Jigs and reels set tills alight

BY Paddy O'Flaherty
BBC News

Competitors come from eastern Europe, Mexico and the US

Irish dancing is big business in Belfast.

The annual world championships has returned to the city's Waterfront Hall for the fourth time since 2000.

"That first year brought the city about £6m," said Dan Armstrong, Ulster Chairman of the Irish Dancing Commission.

"When we were last here two years ago the revenue was around £10m and we hope to top that this year," he said.

With nearly 5,000 competitors accompanied by family, teachers and supporters, the week-long championships are good news for local hotels.

"There's hardly a hotel room to be had within ten or fifteen miles of Belfast," said Dan.

Irish dancing is now attracting a wider international following.

Anyone who's seen the shows just wants to be involved Mary Kay Heneghan

This year's championships will include competitors from eastern Europe, South Africa, Argentina and Mexico.

The new junior champions include Fiona Dargan from Rince na Tiarna School in Buffalo, New York.

Her teacher, Mary Kay Heneghan said: "Buffalo is a relatively small city but there are seven Irish dance schools there and each school has a hundred plus pupils.

"Anyone who's seen the shows just wants to be involved," she said.

"It's nothing to do with being Irish any more."