{"id":532187,"date":"2026-03-12T20:49:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T20:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/532187\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T20:49:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T20:49:10","slug":"montrealer-honoured-for-bringing-irish-culture-to-the-world-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/532187\/","title":{"rendered":"Montrealer honoured for bringing Irish culture to the world stage"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Montreal performer had made history as the first Canadian to take on the lead role in Lord of the Dance\u00a0\u2014the world-famous Irish dance show seen by millions. Now, Lucas Lawton is being honoured with the 2026 Liam Daly Heritage Award for sharing Irish culture with audiences around the globe.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI never even had considered before that that\u2019s what I was doing,\u201d he told CityNews. \u201cSpreading heritage around the world, I\u2019ve always just been so excited to be in the show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Montreal Irish dancer Lucas Lawton is seen leading the Lord of the Dance production on stage. (Submitted by: Lucas Lawton) <\/p>\n

At just seven years old, Lawton stepped foot into Irish dancing. <\/p>\n

He then fell in love with the Lord of the Dance show after his mother gifted him a VHS of the production, which has been running since 1996. <\/p>\n

\u201cLord of the Dance is a show from beginning to end of 100 per cent Irish dancing,\u201d said the performer. \u201cIt tells a story of good versus evil.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 30 dancers on stage,\u201d he added. \u201cIt\u2019s high energy. It\u2019s exciting. It\u2019s loud. There\u2019s amazing music.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lawton landed a virtual audition during the pandemic for their spinoff show, Feet of Flames.<\/p>\n

Later, he was selected by Michael Flatley<\/a>, the show\u2019s creator credited with reinventing traditional Irish dance, to play him in the role of The Lord of the Dance.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really beyond my wildest dreams to ever even step foot on that stage,\u201d he said, smiling. \u201cIt was worth all the hard work and all the years.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do I love Irish dance? You know what it\u2019s been like, my identity, to be honest, ever since I was a kid,\u201d Lawton explained. \u201cI get to put on the biggest Irish dance show in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

The production is now celebrating its 30th anniversary.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Montreal Irish dancer Lucas Lawton appears on a poster for Lord of the Dance. (Submitted by: Lucas Lawton) <\/p>\n

What Lawton is doing \u2013celebrating Irish culture\u2013 that\u2019s what he is being honoured for by the United Irish Societies of Montreal.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFor his outstanding contributions to promoting Irish dance and for representing Montreal\u2019s Irish community with distinction on the world stage, the United Irish Societies of Montreal is proud to present Mr. Lucas Lawton with the Liam Daly Heritage Award for 2026,\u201d they wrote on their website. <\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"The dancing shoes of Montreal Irish dancer Lucas Lawton seen on March 10, 2026 at a Kirkland Irish dance school. (Pamela Pagano, CityNews) <\/p>\n

You can catch Lawton in the show as it tours the world, on social media<\/a>, or even while he\u2019s giving Irish dance lessons in the city.<\/p>\n

He\u2019ll also be amongst those leading this year\u2019s Montreal Saint Patrick\u2019s Day parade on March 22.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully, you know, I\u2019m inspiring the next generation of dancers here in Montreal to pursue their dreams,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd hopefully one day end up on the world stage like me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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