Pub GuideMichael Flatley
date of birth: July 16, 1958
place of birth: Chicago, Illinois
Born in Chicago to Irish parents who had immigrated to the American midwest prior to his birth, Michael Flatley was the second of five children. Educated in a household that highly valued Irish heritage and culture, Flatley was immersed into the world of traditional Irish dance and music from an early age, and pursued it vigorously by the time he entered his teenage years. Apart from being the first non-European to win the All-Ireland World Championship for his dancing skills, he is a gifted flute player and talented boxer.
Throughout the late seventies and early eighties, Flatley toured with Irish traditional music groups such as the Green Fields of America and The Chieftans. With his career on the up, Flatley joined forces with Irish musician Bill Whelan to choreograph the original Riverdance, which first took the whole world by storm with a brief interval act in the 1994 broadcast of Eurovision, before becoming a massive hit on the stages of the United States, Ireland, and abroad. After becoming a worldwide star on Riverdance, Flatley left to produce, direct, and choreograph Lord of the Dance, becoming the highest paid dancer in the world in 1999.
With accolades ranging from Irish America Magazine, Guinness Book of Records, and various Irish organizations, Flatley had not only become a world ambassador of Irish dance, but he has broadened the horizons of Irish culture abroad. Divorced from his first wife, Flatley currently lives with current wife Niamh O'Brien and their son Michael in an 18th century mansion in County Cork, and continues to spread Irish traditional dance and music abroad, starring most recently in NBC's hit show Superstars of Dance.
Michael FlatleyLatest News
- Michael Flatley, Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley play for “Drive for Dads” cancer research charity
- Michael Flatley, Martin Sheen and Saoirse Ronan support Irish job creation - VIDEO
- My neighbor was the first Michael Flatley - long before “Riverdance”
- Michael Flatley sells his first painting for €5,600
- Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’ show at Cliffs of Moher canceled
- Emotional Michael Flatley opens Irish America Hall of Fame
- Michael Flatley considers new reality show
- Michael Flatley 'Lord of the Dance' goes 3D for new dance movie - VIDEO
- Irish America Hall of Fame: Michael Flatley
- Michael Flatley on the magic of 'Lord Of The Dance' 3D - SEE VIDEO
- ‘Lord of the Dance’ Michael Flatley lets it all hang out
- Michael Flatley’s ‘Lord of the Dance’ now in 3D
- Michael Flatley bids farewell to Ireland
- Michael Flatley is the top lord again
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