07/09/2026
Just under two weeks ago the world lost a true trailblazer in Dolly Parton. In 2007, Rhythm of the Dance had the honour of performing a five-week residency in Dollywood, with full houses for the entire run - a great achievement for our dancers and the creator and producer of the show, the late Kieran Cavanagh.
The day that Dolly and Rhythm of the Dance performed together to an invited audience of 1,000
media journalists was a most memorable event. Dolly sang “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” with Rhythm of the Dance’s own three Irish tenors. Dolly also performed a rousing version of her own composition “We Irish”. It brought the house down!
The show returned to Dollywood in 2008 and 2015.
Dolly Parton was a remarkable woman, a star in every sense of the word, and her legacy will live on through her music. May she rest in peace. 🪽💫