My Irish heritage has been a very important part of my life for as long as I can remember. And an important element of this is culture: language, music and dance. As the current Language Manager (Treórai na Gaeilge) of two branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Craobh Úll Mor and Kiloran Clancy Whelan), the Irish language is the newest cultural aspect to become part of my life. I grew up surrounded by Irish music. But, as the subject of this article, I have chosen to discuss the third characteristic of Irish culture: dance. I was brought up hearing the stories of my Aunt Maisie who was an All-Ireland step dancing champion as a young woman. When I was young, it was hoped that some of her talent as a champion dancer would pass on to me and so I was enrolled in an Irish dancing class in 1968. Unfortunately, her extraordinary abilities did not greatly influence my own . However, my interest and love for Irish dancing could not be stifled and to this day it remains a part of my life. I continue to enjoy the monthly céilthe held at the New York Irish Center, sponsored by the Craobh Úll Mor branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. My girlfriend's daughter, Caitlin Ahr, is one of the top ten North American Irish step dance champions for the years 2002 and 2003. She has danced in world championship competitions and various other step dance competitions nationally and internationally for over ten years and is on track to test and receive his TCRG, the Irish Step Dance Teacher Certification. While it may not be me in the spotlight and on stage performing Irish dance, it has always been an extremely important part of my life and being a history buff, the history of dance Irish inspired me to study it. It is, ...... middle of paper ...... formed with tours including the Chieftains in the 1980s. In May 1989, Flatley set a Guinness Book World Record with a typing speed of 28 keystrokes per second. Then, in 1994, he created and choreographed Riverdance, a seven-minute intermission for the Eurovision Song Contest. Riverdance was an instant success and was developed into a full-length show. Other hit shows followed, including Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames. The success of these shows opened the world of Irish dancing to many people and led hundreds of children to take Irish dancing lessons. Today, thousands of young people participate in Irish step dancing. Schools can be found all over the world. The popularity he enjoys today is a far cry from the interest I had in him as a young boy. But the force of attraction is always the same: the love of Irish dance was, is and always will be part of our heritage..