Hotels Reeling With Joy As Irish Dancing Championship Attracts Overseas Visitors

Glasgow’s hoteliers are reeling with joy ahead of an invasion of foreign visitors to the city next month for this year’s World Irish Dancing Championships.

Thousands of tourists are expected to pack into Glasgow from as far a field as the US, Canada, South Africa and Australia when the city has the rare opportunity to host the world renowned tournament.

The 37th Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne – World Championship in Irish Dancing will be held in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall between the 1st and 8th April 2007.

This is only the second time that the Championships have been held outside of Ireland, the first time being in 2002 when the event was held in the Clyde Auditorium.

With just days to go at least one Glasgow hotelier is bracing himself for the influx of more than 4,000 competitors, accompanied by 12,000 family members, teachers, friends and supporters expected to descend on the city.

“All of my family rooms have been snapped up by people coming over for the Irish Dancing World Championship,” said Shahid Chaudhry, manager of McLays Guest House in Renfrew Street, Glasgow.

”It’s only the second time it’s been held in Glasgow and for anyone who can’t remember the first time, I can tell you it’s huge.

“People come from all over the world - it’s a real international family occasion. I’ve got people from Australia, Canada, America and even New Zealand staying at the hotel.”

The Championships is expected to benefit the Glasgow economy by more than £8m over the eight days of the competition.

September 2007

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