The World Irish Dancing Championships

Dancers warm up before competing in the World Irish Dancing Championships. Thanks to the iPod, everyone can rehearse in the same room Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk Last-minute nerves before taking to the stage. Around 4,500 competitors will take part in the eight-day contest Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk Not everyone shows their nerves - some look more excited than others Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk Hair and makeup - a crucial component of any dance, as Strictly fans know Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk A young contestant gets in the zone Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk Glasgow is hosting the event for the third time after beating off competition from Boston, Killarney and Derry, according to the BBC Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk A confident performance by two dancers from one of the 32 countries represented in the competition Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk The event features all varieties of Irish dance, which organisers describe as 'a unique, valuable and visible part' of Ireland's heritage Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk This is the 40th year of the championships Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk An impressive leap against the backdrop of what looks like the Guinness emblem Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/guardian.co.uk