Words by Katie Hagan.
Next month, Éireann by A Taste of Ireland will have its debut run in London’s West End from 28–31 August 2025 at the Peacock Theatre, as part of its global tour.
Using Irish dance and song, Éireann will take audiences on a journey throughout Ireland’s complex history – from ancient mythology and Viking conquests to the Famine, the Easter Rising and beyond – in a celebration and reimagining of Irish dance and culture.
But why is it important, now more than ever, to be stretching what Irish dance can be in the 21st century? How can the form attract new audiences and dancers? And why is it important for Irish culture to be celebrated and communicated through dance?
Éireann’s beginnings
A Taste of Ireland is a world-renowned dance experience that has toured all over the world. Creating productions that are love letters to Ireland, A Taste of Ireland exemplifies everything we know and understand about Irish dance – music, energy, storytelling – and all that is in-between.
In creating Éireann, the company wanted to take what audiences love about A Taste of Ireland and push it further, to dig deeper into Irish history and myths, and tell these stories with modern choreography, immersive visuals and music. The result is a work that mixes, fuses and experiments with tradition and new ideas.
Audiences can, then, expect plenty of energy, cheeky Irish humour and roaring live music. The cast and creative team have spent months finding ways to blend classical Irish footwork with contemporary movement and live vocals, in order to create an experience that makes it feel like the audience and cast are dancing through history together.
This is achieved through big ensemble numbers, but also intimate moments with just one or two dancers on stage so audiences can see every tiny movement. These moments have been carefully considered so that audiences walk out of the theatre feeling like they’ve witnessed something that truly changes their perspective on Irish dance and culture.
Telling Ireland’s story through dance
Ireland’s story is full of hardship, rebellion and hope. Dance, as a non-verbal artform, achieves or fulfils something that words often cannot. When watching Irish dance, there’s this incredible sense of release when a dancer hammers out a reel that’s been passed down for generations.
The staging of Éireann comes at a time where it feels like people are craving tangible connection, whether that be to their roots, or to where they come from. As Irish dance is rooted in community and resilience, performing these stories, especially ones about famine and uprising and courage, feels more relevant than ever.
With Éireann, A Taste of Ireland shows how Irish dance isn’t stuck in the past; it’s a living, breathing language that can carry all these stories forward in a visceral way. And audiences can sense all of this in the steps, the rhythm and the music.
What’s more, Éireann will showcase to younger generations — and dancers from other styles too — that Irish dance is evolving, being progressive and taking on new meanings, highlighting to the dancers of tomorrow that Irish dance, whilst stooped in tradition, is nonetheless a dynamic and experimental art form.
Bringing Éireann to life
A stellar line-up of dancers, directors and creatives are making Éireann possible. Brent Pace is at the helm directing, after touring the world with A Taste of Ireland and knowing Irish dance like the back of his hand. Reflecting on what the show means, Brent says:
“Éireann is more than just a dance show – it’s a real love letter to Ireland. We’ve poured our hearts into reimagining the power of Irish storytelling through movement, music and visuals.”
Co-director Ceili Moore is a world champion and has been with Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, bringing extensive knowledge and history of the art form. Charlie Galloway is doing musical direction after working with folk band Talisk.
Dancers include Gavin Shevlin, Julia O’Rourke, Alliyah O’Hare, Callum O’Neill, Cian Walsh and Clara Sheppard, with live musicians Megan McGinley and Aaron O’Grady. Together, they bring the stage to life with 100% energy.
With the choreography, live music, cast and creatives creating the perfect mix, the final product is a theatrical spectacle that honours the lyrical, rebellious spirit of Ireland — and redefines what Irish dance can be.
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Éireann will have its UK premiere and a limited run at the Peacock Theatre in London. Book your place here: Éireann by A Taste of Ireland – Peacock Theatre – Sadler’s Wells