Menu
DDF News — 28 May 2025

DDF2025 Photo Gallery

Photo Gallery LEAD

Dublin Dance Festival marked a major milestone in 2025 with its 21st Edition, bringing two exhilarating weeks of dance that pushed boundaries, sparked connection, and celebrated movement in all its forms.

We opened with the spellbinding Chora at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, where Ireland’s National Dance Company, Luail, joined forces with the Irish Chamber Orchestra to deliver a performance that was both fierce and tender – an opening night to remember.

From there, the city came alive with sold-out shows at iconic venues, powerful new Irish works, and a bold commitment to accessibility and inclusion woven throughout the programme. From midday talks to midnight DJ sets, somatic workshops to high-energy cyphers, this Edition pulsed with life, curiosity and community.

Take a scroll through this year’s gallery and relive the highlights of a festival that honoured the past, celebrated the present, and looked boldly toward the future of dance.

Opening Night at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre

A breathtaking opener at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre: Chora brought together Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Company and the Irish Chamber Orchestra in a stunning fusion of music and movement. It was powerful. It was poetic. It was the kind of night that reminds us why we dance.

Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Moyra D'Arcy, Tara Mackin, Miranda Driscoll, Emer McMahon, Alisson Rocha, Liz Roche, Niamh Mongey, Michelle Cahill @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Liz Roche, Carina McGrail, Jazmin Chiodi © Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Maureen Kennelly, Liz Roche, Lisa McLoughlin @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Jazmin Chiodi, Benjamin Perchet @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Inna Mazurenko @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Carina McGrail, Jazmin Chiodi, Karen Howley, Anna Walsh, Alessandra Azeviche, Anne-Marie Smith, Tobi Omoteso @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Guinlon Wang, Sean Crescenzi and members of the Dunne & Crescenzi family @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Jessie Thompson, Robyn Byrne, Alex Vostovo and Rocio Dominguez © Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Guy Nader, Maria Campos @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Maeve Staunton, Bill Oshafi @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Niamh Mongey, Caroline Kennedy @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Miranda Driscoll, Liz Roche, Gerard Keenan, Catriona Murphy, Moyra D'Arcy @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Katie Davenport @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Ciara McGowan, Cat Robertson @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Roberta Nolr, Adele Kirwan, Elaine Connolly, Lisa McLoughlin, Victoria O'Brien @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Gail McCabe, David Spears @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Wang Yeu-Kwn, Jazmin Chiodi, Elaine Liu @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Catriona McLaughlin, Jazmin Chiodi, Mark O'Brien @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Alessandra Azeviche, Jazmin Chiodi, Yves Lorrhan @ Brian McEvoy
Audience members pose on the red carpet in front of the yellow DDF branded backdrop
Jazmin Chiodi, Ambassador of France in Ireland Celine Place @ Brian McEvoy

Interspaces: Lunchtime Talks

Hosted in a relaxed new format with ISL interpretation throughout, Interspaces brought audiences closer to the minds behind the movement, featuring engaging talks with Oona Doherty, Boris Charmatz, and Qudus Onikeku that explored the pulse of contemporary dance and the ideas shaping its future.

Interviewer and festival artist in conversation sit on stage in front of yellow DDF branding
Dr Aoife McGrath © Ben O'Neill
Interviewer and festival artist in conversation sit on stage in front of yellow DDF branding
Tomi Omoteso, Qudus Onikeku © Ben O'Neill
Interviewer and festival artist in conversation sit on stage in front of yellow DDF branding
Tobi Omoteso © Ben O'Neill
Interviewer and festival artist in conversation sit on stage in front of yellow DDF branding
Mary Nunan © Ben O'Neill
Interviewer and festival artist in conversation sit on stage in front of yellow DDF branding
Oona Doherty © Ben O'Neill
Interviewer and festival artist in conversation sit on stage in front of yellow DDF branding
Boris Charmatz © Ben O'Neill
Interviewer and festival artist in conversation sit on stage in front of yellow DDF branding
Qudus Onikeku © Ben O'Neill
Interviewer and festival artist in conversation sit on stage in front of yellow DDF branding
Boris Charmatz, Mary Nunan, Elzbieta Cichocka © Ben O'Neill
Interviewer and festival artist in conversation sit on stage in front of yellow DDF branding
Oona Doherty, Dr Aoife McGrath, Elzbieta Cichocka © Ben O'Neill

Hip Hop Jam

This high-energy workshop brought the dance floor at Project Arts Centre to life with DJ Onai, open jamming and cyphers led by unstoppable Irish hip hop artist Jessie Thompson and France’s fierce freestyle force, Erine.

Hip hop dancers in a workshop on stage in a theatre
© Ben O'Neill
Hip hop dancers in a workshop on stage in a theatre
© Ben O'Neill
Hip hop dancers in a workshop on stage in a theatre
© Ben O'Neill
Close up of DJ decks
© Ben O'Neill
Hip hop dancers in a cypher on a dimly lit stage
© Ben O'Neill
Hip hop dancers in a cypher on a dimly lit stage
© Ben O'Neill
Hip hop dancers in a cypher on a dimly lit stage
© Ben O'Neill
Hip hop dancers in a cypher on a dimly lit stage
© Ben O'Neill
Hip hop dancers in a cypher on a dimly lit stage
© Ben O'Neill
Hip hop dancers in a cypher on a dimly lit stage
© Ben O'Neill

DJ Set with Qudus Onikeku

What a vibe. Following his dynamic performance Re:INCARNATION at the Abbey Theatre, Qudus took to the decks for an Afrobeats DJ set that pulsed with Yoruba rhythms, soul, funk and raw energy. A true celebration of Nigerian culture, on and off the stage.

