Irish dancing comes of age with reel ‘feis-ionistas’

Wigs and ornate dresses have driven up the cost of Irish dancing. But, says Arlene Harris, many parents want a more back-to-basics approach today

IT’S been 20 years since Riverdance captured the imagination of the world and Irish dancing has been gaining in popularity ever since. But as with everything in life, popularity brings commercial opportunities and of course, fashion.

It may have begun with humble woollen dresses with discreet Celtic designs, but dance costumes have become increasingly ornate with today’s young dancers not feeling the part unless they are bedecked with jewels, sequins, make-up and of course, the ubiquitous bouncy wigs.