Almost 20 years after it stole the show at 1994’s Eurovision Song Contest, Riverdance has been voted Ireland’s favourite TV moment of the past 50 years. 

That breath-taking Riverdance performance by Michael Flatley and Jean Butler topped the UPC poll of memorable moments with a staggering 49% of the vote. Since then, the show has played 10,000 performances and has been seen live by over 22 million people in over 350 venues worldwide.

The original performance of Riverdance topped the poll for Irish viewers

Respondents were provided with a comprehensive list of past TV moments and invited to nominate any not listed.

Ireland’s top five most memorable TV moments from the report are: 

1.      Riverdance

2.      9/11

3.      Darren’s Death in Love/Hate

4.      Katie Taylor wins gold at the 2012 Olympics

5.      Mileys affair with Fidelma on Glenroe

The tragic events of 9/11 remain in the hearts and minds of Irish people as it followed Riverdance as the second most memorable television moment. Third place went to Darren’s shocking death in Irish gangland drama Love/Hate, which had the nation up in arms only months ago.  

The survey also looked at the top TV moments by genre. In the drama category, Darren’s death topped the list, followed by the scandalous on-screen affair between Miley and Fidelma on Glenroe over 20 years ago, while Liam and Eoghan’s kiss on Fair City followed in third. 

Darren's death in Love/Hate was voted the most memorable drama TV moment

In the sporting category, Ireland’s golden girl Katie Taylor won the top spot as she captivated the nation at the London 2012 Olympics. While Packie Bonner’s infamous save at Italia ‘90, the Irish rugby team’s grand slam in 2009 and David O’Leary’s penalty against Romania followed.

The top news moments were dominated by tragedy with 9/11 coming top, followed by the death of Princess Diana in 1997. While Riverdance was followed by Mike Murphy’s candid camera prank on Gay Byrne as Ireland’s top entertainment TV moments. 

 

Most memorable drama TV moment

1.      Darren from Love/Hate’s Death (32%)

2.      Mileys affair with Fidelma on Glenroe (23%)

3.      Eoghan and Liam’s kiss on Fair City (7%)

4.      Assumpta’s Death on Ballykissangel (7%)

5.      Stephen Fry’s Appearance on Ros na Run (6%)

 

Most memorable sporting TV moment

1.      Katie Taylors winning the Gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics (27%)

2.      Packie Bonner saving the penalty at Italia 90 (14%)

3.      The Irish Rugby Team wins the Grand Slam in 2009 (10%)

4.      David O’ Leary’s Penalty against Romania at Italia 90 (7%)

5.      Ray Houghton scores against England (7%)

 

Most memorable news TV moment

1.      9/11 (46%)

2.      Princess Diana’s Death (16%)

3.      The Queen’s Visit to Ireland (9%)

4.      The Pope’s Visit to Ireland (5%)

5.      Neil Armstrong becomes the first man on the moon (4%)

 

Most memorable entertainment TV moment

1.      Riverdance First Performance at the Eurovision in 1994 (49%)

2.      Mike Murphy’s Candid Camera prank on Gay Byrne (15%)

3.      Pat Kenny tearing up Toy Show tickets on the Late Late Show (7%)

4.      Annie Murphy talking about her affair with Bishop Casey on the Late Late Show (6%)

5.      The Late Late Show 50^th Anniversary Special (4%)