Dance Hall - in Ireland

In Ireland

Until the early 20th century, Irish music was usually only played in people's homes, but after 1920 (when Ireland gained its independence from Great Britain), Irish music flourished, and crossroads dancing became very popular. It drew together larger groups of people and were main social events, particularly in western areas.

During the 1930s, the dance hall became the place to enjoy Irish music and dance. The 'Ceilí Band' also emerged during this time. From the 1950s until the 1990s, Irish showbands became the most popular form of entertainment across the island. Showbands like the Dixies, the Royal, the Miami, Dickie Rock, Big Tom, Gloria, Mama's Boys, Mick Flavin and hundreds of other bands traveled throughout Ireland, often performing in ballrooms, hotels, dance halls, marquees and parochial halls.

Most of today's popular music in Ireland can trace its roots back to the country's "showband era". Prior to the showbands, most "bands" in Ireland in the early 1950s were similar to the big bands of the 1940s. They usually had ten or twelve musicians who sat behind music stands led by a band leader. They played the Irish dance circuit which was mostly made up of some ballrooms and the parochial halls that dotted the island.

At the high point of popularity, there were hundreds of ballrooms, not only located in the cities, but spread across the country, often located "in the middle of nowhere" or often just where two country roads crossed paths. Some traditional Irish dance halls are popular venues for the Irish in large cities such as London.