MONTREAL – Traditional Irish dancers from around the world have invaded the Palais des Congrès.
They’re hard to miss.
From their big artificial hair to the colourful costumes and at first glance, it seems to be all about the ‘bling’.
“The colours change, the designs change and certainly the bling has changed,” said Dearbhla Lennon, former professional dancer with Riverdance.
“When I was dancing there was not so much bling but it really follows the fashion trends.”
Traditional Irish dancing is about much more than appearance.
Most of the 5000 competitors currently in Montreal train as much as world class athletes.
“They practice 2, 3, 4 hours a day,” insisted Dearbhla.
“They work so, so hard to improve their quality of dancing and to them this is the Olympics of Irish dance!”
The traditional dance form focuses mostly on footwork.
Dancers compete either individually or in teams while accompanied by live musicians.
“Irish dancing is really different because we have 2 different types shoes,” said Alliyah O’Hara from England, who won the title of world champion in the under 12 category.
“Hard shoe which is all rhythm and light shoe which is more athletic.”
A group of girls from Boston hoping to make it to the podium told Global News their secret to success is nothing but hard work.
“It’s hard at first but once you get the hang of it it’s really fun!” said Maddie Ryan from Boston.
“Especially when you’re on a team,” said Ryan’s teammate Devin Mullaney.
“You want to work together really hard and the hard work pays off!”
Organizers are thrilled with the turn out.
The event has attracted an estimated 20,000 people, and it’s expected to generate millions of dollars for the city. It also gives young local talent a chance to win the world title.
“This is fantastic, particularly for my school here,” said Bernadette Short, “because we have lots of children who may never get the opportunity to travel to a world championship so we we’re really pleased to give that opportunity to our teams!”
And in case you wondered where the big bouncy curls come from, they’re rooted in history.
“Years ago in Ireland going to mass on a Sunday, children had their hair in curls because that was their Sunday best and a competition or a ‘Feis’ they call it usually would be held on a Sunday after mass,” said Lennon, who now works for the Irish Dance Commission.
So, to be true to tradition, most competitors wear a wig. It’s apparently more convenient and a lot less time-consuming than curling their own hair.
“It’s not our real hair” said Mary-Kate Ryan from Boston, “It’s better like this!”
The event runs till Sunday. Tickets are 30$ for adults and 20$ for seniors and children.
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