн бұрын

I remember it the same way! At the age of 6, I couldn't believe that so many thousand people knew how to move their legs that fast!

@cooswillemse7551

25 күн бұрын

Same thing here . Watching it now I go like “where are ethe other thousand dancers I saw that night” brilliant

The first time I saw this - I thought it was the best thing I had ever seen. It still makes me feel good

@susancunningham7933

28 күн бұрын

It is the best thing I have ever seen

After all these years it is still spine tingling!

Even after all these years it still hasn’t diminished its appeal.

I'd seen clips of the original, but this is the first time I'd seen it all the way through. I now understand why it was such a phenomenon! IMHO Jean Butler deserved way more credit for her part.

This never gets old! 2024 I still get the chills watching it.

@normacoope8239

28 күн бұрын

Absolutely, remember it so well. I live in Zimbabwe and flew to Johannesburg as the show brought out with Michael Flatley sensational.

@ronsolly9880

26 күн бұрын

@@normacoope8239 superb indeed

No-one remembers who won 1994. Everyone remembers Riverdance.

Jean Butler & Michael Flatley were incredible in the beginning years -- 30 years ago the Irish Step-Dancing they epitomized here started a true phenomenon which is RiverDance! ☆☆☆☆☆ ♡♡

This is still thrilling 30 years later. Incredible

The first time I saw Riverdance was on a PBS special presentation of the first full show. I and my two roommates were so astonished that we sat through the whole show with our mouths hanging open, not speaking a word. I took my mother to the live show on tour in San Francisco in 1998. I was even more mesmerized, as was my mother. The best show ever.

@user-xd2ml8dn9h

28 күн бұрын

I totally agree

This still brings a tear to the eye 30 years later. Because of Michael Flatley, The dam broke and the floods of Irish dancing and Irish music raged throughout the World. It is because of him, millions, billions of people were introduced to the Irish dancing world. How many VHS cassettes were purchased of the show and so many now wanted to be a Irish dancer just like the Riverdance show! I hope Ireland thanked him for this emotional breathtaking performance and how so many Irish dancing schools opened up around the World! Thank you Mr. Michael Flatley~ 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

@eightieslivenow7579

Ай бұрын

let include jean butler in the homage

@turkfiles

28 күн бұрын

@@eightieslivenow7579Absolutely!

The Night we irish showed the World that we are amazing people.

@user-bj3xr3wv9h

4 күн бұрын

We've always known that. From an Aussie who's happily been to Ireland and kissed the Blarney stone.

Incredible when you realise that the dancers touring with this show today weren't even alive in 1994!

I remember watching this in the Beachcomber pub in Killester and thinking it was extraordinary and also that Jean Butler was an absolute fox.

I was 12 years old watching this at home in Ireland with my family when it aired.. We were all gobsmacked and now 30 years later it's still just as spectacular now. Seen the live show in person last December.

@fmcm7715

Ай бұрын

I was 14. It was one of those tv moments you don’t forget. People talk about the dancing of course but the singers and drummers and musicians were all brilliant too.

@purplejaneybaby1922

Ай бұрын

I was 12 too and remember this as truly magical!

After all these years, still absolutely amazing!!

I have watched the original performance hundreds of times, and it still gives me goosebumps at the end! When Jean and Michael look at each other, you know they're so proud of what they have done.

I remember this well, probably the finest interval performance in Euro history. Watching it back again it’s interesting to hear the half hearted audience applause before, and then the bedlam and standing ovation afterwards. 😊

This was on my 9th birthday and as an Irish person it still gives me a lump in my throat to this day especially since it was performed on home soil. Simply breathtaking ❤

@bendgeddes

26 күн бұрын

A mere interval act changed the dance world. 💪

One of the best interval acts at Eurovision I've ever seen. From the choir to the dancers and music everything came together for 7 minutes and transported people away from the 1994 contest for a second. The man hours it took to rehearse this making sure everyone tapped in sync must be commended. This made Irish Dancing more mainstream making everyone in the world notice than just people in Ireland who already knew about it and certainly eclipsed every else that night as often has been stated. As Sir Terry Wogan said, "You didn't need to be Irish to like that." which I completely agree with been accessible to anyone whatever country they're from and having loved the show myself ever since and seen live for their 20th anniversary and will see again next year for their 30th then.

Astonishing performance! There are very few moments when everything, the music, the choreography, the dancing, the set, the lighting, all work seamlessly to create pure magic. This was one of those moments. When they created magic on a stage at Eurovision. Who would have seen it coming? Fantastic!

