Michael Flatley: 'It’s easy to sit at home and feel sorry for yourself but I want to be an example,' says the dancer and choreographer, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2023. Photograph: Charles McQuillan/Getty ImagesIt’s hardly a surprise that Michael Flatley is a big fan of Christmas. I followed my dream, and I’ve made friends with that pain.”Despite his ailments, Flatley refuses to retire. We attend Christmas Eve Mass and have a big Christmas party, with local people invited. “I’m big on energy.”It’s a far cry from his modest upbringing as one of five children, on the south side of Chicago in a neighbourhood he describes as “tough”.

Source: The Irish Times December 08, 2025 11:55 UTC