On July 16th, Michael Ryan Flatley enterred this world and graced us with his wonderful talents. He's given so many of us so many things to be happy about, shown us where hard work and perseverance can lead us, and most of all, given back to us our hopes and dreams we've all thought we lost. This book is just a little token of our gratitude to Michael Ryan Flatley, and we hope to see this book grow to become one his best birthday presents for 1999!

All I can offer are words filled with the warmest wishes and loving thoughts on your birthday. Be well, be strong and be happy dearest Michael. Happy Birthday.
-Joelle

Ever since I saw you dance in Riverdance, I have been a big fan of Irish dance. Watching you dance in Denver was beyond words - the energy you and the dancers had, and the pure joy on your face as you danced. That was the most mesmerizing two hours that I have ever spent. Thank you, Michael, for living your dreams so that we are able to share them. May you continue to work to make your dreams come true. and may your new year bring you nothing but happiness. Happy Birthday!
Janis Miller

Michael, I wish you a wonderful birthday because you deserve the best in life. You are always telling people to follow their dreams and everytime I hear those words from you, my dreams make me work harder. That dream is to become a part of the show and I practice everyday and I admire your spirit because you give and give and you mean a lot to me and many other people. You achieved your goal because you wanted it and you encourage anyone to get their goal and work hard for it. I thank you very much because you mean a lot to me and you are a wonderful inspiration to me. I wish you a wonderful birthday and many, many more to come.
Andrea Nelson

I wanted to be one among your many fans to wish you a very happy birthday. Also, to thank you for giving the world a chance to witness your wonderful talent and charismatic personality and smile. I was most fortunate to attend many performances of all your wonderful troupes. My only regret is that I was not there in London for your fantastic "Feet of Flames" finale. But I wanted you to know that, because of you, I was able to realize one of my dreams of traveling to Europe. I did experience several of your amazing record breaking performances at the Wembley Arena and Oberhausen, Germany. Thank you, Michael, for that. I hope you will always consider me a friend of, not only yours, but of all your amazingly talents tapping troupes. I am now enjoying the performances of your new EPCOT Troupe 4. I hope you will consider my friendship and never-ending support and love an appropriate birthday gift. Happy birthday to you, Micheal, and may you have many more.
Merrybeth Parrish
The Flathead from Florida

May you have a joyous birthday and may the light shine on you forever.
Anette Wikberg, in Michael´s corner of Sweden

From one dancer to another I whish you the best birthday ever!!! From all the dancers I have seen, you are still my favorite. I saw two of my favorite ballets, Swan Lake and Cinderella. But it was nothing compared to the day I went to see Lord of the Dance. I can't believe the power and passion coming from it. Now I'm searching for an Irish Dancing school in my neigborhood. My dancing hobby is getting out of hand but I love it!! So happy birthday to the greatest living dancer in the world.
Laura Griffioen

Many happy returns Mikey! You are always in my heart...
Miss Eire

Congratulations on reaching 41, you're reaching the age when all the fun begins. Seriously, I hope you have a wonderful day and that your dreams continue to inspire and encourage you to reach for the stars. P.S. Play a little flute music.
Sue Folsom

Happy Birthday, Michael
Leah Gibson

Michael, I'm curious what you'll be doing THIS year on your birthday, *Big Grin*....Whatever you will be doing and wherever you'll be doing it, have a FANTASTIC birthday! And er...I still bet you can't dance on clogs... Love from the Netherlands!
Barbara

May this year be the best ever: the most exciting, stimulating, fun, productive, healthy, successful, and beautiful year yet! And that will be going some, for you, Michael Ryan! Mnay bright blessings
Shaughnie

I always wonder if you've even received my small gifts to you (way back in 1997) - the exhilarating mint body wash; the sobokawa pillow, and my own personal treasured book of proverbs. As back then, I wanted to try to make your world a little more pleasant and comfortable so that you could bring us all the more enjoyment and entertainment. You have made an indelible mark on all of us with your gifts to us of your amazing talent punctuated with your beautiful disposition. May you be blessed with many more happy, productive years. May God keep you in His graces and with us for a long time to help make this world as He would see fit. I love you for what you've given us, and I thank God for giving us you. May you continue to be so blessed and in His favor.
......"You will be my music. You will be my song............." (My favorite Frank Sinatra song travels to you for your birthday)
Nancy Eilish

