The hit show that put Ireland on the map will be returning to Donegal for the second time on May 22.

And with tickets already selling like hot cakes it is hoped more dates will be added to the Donegal leg of their Irish tour.

But for dazzling dancer Padraic thinking on his feet won't be all he's doing this summer.

With a spring in his step he'll be walking - or perhaps even dancing - down the aisle to marry his Riverdance colleague Niamh O'Connor.

Ironically the pair lived just doors away from each other while growing up in Dublin, but it wasn't until they both danced their way into Riverdance they set eyes on each other.

Making them the 36th couple to meet - in the show - and marry, the pair plan to get hitched in August in Mayo.

Padraic said: "We are really looking forward to it.

"We have just been finishing off the last minute details this week."

Padraic who moved to New York when he was nine-years-old developed a love for Irish dancing in a true Billy Elliot style.
As a boy Padraic used to copy his big sister Julie's steps and loved dancing.
Thankfully, his mum spotted Padraic's enthusiasm and fancy footwork and enrolled him in the local dancing school.

His love of dancing grew and when an opportunity came up to take part in a Riverdance audition a then 17-year-old Padraic skipped school and went to Boston for the casting.

He joked: "My parents read the letter about me getting into Riverdance.
"They were fine about me skipping school because I got in, but they wouldn't have been too pleased if it was for anything else."
Padraic joined the team in 1997 and assumed the lead role in 1999.

Surprise for mum

He said: "It was the most phenomenal thing that ever happened to me.
"When I got the lead I didn't tell my mum, I just told her to come to see the opening show - it was a surprise.

"When she came and saw me doing lead, she blubbed for the whole show, she was so proud."

For Melissa it was a similar story.

She too had danced from an early age and was desperate to get a part in the show after it wowed millions of viewers when it first hit our TV screens for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Despite being discouraged to audition, by her dance teacher, Melissa audition was successful and since joining the troupe more than 11 years ago the now 28-year-old has she has never looked back.

She said: "When I was 16 or 17 Riverdance came along and it was the first opportunity for dancers to do something with their dancing other than teaching.

"It was on the Eurovision and I saw it and thought that is definitely what I want to do.

"My dancing teacher didn't want me to go there.

"But I was thinking at the time that it may not be around forever so I went for the audition and I got on the show.

"I have been in it for 11 years.

"It is quite physically demanding, but to do something you really love everyday is brilliant.

"To be on stage entertaining people, that is just a dream come true and it is a great job."

Melissa recently married her husband, Declan Masterson, who she also met in Riverdance.

Declan is a musician for the production.

When asked what a life was like for a Riverdance star day to day the duo said they lived 'nocturnal' lifestyles, rising late in the day and heading to work at around five in the evening and finishing at around 11.30pm.

The pair and their troupe - the Foyle squad - (each of the three Riverdance squads are named after a river) start a vigorous training schedule before the curtain goes up.

And its no rest for the dancers once the show is over either.
For the dancers there's no sipping wine and putting their feet up until they do a cardio work followed by a cool down to ensure they don't sustain any injuries during or after performances.

Buckets of ice- for feet!

The team also submerge their legs in buckets of ice to make sure there is no muscle strain.

Julian Erskine, senior executive producer for the show, said it was essential the dancers take care of their bodies.

He said: "I think the physical management is really important.

"For the dancers to do eight shows a week they have to be very careful with their bodies.

"I am there from the very start of the show.

"And the difference is the way they behave now to the way they did at the beginning.

"They used to come in with Big Macs, and now they soak their feet in buckets of ice."

"The first year of the show they all got in at 5.30 with a Big Mac and there were injuries.

"It didn't take long before the whole health management became really important."

Padraic said the group's training regime is not too dissimilar to that of professional footballers.

He added: "It is just like being a professional football player.

"It is that kind of approach we have to take towards it."

The pair and the rest of the Riverdance team are now gearing up to wow thousands of Donegal people when they jump on to the Letterkenny stage in a week's time.

And thanks to the success of last year's show the team are confident it will be a success.

Padraic said: "The music is so powerful in Riverdance, I know, for me, standing there before the first number and hearing the audience clapping you just know its going to be a good one."

Melissa said after having a 'fantastic' run in Donegal last year the group are looking forward to Riverdance's second tour in the area.

The show runs from May 22 until 25 with a matinee on Sunday 25.

If you want to see the show please call the box office on 074 9123062. Tickets are priced at 54.50 (incl booking fee).