I remember watching this as it happened. Usually the Eurovision interval act is something to be endured, or avoided as you go and put the kettle on or something, but this just blew my girlfriend and I away. At the end when the applause broke out we stood and clapped as well and just looked at each other like we'd seen something extraordinary. It really was a special moment of live tv that was totally unexpected.
I was visiting the UK for the first time, and the family I was visiting had the telly on, but the dinner timing had gone off and there were little kids to feed, so I ended up wandering into the lounge on my own toward the end of this and I was confused/in awe and when I went to tell them about it in the other room. Everyone was like, but it's a singing show, who was dancing then? but it was over. and in those days, over was over. so all I could say was, 'tap dancers, like, a lot of tap dancers, but no singing!"
This one and Lumen from the next year are tied for my favourite. Lumen is amazingly beautiful and gives me chills just as much as Riverdance does, and also features the every lovely Moya Brennan, as well as three of the other Brennan sisters, Deirdre, Olive, and Brídín.
@@gretaward4607 She should show him the live version of Galway Girl. I love that song and I don't know a single American that knows it but it. I don't know why it would do very well on the US country charts. ua-cam.com/video/SNs0vKDvs0g/v-deo.html
I'm Irish American, and even as a member of the diaspora, there's something about this performance that moves my heart. ☘️ My chest swells with love and pride for my ancestors and our people. 💖
I remember watching this from England.. and we had no idea it was going to be this great, thinking it was going to be very traditional. I literally had waves of goosebumps at each stage. Both then and now. It was one of those tv moments that make you want to stand up and cheer in your own front room. So good!
Flatley was such a Diva on the Riverdance production , but he was driven , passionate , and dedicated to his craft and the show and Riverdance was absolutely HUMUNGUSLY HUGE the world over and really did show Irish dancing and to some extent Irish culture to the entire planet , a lot of cast and those associated with the show made a good living doing what they loved with this show and that is no bad thing .It was a total cultural phenomenon.
I remember when this came out. I fell in love with Butler! The way she would float along the floor, effortless in her jumps! She was grace personified!
yes. I'm from the states, and Michael Flatley was my childhood. my parents introduced me to Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. I liked Feet of Flames as well. I'm still so sad that I never got to see him perform. 💔 I've always loved tap dancing and would dance around the house lol (not well, but yeah 🙃). I'm practicing tap right now, since the place I'm staying at is all hardwood floors 😛. getting better at it, which is cool.
The fact that we presented this, as the little Island at the edge of Europe, and how world famous it is now, is amazing. I am lucky to have my sister be apart of the Riverdance troupe. This truly put us on the international stage.
I literally cried and got goosebumps watching this all over again for what is about the millionth time. My best friend growing up, her parents are from Ireland (her mom grew up here in the US from a young age). I remember watching the Riverdance VHS in '95 at her house and being absolutely IN LOVE with it from the very start. Since then, I've had always wanted to do Irish Dance but my parents didn't know how to get me started in it. In 1997, when my friend and I were in 5th grade, we did "Irish Dancing" to music from Riverdance for our school talent show. My mom even made us matching outfits for it. People loved it and we even had parents who grew up doing Irish Dance come up to us and tell us that we looked like we actually knew what we were doing (went didn't lol). Now that I'm an adult and a parent, I tried tirelessly to get my daughter into Irish Dance to no avail until she saw a teacher Irish Dance for Paddy's Day when she was in preschool. She's now 8 years old and has been dancing since she was 5 years old. I finally pursued my dream of doing Irish Dance 2 years ago and now at 35 I love it more than ever. I still get chills listening to the music and seeing others dancing. I love being able to feel that much closer to my heritage, which I've always been so proud of to begin with. Thank you for posting this because it brought back such great memories of growing up, the friendship I had, my grandma (her parents were from Malin Head and Ennis and she was very proud of her Irish heritage) and seeing how much this touches you still to this day is such a beautiful thing.
I've watched this video 4 times in the last two days, not this actual channel but on various channels and it reduces me to tears every time. Jean Butler is ethereal. She floats like gravity has no effect on her.
Riverdance and Jean Butler are the reason I started Irish dancing at 8, and I only fully retired 3 years ago at 31. Irish dancing will forever have my heart and just brings me so much closer to my Irish heritage from all the way in New Zealand ☘️
Hello fellow Kiwi! I would love to learn how to do it, though I fear due to me being 28 I think it's too late for me. But I love watching irish dancing, it really shows the hard work and talent people put into it
@@orls9068Yeah! My advice too! Go for it! I started at age 23 and I'm still dancing at 35. No, I will never be as good as Riverdance-pro's or other showdancers, but when I consider I expected to have to quit after a few lessons as it would prove a bit too intense at that age, I consider myself extremely lucky that I made it to the third level (of basically the 4 there are in Commission dancing) by now. No, I'm certainly struggling at the third level, but wow... I came from so far away. Oh wait, I forgot: the oldest dancer in my class is way in her fifties (or even in her sixties, can't remember).
