Flatley to dance at Stormont

Concert to be held in Assembly building's grounds

The former star of Riverdance, which brought Irish dancing to the international stage, is to perform at a multi-million pound show at Stormont in Belfast.

Michael Flatley, who broke away from Riverdance to star in his own international box-office hit show, Lord of the Dance, announced the Northern date while on tour in Germany.

Michael Flatey will be joined by 100 dancers

The concert in the grounds of Northern Ireland's suspended assembly building on 29 July, is expected to attract an audience of 15,000.

Flatley, who is currently performing Feet of Flames in Frankfurt, said his Belfast concert would be based on Lord of the Dance and would feature around 100 dancers.

Two troupes from Lord of the Dance will dance simultaneously on one of the widest stages ever built.

Legs insured

Chicago-born Flatley said Belfast was chosen for the one-off production because of a promise he made to fans in Dublin.

"I've always promised to take the show back to Ireland and I'm delighted to have secured this date.

"It's probably going to be the finest show I've ever been involved with. It'll certainly be more spectacular," he said.

Flatley, whose legs are insured for $40m, will follow the footsteps of opera-singer Pavarotti and pianist Elton John who performed at Stormont after former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam gave the go-ahead for it to be used as an entertainment venue.