The story of Riverdance is the story of the emigrant's departure from Ireland, striking out into a new world overseas all the while keeping their Irish heritage alive particularly through the medium of song and dance.

This is a theme that has huge resonance with the initiative that is The Gathering Ireland 2013 which sees Ireland open its arms to its friends and family from all over the world, inviting them to Ireland to locally organised gatherings in villages, towns and cities throughout the country and throughout the entire year.

Having performed to audiences worldwide since 1995 it's only appropriate that Riverdance does its part to extend that invitation and to provide a welcome to all those considering making the journey to Ireland.

Riverdance - The Gathering will run from 15th to 21st July with a series of events designed for both the next generation of professional dancer intent on building a career in Irish dance ( a career that didn't exist to any great extent prior to the birth of Riverdance in 1994) but also for those who simply have a passion for the music and dance of Riverdance and of course Irish music and dance in general.

At noon on Sunday 21st July a spectacular sight and sound will emerge from the banks of the River Liffey where a chain of dancers will attempt to break the Guinness World Record currently set at 652 dancers in Nashville Tennessee. In a historic bid to bring the record home to Ireland dancers from around the world will form a continuous line over 1km long and dancing a special version of Riverdance .

Riverdance - The Gathering has something to offer to everyone and there is a selection of excellent tour packages available. Examples:

8 Night Self-Drive Tour of Ireland from EUR 549 pps

3 Night Dublin short break from EUR339 pps

For more information contact Tourism Ireland Tel: 011 463 1132 www.ireland.com

www.riverdance.com/the-gathering/

Tourism Ireland:

23 Eaton Road Telephone : +27 11 463 1132

Bryanston Facsimile: +27 11 463 1172

Johannesburg Email: tourismireland@dpgsa.co.za

South Africa website: Ireland.com