Irish dancing outfits can cost up to �2,000

Almost 4,000 competitors have travelled from as far away as Australia and South Africa to take part in the eight-day festival.

It kicked off at the Waterfront Hall on Sunday with separate under 11 and under 12 competitions for girls and boys, and runs through to next weekend with the seniors' competition.

To earn the right to dance in the championships, entrants first had to come through 28 international qualifying events.

One teacher, Fidelma Mullan Davis, who had travelled from the US, said the Riverdance phenomenon was a major reason why Irish dancing had become so popular in recent years.

I'm a dance teacher myself, and I don't expect any of my pupils to pay up to �2,000 for a dress: it's a lot of money Rose Nolan Organising committee

"Of course, with Michael Flatley coming along, he made it known all over the world," she said.

"Before, ballet dancing was everything - now everybody is into Irish dancing."

Looking the part in Irish dancing does not come cheap, with its immaculately curled hairstyles and intricate dresses, as Rose Nolan of the organising committee admitted.

"It is very expensive, with the dresses, shoes and of course hair," she said.

"It's all highly competitive now, and appearance means an awful lot.

"One must remember, dance teachers never recommended this style of costume - it really came from parents

"I'm a dance teacher myself, and I don't expect any of my pupils to pay up to �2,000 for a dress: it's a lot of money."

If taking part is an expensive business, at least some people are hoping to make money out of it.

One of the judges, Dan Armstrong from Andersonstown, said the tournament was bringing a cash windfall for Belfast traders.

"There's not a hotel bed to be had in Belfast, and you can see queues at restaurants all over the city," he said.

"Hopefully we'll bring in millions of pounds to the Belfast economy."