I saw Riverdance when it first appeared in London many years ago. Its still one of the best shows I've ever seen. Amazing talent and great entertainment.

I saw them with my daughter in 1996/97 in Norfolk VA. I believe Jean Butler and Michael Flatley was still with them. It was an amazing performance, one you need to see in person to appreciate.

No other country will EVER beat this. I can't even remember who won but will never forget this. From the sublime voice to the dancers was perfection. I have since seen the actual show 3 times. As good as they all have been no one can equal Michael and Jean

They were truly phenomenal dancers.

this is my favourite piece of Eurovision ever I've seen this perform live n it was the best thing ever

5:21 - never fails to bring a lump to my throat, hearing those taps. I watched this live with my wife who was a dancer. We both thought it was one of the greatest things we had ever seen.

Saw this in Birmingham all those years ago and I still get goosebumps when I see and hear it,it was in the week before Princess Diana's funeral which made I'd even more poignant they had a 2 minute silence for her and you could have heard a pin drop so emotional and so wonderful 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤

One of the most exciting dance performances I have ever seen. That was electric!

THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!! Julie Gill, Glasgow, Scotland.

30 years later and still remains one of the best interval act performances went go down in history. Great flashback. ❤

Of all the wonderful female dancers that partnered Michael Flatley over the decades, Jean Butler was the best. ❤

@Jesakin-rl7zq

28 күн бұрын

And Michael was better than them all

@snowysnowyriver

28 күн бұрын

@@Jesakin-rl7zq Absolutely.....Michael was a supreme showman on top of his dancing genius. The only dancers I see even coming close are the Gardiner Brothers. Unfortunately, since Michael.retired, Irish dancing has slipped in general public attention which means many people have not heard of the Gardiner Brothers. 😔

@kalayne6713

27 күн бұрын

​@snowysnowyriver I have been seeing them on video, in USA, especially when Beyoncé's Texas Hold'em first came out and everybody was dancing to it. I might be Australian but Ireland is my spiritual home.

@snowysnowyriver

27 күн бұрын

@@kalayne6713 It's excellent if they are getting a wider audience. They deserve it! 👍

I remember watching this at home with my mam and being utterly blown away by what we had just watched. I had never seen anything like this before in my life. Just magical. Brings tears to my eyes still 🇮🇪

@donnam5891

26 күн бұрын

Me too. It was one of the last things I saw with my mum, so very special memories. We just had the TV on in the background and were blown away when this came on. I've seen a version in Canberra, Australia some years ago

A sparkling diamond amidst the dross that is Eurovision.

I feel like we don’t have television moments like this anymore.

I remember watching it in 1994 (I don't watch the Eurovision Song Contest any more!) and being just as gobsmacked as the live audience there clearly were! It's still magical, such precision.

Saw Michael Flatley in Atlanta was most amazing show ever. He exhibited such sexuality and pure talent. Will never forget it.

Vividly remember seeing this live and the goosebumps I got were overwhelming! I was 15 and only used to listening to dance music on Radio 1! It is an absolutely breathtaking performance.

Ye brings tears to your eyes, what passion and bloody natural pride, 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️☘️👏👏👏👏👏👏

Dear God, compare this masterpiece to Eurovision 2024. There is no comparison. 2024 feels like it scraped the gutters to find any old crap to put on stage. I watched 1994 in real time and at every step change in the performance I felt “it can’t get better” but it did, and then it hit another level and I said “it can’t get any better” but it did, until we had a line of dancers in perfect step with uillean pipes going full tilt, the look on Jean Butler’s and Flatley’s faces was sublime, it just said, “we know this is f****n’ brilliant, and we’re loving it”. It was the greatest Eurovision ever beyond doubt.

it still makes the hairs on the back of the neck stand up. just goosebumps

I remember watching this....and being totally mesmerized by this whole dance scenario...thinking ''what the heck is this''...but blown away at the same time....incredible performance!!! Still gets my juices flowing watching this again!

Even after over thirty years still as incredible as it was that first night.

Still get goosebumps..so unexpected. Who knew this would be such an International sensation..and still going ❤

The first time I saw them on TV was unlike anything I've ever seen before. It tugged at me on the deepest level of my soul, stirring something primal in me. It was almost as if I could see my Viking ancestors in my mind.

Hard to believe that it is 30 years ago tonight that this performance was first performed. Excellent performance by all concerned.

