'My body is just beaten': the Lord of Irish dance bows out

Jerome Reilly

PUBLISHED29/03/2015 | 02:30

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FEET OF FLAME: A standing ovation for Michael Flatley at 3Arena in Dublin, as he took his
final bow before he brings the curtain down on a glittering career — FEET OF FLAME: A standing ovation for Michael Flatley at 3Arena in Dublin, as he took his final bow before he brings the curtain down on a glittering career

THE King of Irish dance finally abdicated last night - to a standing ovation at the 3Arena in Dublin.

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Michael Flatley took a final bow as he brought the curtain down on a glittering dance career with his last performance in Dublin.

It was a bittersweet moment for the Chicago-born dancer, whose father, Michael Snr, passed away earlier this month. He had paid tribute to his late father during Friday night's sell-out show.

Before his final routine, the dancer looked toward the heavens and said "this one is for you Dad".

Last night's performance of Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games was attended by his mother Elizabeth and a large number of family and friends.

While it was his last performance in the Republic, Flatley will perform in other shows before finally hanging up his dancing shoes for good.

"My body just can't take it anymore, I'm beaten and battered and I've given everything I have to this dance form over the years and I just have nothing left to give," he said.

Asked how he will feel when he retires, Flatley replied: "I don't know - I'm not sure, but I'll find out. I have a beautiful young wife and son and I want to spend more time with them."

Sunday Independent