Triumphant Michael Flatley lords it up after show finally staged

He was speaking after the 30th anniversary show at the 3Arena, formerly The Point, where "Riverdance" began, after weeks of bitter legal wrangling with a company that had been running the multi-million-euro tour.

He said: "Getting this show on has proved to be a mountain to climb, but it has made the night all the more special. I am grateful to all our dancers, cast and crew, my entire team, and family for getting us to this brilliant night.

"The thousands coming to the show, despite all the drama off stage, are always guaranteed a spectacular occasion on stage. Our audience tonight and every night will always get a show-stopper from me."

Flatley, 67, said he had been especially proud to welcome over 30 "Young Lords" aged between nine and 12 onto the stage to open the special show.

"The future of 'Lord Of The Dance' and Irish dancing is bright," he said.

Flatley concluded: "I have put my life’s work into this show and I will always guarantee an unbelievable night to all my supporters. To them I say thank you, and I look forward to my dancers delivering every night for the audiences. I said the show would go on and it did."

It had been touch-and-go over the past few weeks as to whether the Dublin performance would proceed at all.

The Belfast High Court had heard that around 7,000 people had booked to see the show, many of whom who have travelled from overseas, including the US and Canada.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.