Me too, just a little later in life ;) Landed on someone who (most likely) posted an illegal copied part of Jean Butlers' Masterclass of Irish dance. That was what got me looking for a school...
Anùna just brought everyone to complete awe and silence when this began. I hope their amazing contribution wasn't overshadowed by Jean and Michaels performance. ❤
This clip always makes me want to cry. It’s watching history which always blows me away. That bit when the chorus dance begins always gets me. It’s truly stunning. I listen to the full soundtrack regularly and got inspired to learn some Irish dancing because of it. I was super young when it came out and it was groundbreaking.
I saw this in Australia, probably not live but we like all of those millions of viewers were not expecting anything like this and I still get chills and tears in my eyes & I'm an Aussie so be proud😘
This is the only interval act of any Eurovision show in all the country’s that had it that has had a standing ovation which lead on to its own show. I saw it live and as an Irish dancer myself was blown away with this performance. As a result Irish dancing has spread world wide. Wonderful to keep going back to it.☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
@terry oneill Ireland ( my country so I would know) was called " the free state" between 1922 and 1937 when the irish constitution was first signed into being. Anyone who now calls our country that is showing their ignorance.
I remember watching it back then... I remember the excitement... I remember being moved almost to tears during that tracking shot of the moving feet in perfect synchronicity... I remember my wife and me jumping on our feet and clapping by the end of the performance as whole of Europe did... Unforgettable !
Great reaction Guys, thanks 🤗. I watched this live and remember being completely entranced. A perfect marriage of Irish Culture and modern showmanship, presented at the perfect time and place. I can assure you that that audience response had Never been seen before at the Song Contest !
I cried my little eyes out when I saw this in 1994.I was moving to America with my little newborn baby girl and my mother bought the American version of the video forme to take with me. just over a year later we returned the seeds of the Celtic tiger had begun.magical and still makes me emotional.
I watched it live and looking back the whole singing contest was really the warm up for river dance. Should have just stopped the show and given all the points to Michael,Jean and the rest. Still now utterly breathtaking and Impossible for an Englishman to understand how you can move your feet so fast.
I was 7 in ‘94 when I saw this for the first time. I remember literally staring in amazement because I had NEVER seen anything so cool. I felt connected to it all the way over in the US. I started Irish dance 11 years after that at 18. Every time I see Riverdance I fall even more in love with it and I remember just what it was that made all the sore legs and feet worth it.
Aw girl when you got all emotional so did I🥺 I’ve done Irish dancing my whole life and still to this day it makes me so emotional and so proud to be irish💗
wow I remember watching this on tv back in 94 when it aired. I can't remember if it was on PBS here in the US but I do remember watching it. It may even have been on Pay Per View. We all sat and watched it. We may even have it recorded on VHS. I think I was 16 when it came out. Me and My sister are fourth generation in US from Ireland.
I saw this live back then, I was 17 and this definitely made me fall in love with the Irish folklore. I am Belgian from Polish descent but I feel a strong connection to your beautiful country, Amy, this music and dance awakened something in me. I also feel the goosebumps. Such an amazing act! One day, I will go to Ireland and I am sure I will have a wonderful time there. Thank you for this video.
You will cry and I saw it in person in new york in 1997. I loved that show in 1994.. the music dancing the whole show was incredible. How do they not. bang into each other?
She is adorable and so touching that she is visibly proud of what she has shown her American guy. I saw this too and was amazed. Never seen Riverdance live, but that opening choral performance by Kelly McMahon I have on download. It is so haunting. Kelly almost gave my Enya a run for her money. I'm half Scottish, but I also have some Irish in my ancestry too, what my dad told me about. His family were Scottish/Irish, descended from Highlanders. You have every right to be proud my dear. Would have been nice to have found a woman like you long ago.
I watched the VHS of the full show so many times, and eventually, my parents signed me up for Irish dancing lessons. Jean Butler was a huge inspiration for many of us. I once got to meet Colin Dunne and take a workshop from him. Riverdance sparked a fire in me that continues to this day. I lived and breathed Irish dance for more than a decade. Thank you for sharing this video and history with us.
Ah the 1990s in the Eurovision when even when Ireland didn’t want to win the bloody thing we kept winning. I’ve not watched this in years but I watched it live because it was the thing people did(and still do) in Ireland. It’s the Eurovision to start the summer and the rose of Tralee to end the summer. As I said I’d not watched the performance but just watched the performance by watching your video and that pause at the end before the crowd erupts is still as good as it was live. I know this Eurovision is remembered for riverdance but the song Ireland won with “rock and roll kids” was IMO the best Irish winner. So, I’ve rambled on but my main point was thanks for a trip down memory lane.
