Lord of the dance Michael Flatley announces his retirement

More than two decades ago, Michael Flatley was in rehearsals at the then Point Theatre, practising for an unknown act to keep guests amused during the interval at the upcoming Eurovision.

At the weekend he was back there, at what is now called the 3Arena, only this time in addition to wowing the crowds, the original star of Riverdance was rehearsing for his upcoming retirement.

The self-proclaimed Lord of the Dance — and there is little argument — tapped his feet for the last time on an Irish stage on Saturday night when he brought the house down with a typically high-powered performance in the show of the same name.