And THIS is why the Irish could never be beaten in anything more than the most temporary of ways. The Irish always rise up, more stubborn and optimistic and full of heart than before. Knock them down and they only get up even faster, stronger...and probably laughing at you, too. This is the unconquerable spirit of a people.

Michael Flatley - the master of The Dance.

Of all the shows I worked on as a member of the Point Crew for 18 yrs this was my favorite memory, I was a follow spot operator for this historic event.

My mom's friend (an Irish dance teacher) sent us (in the US) a VHS copy of this a week after it aired in Europe. We wore that cassette out. We saw Riverdance live 3 times, and Lord of the Dance 4 times. Had the honor of meeting Michael backstage on most of those occasions. Those kids work out and rehearse for HOURS prior to the show. Wonderful memories!

saw it live in melbourne a couple weeks ago, it was breathtaking

I saw this on television at the time and it. Was. Magical. I was completely dumbfounded by it. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before or since. A proud time to be Irish 🇨🇮

@chrisa1146

14 күн бұрын

I'm with you! I stumbled on it while channel surfing and after intensely watching for a few minutes, leaning into the t.v. set, I realized I hadn't closed my mouth the whole time. Truly a "jaw-on-the-floor" moment. Can't believe it's been 30 years!

Still blown away and still wonderful.

I was due to give birth to my youngest son any day and I can remember watching this and my son was kicking like crazy during the whole thing.

So young back then. always proud that Michael came from Chicago.

Not just the high point of this particular Eurovision, but the high point of Eurovision, period. I love to watch this. Not just for the music but for the ecstatic response from the audience at the end.

Absolutely THRILLING. I can’t wait to see my next live Riverdance performance. A historical and cultural treasure.

I still get goosebumps from watching this.

So proud to be Irish. They know how to put on a great show ❤

@garybeauchamp3623

Ай бұрын

You should be proud. Riverdance was the show that got me hooked on Irish music. I saw it and Celtic Woman in person several times when these shows toured America. I never tire of this dance and music. Some of my ancestry is Irish and Scottish and maybe that's why I got hooked on it, a racial memory maybe?

Couldn’t believe what we watched. We were a group of 6 watching the esc that night which wasn’t very good that year and then this happened and we were just lost for words. Remember all 6 of us going wtf was that. Brilliant

I truly love this performance.

The amazing part is... This show never gets old. Same explosive wonderful energy. Pure joy

Still absolutely breathtaking 😍

Yep, still gets me... Remember when I saw it on telly, true shock and amazement :)

Jean Butler looked gorgeous. Michael Flatley's mullet....nil points!

Jean Butler was absolutely gorgeous!

Still gives me goosebumps when I watch this today as it did then.

This was its golden era, before it became over commercialised. Reminds me of an era of line dancing and CDs full of panpipes covers.

Amazing.....remember watching this at the time .30years ago..i was 26...😱

It was the first time in my life I could say I was proud to be Irish

2024 and this is still beautiful to watch

Still better than anything you'll see at Eurovision 2024

Wife and I took our children to Riverdance a few times when it was touring. Always a fantastic experience! Many evenings, we'd watch variations of the performance on our VCR too. Great memories.

Best EVER!!!! I will never, ever forget seeing it the 1st time

❤ Greetings from coastal Mississippi. I have witnessed Riverdance many times. Have even been privileged to meet the cast❤

I was delighted meet many of the crew in Rotterdam and they were really wonderful and professional but very personal as well

This still gives me goosebumps 30yrs later! I remember getting the US CD soundtrack as a birthday present. I think I wore out the player before I wore out the CD!🤣

Made my day. Still riveting!!!

From the moment I was first introduced to this I loved it. I would have loved being able to learn this dancing as a child.

My late husband and I were lucky enough to see a traveling company (in my little "podunk" town in California) in the early 00s. We were in the front row! Unfortunately, Michael Flatley wasn't there but it was magical anyway!!

River Dance is incredible

One of the few good things to come from eurovision . This was amazing .

It upstaged everything else from EuroVision, by a _long_ shot!

Michael Flatley thank you for this perfection of The soul of Ireland ❤

Brings back so many great memories!

This made my little girl want to learn Irish Dance. 28 trophies and many feis later, my daughter was fantastic and it was worth every minute!

The phenomenon that is Riverdance, the best 7 mins ever to grace our TV screens. Gave me shivers as much today as it did 30 years ago, truly spectacular. 🌟🌟🌟