Michael Flatley announces a five-night run of Lord of the Dance for Cork venue

The 25th anniversary show is sort of homecoming for the dancer who has been a longterm resident of Co Cork

Thu, 25 May, 2023 - 10:00

Maeve Lee

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance is celebrating 25 years with seven shows in total at Cork Opera House this August.

Kicking off August 9, the anniversary show will run for five nights at the Cork venue until August 13, including two matinees over the five-night run. Tickets are on sale on Friday, May 26.

The Cork show is a sort of homecoming for Flatley who has been a long-term resident of Castlehyde House, on the Blackwater near Fermoy. The former Riverdance star purchased the house and estate in 1999. The property had been up for sale for a period, but was removed from the market in recent years.

For the 25th anniversary tour, Lord of the Dance promises to go to the "next level" with new staging, costumes and choreography. Organisers say there will also be the addition of cutting-edge technology, special effects and remarkable lighting.

Flatley's ground-breaking choreography for Riverdance was followed by massive global success with hit shows Lord of the Dance

Flatley was catapulted to fame when Riverdance was performed during an interval break in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. The ground-breaking choreography for Riverdance was followed by massive global success with the Lord of the Dance shows.

Since its premiere 25 years ago, Flatley’s has seen global success for the iconic show that combines high-energy Irish dancing, original music, storytelling and sensuality. Ahead of the 25th anniversary of Lord of the Dance, Chicago-born Flatley is busy preparing a celebration for his beloved creation.

The Irish dancing icon embarked on his final tour in 2016, performing on stage for the last time at Caesar’s Colosseum in Las Vegas. However, he has continued the show’s creator, producer, and choreographer.

Earlier this year the 64-year-old was diagnosed with "an aggressive form of cancer". In a statement at the time, it was revealed that he had undergone surgery.

Promoting the Irish dates Joe Gallagher, of Joe Gallagher Entertainments said: "It's one of the most exciting formats of a dance show Michael has made Irish dancing sexy, some might say too sexy but he has brought Irish dancing to the world.”