Aw God Gerry Ryan 😪 God rest his soul 🙏 I remember this first time round (I was 15, I'm so old lol) I cried my eyes out ans every time I watch it the samw thing happens. God we really do have a magic about us 🇮🇪
From Canada and we love them too! Amy, thanks for your intro describing the competition and such, it helped put more of the picture together. Saw this many times on video, love it and so moving. Michael is beyond words as he comes leaping out. The whole performance put together so well! An unforgettable moment in time.
Riverdance was an extraordinary experience. The rhythms and melancholy of the music, the stunning precision of the dancing. My emotions and reactions completely resonate with yours. Great video.
I was at a hotel miles from home, when this first came on the TV screen. I was speechless throughout the program. I have never had my Mothers side of the family (Irish) absolutely pull on my DNA! I was an amazing feeling from generations ago, calling hard to me.
I remember too. I was 16 years old. ESC it's a tradition we watch every year. I ve been to show Lord of the dance in Stuttgart. Amazing.. Greetings from Germany.
Amy, I think I know how you feel. The music and dance affects me in much the same way. I was tearing up before you were while watching. My grandfather was born in Ireland and came to Canada. I never knew him, as he had passed away several years before I was born, but I felt the Irish heritage in my blood. Any time I heard Irish music my feet would start to twitch and tap. I finally took a trip to Ireland in September of 2017 and as we flew toward Dublin I got the feeling that I was home. You are so lucky to have grown up there. I can't wait to go back. 💖💚
Oh damn, I remember how big the Riverdance and Michael Flatley was back in the day even here in Finland. But I haven't heard/seen it anywhere in ages :( What might be hard to understand for people who didn't see this "live" on tv, is that nothing like this was around at the time. These days there are so many synchronized dance groups doing absolutely insane things, since they have built upon the success of others and have unlimited access to material. Back then you had none of those resources unless you actually travelled, funded and trained on site (or had teachers fly in for few hectic days of non-stop teaching) Overnight it become a hit in here, and it was everywhere and everyone was talking about it. I used to be a dancer myself at the time (although in ballroom dancing) and there were a lot of people doing "riverdancing" at practice and warmups :D ps. The main female performer looks like a faerie queen
River dance was the first show I ever saw live as a kid it was amazing! I'm Australian with Irish decent my father's side it made my heart burst with pride 🇮🇪
This is a great reaction video. You two have a lovely genuine relationship. I always feel emotional watching that clip. The music, dancing, choreography, everything about it was outstanding. Makes me feel proud of my Irish heritage. I always wanted to see the show live but never got to see it.
This performance always makes me emotional. Its perfect from start to finish. Imagine how much dedication it took to get so many people do the exact same thing at the exact same time. Ireland went from 0-100 in about 3 mins
When you're invested in your passions, it's okay to cry. Hell, I literally cry whenever I surprise myself through the stuff I write sometimes. LOL! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
My wife and I saw this on tv on our way out of the apartment in the late 90's in Portland Oregon. I was awestruck. Later I saw 2 performances of Lord of the Dance in Portland, the first one was with Michael Flatley, second with the second troop was just as awesome. I believe they had 3 troops touring. I believe Portland had about 10 sellouts for both shows. There were lines and lines of people waiting to get tickets. My eyes still get wet from watching these performances. This was the one that started it. Incredible!
Michael Flatley was born in Detroit, but his family moved to south Chicago when he was two months old. He's about a year and a half younger than me. He grew up a couple miles south of where I was born and lived (near Marquette Park, on the SW side of Chicago). In 2001, he bought a mansion near Fermoy, in NE County Cork. Strangely enough, my family emigrated from Ireland to the US from Midleton, in the SE of Cork, which is now about a half hour's drive from his place.
I was lucky enough to see Riverdance with Michael Flatley when the show came to Chicago. We knew how amazing it was from its New York run and we got tickets like almost a year ahead. We were not disappointed. The whole show is just beyond belief good and so beautiful and completely mesmerizing. Thanks for triggering a wonderful memory.
I'm late to the game, I didn't know about Riverdance till after it was a full stage show. I love this clip of the original intermission show. Thank you for sharing your love & knowledge of it.
I remember watching this. We were avid Eurovision fans in my house. But yea I just remember watching this, absolutely glued to it and it was just incredible! Also was so exciting to see Irish dancing be taken to a whole new level cause for a while I think it was dying out a bit. And then Riverdance came along and made it cool again and everyone wanted their kids to learn. A childhood friend of mine actually went on to be a principal dancer with the company for about 10 years or so. Riverdance is such an important part of irish culture now, it's fantastic and I think it makes many of us just as emotional and proud!