I wish you a very happy birthday and make it a great party this time!!!!
A big fat wet kiss from Bianca (21) From Holland

May your birthday be an extra special day this year! We wish you health, happiness, and love. Thank you for being such a wonderful inspiration to so many and thank you for the gift of yourself in all your work! Looking forward to your future creations - Slainte!
Cindy Kolanko and family

Michael you have been a huge inspiration in my life, you've helped me through some rough times. I'm 17 now and one of your biggest fans, you've taught me to follow my dreams!!!! Happy Birthday!!!
Lots of Love
Vicki

May your coming year be as blessed as the last.
Ziggy

Many many happy returns for a fabulous day! Heartfelt thanks for the music and passion for positivity which you have shown to all of us and may we all have the courage to follow your example every day. Have a super time.
Sally, Howard, Colin and Hannah

May you have a terrific Birthday,and remember: you are only as old or young as you let yourself feel. Keep Dancing and I am sure you will feel young forever.
Brenda

If I could give you but a tiny bit of the Joy, Magic, Inspiration and Happiness that you have given me then you would have the best Birthday you could have. Always with unconditional LOVE, brilliant LIGHT, waves of LAUGHTER, immeasurable GODD ENERGY in PEACE...
Jeannie
Keeper of the Royal Glow

Dear Michael, being a flathead now for 16 months I don't want to miss the opportunity to send you the best wishes not only for your birthday. All the best as lots of love, light and good energy together with peace, passion and dreams to follow. Thank you so much for creating this show.
Kerstin Kuhne

...of continuing balance in your life, the ability to bring your dreams into reality, and the wisdom to know WHICH dreams should be brought into that same reality. Joy to you, Beloved One! Joy! (and cheesecake!)
Michele

Wishing you good health, joy and happiness!
Ann

May you find as much joy on your birthday as I found seeing you dance.
Leah Gibson

I wish you Love, Peace, Joy and MUCH happiness. Whatever road you choose, I'm right behind you. Love Ya, Michael.
Marlene Winter

To Michael, Birthdays are a privilege granted to too few. I am a true believer in the saying "What goes around, comes around." You have shared so much of yourself with the world through your God-given talent, and you have brought to surface for many of us with Irish origins a true sense of pride and belonging. Thank you. I may never meet you in this lifetime, but I am sure, as God is my creator, that I will meet you in the next. Happy, happy birthday to a very special human being!
Pat Gallaway
Newark, Delaware USA

Here's wishing you the very best birthday you ever had. Hope you receive my letters asking for you to approve our campaign to get you a STAR on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. My sincere greetings to you on your special day.
Katherine J. Kersten
Pittsburgh, Pa

Happy Birthday, Michael! I hope you continue to inspire and amaze us. Thanks for everything you have done, I'm looking forward to things to come!
Juliet

Happy Birthday Michael
Adrienne Armstrong

I hope you have a truely wonderful Birthday - from one Cancerian to another. May the coming year bring you much love, light and prosperity. Keep on tapping!!!!
Sally Turnbull
Sydney Australia

Best wishes. Happiness always
Laura

Dear Michael Thank you for being not only a brilliant dancer, a genius of a choreographer, a wonderful flautist and everything else that you are, but also for teaching me your philosophy on life and providing me with some of your energy. Unfortunately I have never seen you dance on stage, but even the very first time I saw your video, your energy and your charisma just hit me and made me want to move myself. You literally changed my life! By the way: you are constantly giving and giving and giving... do you have any energy left to yourself at all? Just kidding, I know energy is one of the things in life (just like love) that multiplies when you share it. With the help of the energy you are giving me and the philosophy you taught me, I believe in myself now and found the courage and self-confidence to apply for the job of my dreams. And guess what: I got it! YES! YES! YES! Thank you ever so much for sharing your philosophy on life with your fans! Your example also taught me that you're NEVER too old to do what you love. I'll be 40 in November (but I am NOT planning to create a tap solo on my birthday [Giggle] ) I have a family that I love but with your help I finally found the courage to go for my dream and find me the job I really love with all my heart. I don't know how to thank you... All I can do is send you my best wishes. HAVE THE HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!!
Yours
Ute
(in your German corner forever and a day - even though everybody in my family thinks I'm nuts admiring a "semi-nude Irishman jumping around for two hours" but what do THEY know!?! I tried to explain it to them but they just don't get it...)

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