Triumphs and tears of the dancing elite

A NEW film is set to give an entertaining glimpse at the triumphs and tears behind the bouffant wigs and sequins at Irish dancing’s most elite competition.

Ringletted hair pieces, €2,000 dresses, fake tan, make-up and sequinned socks are all part of uniform for 10-year-old girls flying halfway around the world to perform at the World Irish Dancing Championships.

While millions have been wowed by Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, the new BBC film, Jig, is the first time the controlling body of international competitive Irish dancing has allowed an outsider look behind their normally closed doors.