This was absolutely amazing reminds me of back home in Nova Scotia. We are also known for our dancing and music. I teared up as well as I miss home very much. Thank you for sharing with us I had goose bumps the whole time. ❤🇨🇦❤🇨🇦
I remember sitting as a family (one of 8 siblings) and my mum and dad, we seen this on the TV, and not one of us moved, no drinks, no eating, no Pee breaks, lol. We were all so glued to the TV for the whole time. It was so bloody brilliant!!! ❤❤ you cry girl!!! It was amazing!!!
Another Great River dance Performance happened spontaneously on "Father Ted" - in a caravan, led by Graham Norton-Flatley. Practically the same as this.
I'm nearly 70 years old and a retired comic with a benefit show tomorrow. When I get nervous I watch Riverdance videos to remember who I am and what my genetics and culture have produced. I got this.... !
I remember seeing this live with my whole family, watching the Eurovision. Went bloody mental when this finished. Never had seen anything like it, and I had learned Irish dance as a kid.
This is the epitome of timeless cultural brilliance. Hopefully people will continue to be inspired by this for many centuries to come. Class and talent are for ever.
I saw Riverdance when it came to Belfast in ‘95 with my parents and we were BLOWN AWAY!!!! Just like you every time I watch that video it gets me as well. Jean Butler just seems to “ float” through the air!!!
My aunt was part of the troupe! So proud of her and still get goosebumps.
So was my sons Irish Dance instructor
Katie McMahon is a close family friend!
What’s her name? 😍
Awesome
I’m very close to someone who has met me several times.
That time the half time performance stole the entire show!
There was a standing ovation from all of the nations involved in 1994.
I remember watching this as it happened. Usually the Eurovision interval act is something to be endured, or avoided as you go and put the kettle on or something, but this just blew my girlfriend and I away. At the end when the applause broke out we stood and clapped as well and just looked at each other like we'd seen something extraordinary. It really was a special moment of live tv that was totally unexpected.
I was ironing my Hubbies work trousers, and burned them as I was just like WOW, then I was like Oh Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo lol, xxx
Me too and I and my sister were blown away.
I was visiting the UK for the first time, and the family I was visiting had the telly on, but the dinner timing had gone off and there were little kids to feed, so I ended up wandering into the lounge on my own toward the end of this and I was confused/in awe and when I went to tell them about it in the other room. Everyone was like, but it's a singing show, who was dancing then? but it was over. and in those days, over was over. so all I could say was, 'tap dancers, like, a lot of tap dancers, but no singing!"
This one and Lumen from the next year are tied for my favourite. Lumen is amazingly beautiful and gives me chills just as much as Riverdance does, and also features the every lovely Moya Brennan, as well as three of the other Brennan sisters, Deirdre, Olive, and Brídín.
@@brinmoody Well, there is also "Love, Love, Peace, Peace" and I personally have really fond memories of the flashmop, too.
I still cry EVER time I see River dance. Its stunning, amazing, fantastic. Brings such a pride to Ireland.
This was, simply, one of the greatest things I have EVER seen on live TV.
Me too
Not gonna lie....when they all finally came out I had tears in my eyes! Beautiful culture, beautiful people, beautiful language. ❤️ Ireland!
I'm from Brazil 🇧🇷 and get a tad emotional every time I watch this. One word: MAGICAL ❤
Así es cuando ves esta belleza de música y baile ,no puedes evitar emocionarte , también amo la música de Brasil desde siempre.
So proud of Ireland and its culture!!
Ya I'm irish and proud to be it
@@gretaward4607 She should show him the live version of Galway Girl. I love that song and I don't know a single American that knows it but it. I don't know why it would do very well on the US country charts. ua-cam.com/video/SNs0vKDvs0g/v-deo.html
Go raibh míle maith agat.
I'm Irish American, and even as a member of the diaspora, there's something about this performance that moves my heart. ☘️ My chest swells with love and pride for my ancestors and our people. 💖
Still the most perfect dancing ever seen...
Yep, just wave after wave of goosebumps.
True that
So agree so in sync not a step put out of place . My sisters use to Irish dance when they were teens
David Howard so in sync not a step out of place . I know as my sisters was a state champion Irish dancer here in Australia
I remember this Eurovision. Still the best interval performance ever and what a legacy it created. The music, the dancing, it was incredible.
I remember watching this from England.. and we had no idea it was going to be this great, thinking it was going to be very traditional. I literally had waves of goosebumps at each stage. Both then and now. It was one of those tv moments that make you want to stand up and cheer in your own front room. So good!
I love Riverdance , it is sooo coool . Greetings from Sweden. And I really would like to visit Ireland sometime .
Sweet ☘️
You can stay in my very city centred house built by my great grandfather.
🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮🇨🇮☘☘☘☘
Flatley was such a Diva on the Riverdance production , but he was driven , passionate , and dedicated to his craft and the show and Riverdance was absolutely HUMUNGUSLY HUGE the world over and really did show Irish dancing and to some extent Irish culture to the entire planet , a lot of cast and those associated with the show made a good living doing what they loved with this show and that is no bad thing .It was a total cultural phenomenon.
I remember when this came out. I fell in love with Butler! The way she would float along the floor, effortless in her jumps! She was grace personified!
Have a wee tear in my eye re-watching this great moment,something to be treasured by not only by we Irish but by all of the people around the world.
yes. I'm from the states, and Michael Flatley was my childhood. my parents introduced me to Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. I liked Feet of Flames as well. I'm still so sad that I never got to see him perform. 💔 I've always loved tap dancing and would dance around the house lol (not well, but yeah 🙃). I'm practicing tap right now, since the place I'm staying at is all hardwood floors 😛. getting better at it, which is cool.
I am an English fellah and I remember seeing this live. I was fucking blown away by it. Still am. Just awesome.
The fact that we presented this, as the little Island at the edge of Europe, and how world famous it is now, is amazing. I am lucky to have my sister be apart of the Riverdance troupe. This truly put us on the international stage.
I literally cried and got goosebumps watching this all over again for what is about the millionth time. My best friend growing up, her parents are from Ireland (her mom grew up here in the US from a young age). I remember watching the Riverdance VHS in '95 at her house and being absolutely IN LOVE with it from the very start. Since then, I've had always wanted to do Irish Dance but my parents didn't know how to get me started in it. In 1997, when my friend and I were in 5th grade, we did "Irish Dancing" to music from Riverdance for our school talent show. My mom even made us matching outfits for it. People loved it and we even had parents who grew up doing Irish Dance come up to us and tell us that we looked like we actually knew what we were doing (went didn't lol). Now that I'm an adult and a parent, I tried tirelessly to get my daughter into Irish Dance to no avail until she saw a teacher Irish Dance for Paddy's Day when she was in preschool. She's now 8 years old and has been dancing since she was 5 years old. I finally pursued my dream of doing Irish Dance 2 years ago and now at 35 I love it more than ever. I still get chills listening to the music and seeing others dancing. I love being able to feel that much closer to my heritage, which I've always been so proud of to begin with. Thank you for posting this because it brought back such great memories of growing up, the friendship I had, my grandma (her parents were from Malin Head and Ennis and she was very proud of her Irish heritage) and seeing how much this touches you still to this day is such a beautiful thing.
I've watched this video 4 times in the last two days, not this actual channel but on various channels and it reduces me to tears every time. Jean Butler is ethereal. She floats like gravity has no effect on her.
Riverdance and Jean Butler are the reason I started Irish dancing at 8, and I only fully retired 3 years ago at 31. Irish dancing will forever have my heart and just brings me so much closer to my Irish heritage from all the way in New Zealand ☘️
Hello fellow Kiwi! I would love to learn how to do it, though I fear due to me being 28 I think it's too late for me. But I love watching irish dancing, it really shows the hard work and talent people put into it
@@Kreacher97 it's never too late! Go for it, if anything it's excellent excercise and hobby to pick up
@@orls9068 awesome, now just gotta find a tutor 😁 pretty tricky in NZ
@@orls9068Yeah! My advice too! Go for it! I started at age 23 and I'm still dancing at 35. No, I will never be as good as Riverdance-pro's or other showdancers, but when I consider I expected to have to quit after a few lessons as it would prove a bit too intense at that age, I consider myself extremely lucky that I made it to the third level (of basically the 4 there are in Commission dancing) by now. No, I'm certainly struggling at the third level, but wow... I came from so far away.
Oh wait, I forgot: the oldest dancer in my class is way in her fifties (or even in her sixties, can't remember).
Me too, just a little later in life ;) Landed on someone who (most likely) posted an illegal copied part of Jean Butlers' Masterclass of Irish dance. That was what got me looking for a school...
my dad is Michael McGlynn, who created ANÚNA, and sometimes mentions when he did this performance and how stressful it was lmao 😂
Wow, cool! But yeah I'd say it was 😂
Anùna just brought everyone to complete awe and silence when this began. I hope their amazing contribution wasn't overshadowed by Jean and Michaels performance. ❤
Are you serious? If so, respect to your dad. Well, respect to McGlynn regardless of whether he's really your dad or not, heh.
@hoon_sol I just told him about this comment, he says thank you! He's always complaining about people not listening to his music haha 😅
And that is why he is known as The Lord Of The Dance. Absolutely amazing. I would sit and watch these all day with you Amy. I love Irish dancing.
This clip always makes me want to cry. It’s watching history which always blows me away. That bit when the chorus dance begins always gets me. It’s truly stunning. I listen to the full soundtrack regularly and got inspired to learn some Irish dancing because of it. I was super young when it came out and it was groundbreaking.
