Riverdance to nix future support of CLRG Irish dance events amid investigation

“Riverdance has confirmed to me that they will not be considering placing any further ads with CLRG [An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha] in the future until they know the outcome of the internal investigation,” a spokesperson for Riverdance told the Irish Independent on Tuesday.

It appears, however, that Riverdance will still have advertisements at CLRG's Great Britain Irish Dancing Championships, which will be hosted in London from October 22 - 23. It is understood these advertisements were placed before the CLRG investigation came to light.

"Thank you to Riverdance for supporting our 2022 Event," the Facebook page for the Great Britain Irish Dancing Championships posted on October 9.

Riverdance, which debuted in 1994 as the interval act at the Eurovision Song Contest, is widely credited with launching Irish dance into the mainstream and is still touring an iteration of the show today.

Riverdance frequently provides ad support to CLRG events. In April 2022, CLRG thanked Riverdance on social media for its sponsorship of five competitions, including both ceili competitions and solo competitions, at Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne, the World Irish Dancing Championships, which were hosted in Belfast.

Recent Riverdance advertising spots for both the World Championships and Great Britain Championships highlighted the Riverdance Summer School, where Irish dancers can learn the show's choreography and participants over the age of 18 have the opportunity to audition. The program was granted "show status" by CLRG.

On its website, CLRG says: "By supporting Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne, you are perpetuating a cultural tradition of dance, music and Irish language.

"You are also promoting youth engagement, and helping to promote an art form which encourages self discipline, mutual respect, personal development, sportsmanship, and a healthy active lifestyle.

"You will also access our worldwide Irish dance audience to promote your business."

CLRG, which is a registered charity in Ireland, had a total income of €979,492 (€978,337 from donations and €1,155 from "other") for the annual report ending December 31, 2020, according to Ireland's Charities Regulator. The year prior, CLRG had a total income of €2,110,650.

CLRG's cheating controversy

CLRG has been at the center of controversy ever since it confirmed that it had launched an investigation after it received allegations of 'result fixing.' 

CLRG said it appointed a former Court of Appeal judge to oversee the investigations.

A file of the complaints and supporting documentation lodged with CLRG in July has been seen by IrishCentral. The file contains screenshots of WhatsApp and Facebook messages between teachers and or adjudicators discussing and requesting certain results before competitions even began.

The file has been circulating online throughout Irish dance channels since at least Monday, October 3, though it is unclear who made the file or who began circulating it.

The complainant who, according to the file, lodged the allegations with CLRG was contacted by IrishCentral, but did not provide comment and instead referred IrishCentral to their attorney. 

The file implicates 13 Irish dance teachers and or adjudicators. One additional teacher / adjudicator is named, but only by his first name and the initial of his surname. 

The file seen by IrishCentral does not make it clear how the complainant acquired the messages. 

CLRG issued a statement - first in an email to its members, and then on its website on after the media began to report on the story - that it is investigating the matter. CLRG has not responded to requests for comment from IrishCentral.