'' Riverdance '' is a theatrical show consisting mainly of traditional Irish music and dance . With a score composed by Bill Whelan , it originated as an interval performance act during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest , featuring Irish dancing champions Jean Butler , Michael Flatley and the vocal ensemble Anúna . Shortly afterwards , husband and wife production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty expanded it into a stage show , which opened in Dublin on 9 February 1995 . Since then , the show has visited over 450 venues worldwide and been seen by over 25 million people , making it one of the most successful dance productions in the world
1994 Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest 1994
Riverdance