I saw this in Australia, probably not live but we like all of those millions of viewers were not expecting anything like this and I still get chills and tears in my eyes & I'm an Aussie so be proud😘
This is the only interval act of any Eurovision show in all the country’s that had it that has had a standing ovation which lead on to its own show. I saw it live and as an Irish dancer myself was blown away with this performance. As a result Irish dancing has spread world wide. Wonderful to keep going back to it.☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️
We didn't even compete and we won, what other country could say that 😂🇮🇪🇮🇪
1994 was our ‘three in a row’ win when Charlie McGettigan and Paul Harrington won with ‘Rock and Roll Kids’.
We won again that year with "rock and roll kids".
@terry oneill There is no country called " the free state".
@terry oneill okay... But I was just talking about the eurovision. So, no need to get into all that.
@terry oneill Ireland ( my country so I would know) was called " the free state" between 1922 and 1937 when the irish constitution was first signed into being. Anyone who now calls our country that is showing their ignorance.
I watched this and was blown away the power was staggering, you must be so proud to be Irish and you can even pronounce their names!
Its so sweet to see how much your husband loves you.
The second of silence at the end and then the roar of the crowd! I'll never forget seeing that show.
I was a kid then, it was a moment in time you could never forget.
Wish i was there! Great moment.
My baby girl was 3 months old and just was transfixed by it .
Its otherworldy
Irish dancing is like creating music and flying at the same time😍
I remember watching it back then... I remember the excitement... I remember being moved almost to tears during that tracking shot of the moving feet in perfect synchronicity... I remember my wife and me jumping on our feet and clapping by the end of the performance as whole of Europe did... Unforgettable !
Great reaction Guys, thanks 🤗. I watched this live and remember being completely entranced. A perfect marriage of Irish Culture and modern showmanship, presented at the perfect time and place. I can assure you that that audience response had Never been seen before at the Song Contest !
I cried my little eyes out when I saw this in 1994.I was moving to America with my little newborn baby girl and my mother bought the American version of the video forme to take with me. just over a year later we returned the seeds of the Celtic tiger had begun.magical and still makes me emotional.
Watched this live and was blown away! Will never forget it.
I watched it live and looking back the whole singing contest was really the warm up for river dance. Should have just stopped the show and given all the points to Michael,Jean and the rest. Still now utterly breathtaking and Impossible for an Englishman to understand how you can move your feet so fast.
I was 7 in ‘94 when I saw this for the first time. I remember literally staring in amazement because I had NEVER seen anything so cool. I felt connected to it all the way over in the US. I started Irish dance 11 years after that at 18. Every time I see Riverdance I fall even more in love with it and I remember just what it was that made all the sore legs and feet worth it.
Aw girl when you got all emotional so did I🥺 I’ve done Irish dancing my whole life and still to this day it makes me so emotional and so proud to be irish💗
You seem like a lovely, genuine, no-drama couple. Liked!
Thank you for bringing us into your little world i loved it. I loved how proud you are to be irish.
wow I remember watching this on tv back in 94 when it aired. I can't remember if it was on PBS here in the US but I do remember watching it. It may even have been on Pay Per View. We all sat and watched it. We may even have it recorded on VHS. I think I was 16 when it came out. Me and My sister are fourth generation in US from Ireland.
I saw this live back then, I was 17 and this definitely made me fall in love with the Irish folklore. I am Belgian from Polish descent but I feel a strong connection to your beautiful country, Amy, this music and dance awakened something in me. I also feel the goosebumps. Such an amazing act! One day, I will go to Ireland and I am sure I will have a wonderful time there. Thank you for this video.
You will cry and I saw it in person in new york in 1997. I loved that show in 1994.. the music dancing the whole show was incredible. How do they not. bang into each other?
I remember watching this performance back in 1994 it was mind blowing 😱😱😱 I’ve seen Lord of the dance too it was just as mind blowing 😱😱
She is adorable and so touching that she is visibly proud of what she has shown her American guy. I saw this too and was amazed. Never seen Riverdance live, but that opening choral performance by Kelly McMahon I have on download. It is so haunting. Kelly almost gave my Enya a run for her money. I'm half Scottish, but I also have some Irish in my ancestry too, what my dad told me about. His family were Scottish/Irish, descended from Highlanders. You have every right to be proud my dear. Would have been nice to have found a woman like you long ago.
Everyone who watched this live, including myself, knew they’d witnessed something special.
I watched the VHS of the full show so many times, and eventually, my parents signed me up for Irish dancing lessons. Jean Butler was a huge inspiration for many of us. I once got to meet Colin Dunne and take a workshop from him. Riverdance sparked a fire in me that continues to this day. I lived and breathed Irish dance for more than a decade. Thank you for sharing this video and history with us.
