Moya Doherty- Producer of Riverdance.

Moya Doherty
Producer of Riverdance.

The worldwide Irish dance phenomenon Riverdance had half its origins in Pettigo. Moya Doherty was born in Mill Street, Pettigo, the daughter of Master Doherty the local headmaster of Pettigo National School. Her mother was also a teacher in the area. Moya conceived Riverdance as a spectacular interval entertainment for the RTE 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, drawing together the key participants and staging the finished piece to adulatory public reaction. RTE appointed Moya Doherty to handle Eurovision just four years after she was first selected and trained as a station producer. Since then Riverdance has gone on to become one of the most successful stage shows of all time and is now touring all over the world with companies in America and Europe. In recognition of her achievements, Moya was voted 1997 Veuve Cliquot Business Woman of the Year. Bill Whelan composed the music for Riverdance.