Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley has launched a new whiskey – with a warning to not “drink and dance”.
Now available in Ireland, The Dreamer will be launched in the United States this summer before launching worldwide in 2025.
Mr Flatley agreed with Henry McKean on Newstalk Breakfast that people should drink his new brand “cautiously”.
“I think that with all the things to do with any type of alcohol, be drink-aware,” he said.
“Always be responsible, drink responsibly.
“Most importantly – don't drink and dance.”
The Lord of the Dance declined to comment on whether he ever drank and danced himself.
🗣️‘When I first created Riverdance, people always said “did you have any idea it would be that big?”, I knew it would.’@henrymckean chats to the legendary @MichaelFlatley about Riverdance, Irishness and Michael’s health journey ☘️ pic.twitter.com/rEZlgZ5VQx
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) May 14, 2024
Mr Flatley shot to fame in 1994 when he led Irish dancing group Riverdance in the interval of the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin.
He said he always knew the group was going to become a hit.
“People always said did you have any idea would be that big? I knew it would,” he said.
“Of course, I left the show after 13 weeks and created Lord of the Dance, and that went on to do enormous venues.
“It was my dream to have young people using their arms in Irish dancing, and I’m so happy with that.”
While he was raised in Chicago, Mr Flatley always felt connection to his Irish roots with a father from Sligo and a mother from Carlow.
He wouldn’t go as far to say, though, that he is “more Irish than the Irish themselves”.
“You'd have to ask the people that know me best,” he said.
“I'm very proud to be Irish. I'm honoured to be Irish. I love Ireland. I love the Irish people.”
Flatley's future plans
Alongside the launch of his whiskey business, Mr Flatley is also overseeing the Lord of the Dance European tour, which just finished in Germany and is now heading to Eastern Europe.
He also has a Christmas special coming up and has received “two film offers” following his action film Blackbird.
“Other than that, it’s pretty quiet,” he said.
The Dreamer drink can be found in stores, restaurants and hotels across Ireland, with a recommended retail price of €45.