I've not seen this in a long time. I did not expect to cry!
Ah the 1990s in the Eurovision when even when Ireland didn’t want to win the bloody thing we kept winning. I’ve not watched this in years but I watched it live because it was the thing people did(and still do) in Ireland. It’s the Eurovision to start the summer and the rose of Tralee to end the summer. As I said I’d not watched the performance but just watched the performance by watching your video and that pause at the end before the crowd erupts is still as good as it was live. I know this Eurovision is remembered for riverdance but the song Ireland won with “rock and roll kids” was IMO the best Irish winner. So, I’ve rambled on but my main point was thanks for a trip down memory lane.
Yes it was costing Ireland a fortune every time they won.
Aw God Gerry Ryan 😪 God rest his soul 🙏
I remember this first time round (I was 15, I'm so old lol) I cried my eyes out ans every time I watch it the samw thing happens.
God we really do have a magic about us 🇮🇪
I remember watching this amazing performance 20 years ago & had goosebumps standing on my arms
I was in college when Riverdance was first released. I have the VHS tape to this day. I'm going to watch it again tonight. Thanks for the memory.
From Canada and we love them too! Amy, thanks for your intro describing the competition and such, it helped put more of the picture together. Saw this many times on video, love it and so moving. Michael is beyond words as he comes leaping out. The whole performance put together so well! An unforgettable moment in time.
Riverdance was an extraordinary experience. The rhythms and melancholy of the music, the stunning precision of the dancing. My emotions and reactions completely resonate with yours. Great video.
I remember watching this live - I’d have been about 18 - and was absolutely blown away! I’d never seen anything like it on Eurovision
So beautiful, but can't imagine being able to move that fast with such precision!❤❤
It must play havoc with their knees eventually ...
@@franl155 Somehow, it doesn't! But you can always spot an Irish dancer by the size of their calves ;)
Omg ! I remember watching this live, chills all through me. Much love from Wales.
Probably to this day the greatest moment in Eurovision history. You can always trust the Irish to knock it out the park.
I was at a hotel miles from home, when this first came on the TV screen. I was speechless throughout the program. I have never had my Mothers side of the family (Irish) absolutely pull on my DNA! I was an amazing feeling from generations ago, calling hard to me.
I'll never forget watching this live when I was 13....always makes me homesick ☘
I remember too. I was 16 years old. ESC it's a tradition we watch every year. I ve been to show Lord of the dance in Stuttgart. Amazing.. Greetings from Germany.
Amy, I think I know how you feel. The music and dance affects me in much the same way. I was tearing up before you were while watching. My grandfather was born in Ireland and came to Canada. I never knew him, as he had passed away several years before I was born, but I felt the Irish heritage in my blood. Any time I heard Irish music my feet would start to twitch and tap. I finally took a trip to Ireland in September of 2017 and as we flew toward Dublin I got the feeling that I was home. You are so lucky to have grown up there. I can't wait to go back. 💖💚
I grew up with the 1995 Riverdance vhs, such an experience cannot be replicated easily.
Oh damn, I remember how big the Riverdance and Michael Flatley was back in the day even here in Finland. But I haven't heard/seen it anywhere in ages :(
What might be hard to understand for people who didn't see this "live" on tv, is that nothing like this was around at the time. These days there are so many synchronized dance groups doing absolutely insane things, since they have built upon the success of others and have unlimited access to material. Back then you had none of those resources unless you actually travelled, funded and trained on site (or had teachers fly in for few hectic days of non-stop teaching)
Overnight it become a hit in here, and it was everywhere and everyone was talking about it. I used to be a dancer myself at the time (although in ballroom dancing) and there were a lot of people doing "riverdancing" at practice and warmups :D
ps. The main female performer looks like a faerie queen
River dance was the first show I ever saw live as a kid it was amazing! I'm Australian with Irish decent my father's side it made my heart burst with pride 🇮🇪
This is a great reaction video. You two have a lovely genuine relationship. I always feel emotional watching that clip. The music, dancing, choreography, everything about it was outstanding. Makes me feel proud of my Irish heritage. I always wanted to see the show live but never got to see it.
I went to school with Colm and Cormac Ó Shea in Scoil Olibhéir :) Their mother was Ban Ní Shé, our Irish dancing teacher :) Good to see them in this.
This performance always makes me emotional. Its perfect from start to finish. Imagine how much dedication it took to get so many people do the exact same thing at the exact same time. Ireland went from 0-100 in about 3 mins
This is so emotional to watch. Their talent and athleticism is amazing!
