Watch: Big Island members of Hawai‘i Irish Dance make special St. Patrick’s Day cameo on Irish TV

We couldn’t let St. Patrick’s Day Week end without bringing the Big Island a little bit of Irish love, and dancers with Hawai‘i Irish Dance recently sent some news perfect for the occasion.

Eight Irish dancers from the Big Island and members of the dance troupe — a hui of professionals, students and friends who offer Irish dance instruction and performance groups on the Big Island and O‘ahu — had the luck of the Irish on their side, receiving the honor of being among several Irish dance groups from around the globe featured at the beginning of the St. Patrick’s Day special March 14 of RTE Ireland’s “The Late, Late Show.”

Alongside the Hawai‘i Irish Dance group were the 7 flaggers from Scully’s Pub in Waiki‘i, which bills itself as the Big Island’s friendliest private Irish pub, open for events by invitation.

“What a special way to open the show,” said Patrick Kielty, current host of the world’s longest-running live TV chat show, having aired now for 63 years since it premiered the summer of 1962.

Dance groups from Australia, Italy, Uganda and other nations danced alongside the Hawai‘i dancers in scenes shown during the opening sequence that also celebrated the 30th anniversary of “Riverdance.”

The theatrical production of traditional Irish music and dance took the world by storm in 1994 at the Eurovision Song Contest and in February 1995 made its official stage debut in Dublin, Ireland.

“Riverdance” is celebrating its 30-year milestone with a special tour called “Riverdance 30 – The New Generation,” complete with new choreography, costumes and technology that showcase the show’s iconic fusion of Irish and international dance and music.

“The Late, Late Show” special St. Patrick’s Day opening included the cast of “Riverdance 30” performing via video and in front of the show’s studio audience, capping off the scenes of dancers from around the globe to the same music.

The 8 Big Island Irish dancers making the cameo appearance on the TV show halfway around the globe the night of March 14 were the same who represented Hawai‘i from Feb. 1-2 in Waikīkī in Honolulu during the first large-scale Irish dance competition, known as a feis, in Hawai‘i.

They competed against dancers from throughout the U.S. mainland, Japan, Canada, Taiwan and Australia.

It was hosted at the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī Beach Resort and Spa by the St. Ambrose Irish Dance Organization and Cleary School of Irish Dance in California.

The Big Island group not only competed in the state’s first feis, it also placed among the top.

“Great job to the Hawai‘i Irish Dance team for bringing home the medal!” says a Feb. 1 post on the Hawai‘i Irish Dance Facebook page. “A huge mahalo to Margaret Cleary for allowing us to participate in such a special event and to Karl Drake for his amazing instruction and inspiration!”

Nearly 100 dancers of all ages participated.

Hawai’i Irish Dance — as it has for years — also helped the Big Island community celebrate St. Patrick’s Day last weekend and Monday, March 17, the day of the holiday, with free public performances including at Smash Daddy’s and The Kings Shops in Waikōloa.

The Big Island dancers have a performance today at 4 p.m. during a celebration of everything Irish, including a unicorn ring toss, pony rides and other family activities from 3 to 5 p.m. and a Celtic band performance from 5 to 7 p.m. at Waikōloa Stables.

Hawai‘i Irish Dance members are brought together by a love of dance, music and Irish culture. Some began dancing elsewhere, while others got started right here in the islands.

Virtual classes also started during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to be offered, with students connecting from around the world.

Hawai‘i Irish Dance is honored to be a part of the active and thriving island Celtic community. Its dancers enjoy performing at annual events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Honolulu and with visiting bands from the U.S. mainland, Ireland and elsewhere.

The troupe is always happy to welcome new additions to the Irish dance family.

People of all ages and experience level are encouraged to come give Irish dance a try. Many of the troupe’s dancers never danced a step in their lives before joining Hawai‘i Irish Dance.

Visit the Hawai‘i Irish Dance website or follow the troupe on Facebook to learn more or find out how you can become a member.