The “Olympics” of Irish dancing is set to attract thousands of elite dancers and supporters from around the world this week.
The 44th World Irish Dancing Championships open in London tomorrow and with more than 5,000 competitors battling it out to be crowned champions, there will be wigs, sequins, fake tan and high kicks galore.
Dancers will compete in solo, céilí, choreography and dance drama categories in a variety of age groups.
The host , An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha, has estimated that up to 15,000 relatives, friends, teachers and Irish dancing fans will descend on the city for the event at London Hilton Metropole.
Boris Johnson, mayor of London, said the event is a "vital boost to London's economy".
It is the first time the Irish dance extravaganza has been held inthe city.
“It is brilliant news that this globally admired and historic aspect of Irish culture is dancing right to our doorstep in London,” he said.
Throughout the eight days of competition, champions will strive to defend titles and new ones will be crowned.
The organisers said spectators could expect “increasing athleticism” from this year’s dancers.
Dedicated dancers, many of whom started dancing at a young age, have spent months and some even years, preparing for their few minutes on the world stage.
Megan Brady, 18, from Belfast, said she missed out on her school prom for the event.
The A-level student said it was an act of commitment her friends found hard to fathom.
“They thought it was mad,” she said.
“My friends find it very hard to understand dancing. This year I missed my (school) formal for dancing, so you have to be really committed.
As well as practising their moves, dancers also do extra exercise such as skipping, running and weights to build up fitness and strength.
Irish dancing has attracted controversy in recent years due to the costumes becoming ever more sparkly and dancers wearing fake tan, make-up and wigs.
She said the glamour enhances dancers’ confidence, and for many dancers it feels like they are “taking on a different persona”.
“I find it really, really annoying, because people just think it’s just the make-up and the tan- people don’t realise that dancers are actually like athletes.”
Student David Bassett, 22, from Southampton, will compete in the senior men’s category and said people outside Irish dancing’s inner circle do not grasp the scale and prestige of the world championships.
“I think, unless you’re an Irish dancer, I don’t think people really understand. When I’m explaining it to people, I try to compare it to our version of the Olympics so they get some perspective on the size of it and how hard it is,” he said.
“It does take over a lot. I work my life around it. I have to request certain lectures so I can go to class in the evening. The same with my shifts at work, I have to base it all around dancing.”
The championships will run from April 13th-20th.
PA