A DJ plays in the Abbey Theatre Bar
© Jonas Puidokas
A DJ plays in the Abbey Theatre Bar
© Jonas Puidokas
People dance to live music in the vibey Abbey Theatre Bar
© Jonas Puidokas
Close up of a DJs hand and decks
© Jonas Puidokas
People dance to live music in the vibey Abbey Theatre Bar
© Jonas Puidokas
A group poses in front of the DJs playing music with yellow DDF branding in the background
© Jonas Puidokas
People dance to live music in the vibey Abbey Theatre Bar
© Jonas Puidokas
People dance to live music in the vibey Abbey Theatre Bar
© Jonas Puidokas

Disco Neurotico

Not just a party but a sensory playground from the UK, with eclectic DJs, a silent disco, immersive UV art, gaming by NeuroGamers Ireland, and cozy chill zones. A night to remember at Project Arts Centre.

A group of people dance in a club space with colourful lights
© Ben O'Neill
Person dancing in a silent disco with neon lighting
© Ben O'Neill
People dance in a silent disco with neon lighting
© Ben O'Neill
Someone writes on the doodle wall with UV pens that glow in the dark
© Ben O'Neill
People dance in a silent disco with neon lighting
© Ben O'Neill
A DJ  plays for a dance floor full of people
© Ben O'Neill
People dance in a silent disco with neon lighting
© Ben O'Neill
Hands crafting
© Kasha Green

Scorched Earth Premiere

The long-awaited premiere of Scorched Earth lit up the Abbey Theatre. A gripping blend of crime drama and dance theatre by Luke Murphy, our our DDF Artist in Residence 2023 – 2025, and his company Attic Projects. Intense, cinematic and unforgettable.

Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Cathy Levy, Jazmin Chiodi, Luke Murphy, Paul Fahy, Paul Norton @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Sarah Dowling, Will Thompson, Ryan O’Neill, Jazmin Chiodi, Tyler Carney-Faleatua, Luke Murphy, Caitríona McLaughlin, Carina McGrail @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Luke Murphy and Patrick Murphy @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Greta Bourke, Laura Murphy @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Mary Wycherley, Grant McLay, Jenny Roche, Lisa McLoughlin @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Caitríona McLaughlin, Maura O'Keeffe @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Liz Meaney, Barry Dignam @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Anna Walsh, Liz Pettitt @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Anne-Marie Smith, Anna Walsh @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Carina McGrail, Laura Murphy, Catherine Young, Mary Wycherley, Jazmin Chiodi @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Dan Colley, Nigel Connor @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Caroline Kennedy, Kasha Green @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Sebastian Pizarro, Hazel Scully, Charlotte Bruce, Tara Dunne, Jose Peppe @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Joanna Sloan, Rhona Coughlan, Louisa Sloan @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Alessandra Azeviche, Selma Daniel @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, Jazmin Chiodi @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Gwen Van Spijk, Jazmin Chiodi and Lisa McLoughlin @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Lisa McLoughlin, Katherine O'Malley @ Mark Stedman
Audience members pose for photographs in front of the yellow DDF branded banner
Patrick Murphy, Emily Terndrup, Maxine Baker @ Mark Stedman
Five performers take a bow on stage after the show
Tyler Carney-Faleatua, Ryan O’Neill, Will Thompson, Luke Murphy, Sarah Dowling @ Mark Stedman

Workshops & Masterclasses

From somatic flow to explosive freestyle, our workshops and masterclasses invited audiences to learn, move, and dive deep. They were led by some of the most exciting names in dance, including Luail – Ireland’s National Dance Company joined by guest choreographers Guy Nader and Maria Campos, as well as Oona Doherty, Qudus Onikeku, Laura Murphy and Paul Donnelly.

A group of people sit in a circle in a dance studio
Somatic workshop with Laura Murphy © Inna Mazurenko
A meditation bowl
Somatic yoga workshop with Paul Donnelly © Inna Mazurenko
A group of people in a yoga class
Somatic yoga workshop with Paul Donnelly © Inna Mazurenko
Participants of the dance workshop pose for a group photo
Masterclass with Qudus Onikeku © Inna Mazurenko
Workshop participants move in a bright dance studio
Masterclass with Qudus Onikeku © Inna Mazurenko
Workshop participants are in a circle in a bright dance studio
Masterclass with Oona Doherty © Inna Mazurenko
Workshop participantsin a circle lean forward with flat backs
Masterclass with Oona Doherty © Inna Mazurenko
Workshop participants move in a bright dance studio
Masterclass with Guy Nader and Maria Campos © Inna Mazurenko

Support & Join

Support with a Donation

DONATE TO DDF

Join the DDF Family

BECOME A FRIEND