Irish Step Dancing in the Bronx

My father was from the north of Ireland, County Armagh.  My mother was from the Republic of Ireland, County Cavan.  Growing up in the Bronx, my three sisters and I took Irish step dancing lessons from one of the best, the McNiff School of Irish dancing.  Every Sunday after Mass we would get on the subway and travel to a remote part of the Bronx to take Irish step dancing lessons.  In the back room of a bar we would learn the traditional Irish steps.  My mother would catch up on the news from home and we would meet other Irish American kids from the Bronx.  It was neat.  Little did we realize it was forming and informing our way of life.

The winter of 1994 a cousin from Galway shared a VHS of the 1994 Eurovision competition.  This international music and entertainment review was huge in Ireland and Europe.  We never heard of it.

She put the eight minute, twenty second video on our VHS machine in our home and we were mesmerized.  We had never seen anything like it, nor ever since.  Riverdance was a phenomenon. 

The videotape brought us back to a time that was fun, magical and so very different from anything we had ever our neighbors had ever experienced.

Seeing the video in 1994 with Ireland winning the Eurovision competition was memorable and exciting.  Little did we know that the impact would be so far reaching and lasting.

The Riverdance Empire spans several countries and continents now.  It has long standing impact and influence.  It is gratifying to know that this snapshot of Irish culture has brought much joy and entertainment to many Americans. 

Here is the link to the video that made such an impact on our growing up in the Bronx:  Eurovision 1994 Interval Act-Riverdance.  I hope to hear what you think.  Please share your insights and opinions. Cheers!