When you're invested in your passions, it's okay to cry. Hell, I literally cry whenever I surprise myself through the stuff I write sometimes. LOL! ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Watched this as it happened, and I still get goosebumps all these years later - it was amazing ☘️
My wife and I saw this on tv on our way out of the apartment in the late 90's in Portland Oregon. I was awestruck. Later I saw 2 performances of Lord of the Dance in Portland, the first one was with Michael Flatley, second with the second troop was just as awesome. I believe they had 3 troops touring. I believe Portland had about 10 sellouts for both shows. There were lines and lines of people waiting to get tickets. My eyes still get wet from watching these performances. This was the one that started it. Incredible!
Jean butler is amazing. End of story. Later on Michael Patrick Gallagher became the lead male. He is my irish dance teacher now and I’m honored.
Gives me chills every time I watch it! Stunning!!
I almost started crying too (and I'm from Sweden). Haven't seen this in a long time. But it really brought back memories.
I was about 14 when i saw it, and I even knew back then it was something special
I also watched this back in 1994 thousands of times and I am from Vienna, Austria! Still loving it.
Michael Flatley was born in Detroit, but his family moved to south Chicago when he was two months old. He's about a year and a half younger than me. He grew up a couple miles south of where I was born and lived (near Marquette Park, on the SW side of Chicago). In 2001, he bought a mansion near Fermoy, in NE County Cork. Strangely enough, my family emigrated from Ireland to the US from Midleton, in the SE of Cork, which is now about a half hour's drive from his place.
I was lucky enough to see Riverdance with Michael Flatley when the show came to Chicago. We knew how amazing it was from its New York run and we got tickets like almost a year ahead. We were not disappointed. The whole show is just beyond belief good and so beautiful and completely mesmerizing. Thanks for triggering a wonderful memory.
I'm late to the game, I didn't know about Riverdance till after it was a full stage show. I love this clip of the original intermission show. Thank you for sharing your love & knowledge of it.
There's also 'Lord of the Dance' which was created by Michael Flatley.
Jean Butler has always reminded me of Nicole Kidman with the movements of a deer. She could float and jump like nobody’s business.
I remember watching this. We were avid Eurovision fans in my house. But yea I just remember watching this, absolutely glued to it and it was just incredible! Also was so exciting to see Irish dancing be taken to a whole new level cause for a while I think it was dying out a bit. And then Riverdance came along and made it cool again and everyone wanted their kids to learn. A childhood friend of mine actually went on to be a principal dancer with the company for about 10 years or so. Riverdance is such an important part of irish culture now, it's fantastic and I think it makes many of us just as emotional and proud!
I never tire of watching this. Pure brilliance and beyond.
I remember watching this on the night , I still get emotional and I am not Irish.
Still gives me goosebumps every time. Seeing the show live some years later in Sweden was so awesome. And the music is so great too
As an Irish dancer this looks so hard and I could probably never do this but it’s so cool😂
Goosebumps every time, I watched it live in my living room as a 12 year old with my family.. Jaw dropping. ❤️❤️
This was absolutely amazing reminds me of back home in Nova Scotia. We are also known for our dancing and music. I teared up as well as I miss home very much.
Thank you for sharing with us I had goose bumps the whole time.
❤🇨🇦❤🇨🇦
I swear I get exactly the same as you when I watch it. Very emotional very proud of my country
I remember sitting as a family (one of 8 siblings) and my mum and dad, we seen this on the TV, and not one of us moved, no drinks, no eating, no Pee breaks, lol. We were all so glued to the TV for the whole time. It was so bloody brilliant!!! ❤❤ you cry girl!!! It was amazing!!!
Another Great River dance Performance happened spontaneously on "Father Ted" - in a caravan, led by Graham Norton-Flatley. Practically the same as this.
I'm nearly 70 years old and a retired comic with a benefit show tomorrow. When I get nervous I watch Riverdance videos to remember who I am and what my genetics and culture have produced. I got this.... !
I remember seeing this live with my whole family, watching the Eurovision. Went bloody mental when this finished. Never had seen anything like it, and I had learned Irish dance as a kid.
This is the epitome of timeless cultural brilliance. Hopefully people will continue to be inspired by this for many centuries to come. Class and talent are for ever.
I remember watching this in the "intermission" of the ESC and being absolutely blown away by it... and it isn't even my kinda thing.
Everything about that performance is magical, the music at the beginning gives me the chills.
I was in my 20s when they debuted it. I was blown away by it. They were amazing.
Riverdance is the reason I started dancing. Now, my daughter, my son and I all dance for a company who perform but not feis. Is brea liom ag rince!
I love watching you guys. I live near Seattle but was born and raised Kilkenny. I know what you mean when watching Riverdance. It makes me cry.
I saw Riverdance when it came to Belfast in ‘95 with my parents and we were BLOWN AWAY!!!! Just like you every time I watch that video it gets me as well. Jean Butler just seems to “ float” through the air!!!