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Abbey Ballroom, Abbeyfeale
This County Limerick ballroom played host to all the great showbands. Now closed, it is occupied by an accounting firm. This photo is from the Abbyfeale website and taken by "Raymond" at http://www.feale.com. |
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Abbey Hotel, Donegal
The Abbey is a small hotel located in the heart of Donegal Town. It has been a venue for mostly medium sized bands over the years. A recent facelift has given the property new life! |
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Abbey Ballroom, Drogheda
Interior of the ballroom taken from a 1960 souvenir postcard. Our thanks to Emily O'Reilly for the photo. |
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Adair Arms, Ballymena
Three Star hotel, built in 1846, located in Ballymena, Co. Antrim is now a popular destination for international visitors looking to visit local sights like the Giant's Causeway. |
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Aishling Ballroom, Clogherhead
A big time venue that attracted all the top name showbands in its day, the Aishling closed years ago and now stands derelict and empty, according to local Martin Carroll, who supplied the photo. |
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Ambassador Hotel, Ballybunion
This 100 room hotel is located in the centre of town and provided many a great night of dancing for holiday crowds. |
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Anner Hotel, Thurles
The Anner Hotel in Thurles remains one of the premier hotels in the region. Although never a major venue, most of the bands on the circuit played there at one time or another. |
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Arcadia Ballroom, Belcarra
The Arcadia is a small ballroom and more typical of the rural ballrooms that dotted the country in the 50's and 60's. It is still in good repair today. |
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Arcadia Ballroom, Cork
The Arcadia was one of the premier ballrooms of the South througout the ballroom era. The Dixies started as the resiodent band in the late 50's before going pro. Sadly, the Arcadia was demolished to make way for student apartments which were opened in late 2007. |
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Arcadia Ballroom, Portrush
Perched on a rock outcrop overlooking the beach and sea in Portrush, the Arcadia has to be one of the most unique ballrooms in Ireland. In fact, a strong local effort on the part of local's has led to the ballroom's restoration as a coffee shop. |
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Ardree Hotel, Waterford
The Ardree Hotel became Jury's Hotel and then more recently was purchased by the McEniff Group and is now called the McEniff Ard Ri. It also used to be a major dancing mecca. |
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Arklow Bay Hotel, Arklow
Like so many others, this hotel now specializes in corporate functions, weddings, and a leisure center. Gone are the showband days. |
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Arklow Bay Hotel, Arklow
This photo, from Liam O'Reilly shows the Arklow Bay in the 1960's. |
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Armagh City Hotel, Armagh
Local landmark hotel has been hosting dances and concerts for many years. Besides hosting many of the showband era's greats, the hotel continues to provide a wide variety of entertainment options for locals. |
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Ashbourne House Hotel
This small hotel just outside Dublin used to run major dance nights, but like many other irish hotels, today it caters more to local business clients and weddings. |
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Ashburn Hotel, Lurgan
The Ashburn is another one of those small town hotels that made it's way though the tough times by holding dances. It has been owned by Thomas McConaghey & Sons since 1974. www. theashburnhotel.com. |
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Ashford Tavern, Ashford
This County Limerick pub is a favorite stopping place for raod rallies and other events. It has also played host to some of the best known names in Irish showbusiness over the years. |
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Astor Ballroom, Castleisland
The Astor Ballroom in Castleisland, Co. Kerry was closed in the mid 70's and has been home to Conroy's Furniture for the past 30 years. Still in use today, it is one of the dozens of ballrooms that continue serve other purposes. |
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Astoria Ballroom in the 60's
The Astoria was one of the finest seaside ballrooms in the country running seven nights a week at the height of summer. It continues to run entertainment today and was recently renovated. Thanks to Joan O'Connell for this photo. |
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Astoria Ballroom Today
Recently renovated, The Astoria contained a bar named Fast Freddie's and a club called Pluto. Thanks to Joan O'Connell and Johnny Gallagher (son of Sean) for the photos and updates. Sadly the ballroom burned down in 2008. |
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Atlantic Ballroom, Ballybunion
The Atlantic Ballroom in Ballybunion was closed many years ago and in 2002, it was demolished to make way for a 72 unit apartment development (seen above). |
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Atlantic Ballroom, Ballyliffin, Co. Donegal
The Atlantic Ballroom is still standing, as seen in this photo from Sean Crawford taken in November, 2009. It appears the ballroom is undergoing some type of work as the windows in the front have already been changed. |
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Bannville House Hotel, Banbridge
Built in 1916, this hotel ran dances from until the early 1990's. Aftre closiong it was purchased and refurbished by the Hamilton family and reopened in 1996. It once again hosts major dances at Darcy's Nite Club.
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Beach Hotel, Mullaghmore
This small seaside hotel in County Sligo has hosted many dances and concerts. Our thanks for former owner's Phil O'Connell's daughter, Joan. Phil sadly passed away in 1991 and was the brother of T.P. O'Connell |
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Beara Bay Hotel, Castletownbere
The Beara Bay was sold in 1996 and demolished to make room for the new Beara Bay nioteclub and entertainment center. This photo was taken in 1979 by the Kim Newport Band. The Beara Bay Hotel was, and still is, a long way from anywhere. |
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Bel Air Hotel, Ashford
This County Wicklow hotel used to be a venue for big band dances, but today is known as a major centre for horse riding holidays. |
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Belclare House Hotel, Westport
The Belclare in County Mayo, like many smaller hotels in the 70's, ran dances which features some of the best names in the business. This photo is courtesy Joe Eddleman and it was taken around 1970. |
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Bellingham Castle Hotel
The Bellingham Castle Hotel is situated close to the picturesque village of Castlebellingham in County Louth. A refurbished 17th Century castle, it hosted many dances over the years. |
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Blue Lagoon, Sligo
After building a large extension onto the lounge in the mid 70's, this Sligo landmark ran a variety of big band and rock nights for many years. Today acts are mostly locals. |
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Boathouse, Cappoquin
This long standing Co. Waterford venue is both an actual boathouse and community centre. Plans are in the works to renovate and expand it. |
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Border Inn, Castlefin
The Border Inn is a small rural pub on the main Castelfin, Castlederg Road. It’s known for its friendly atmosphere both from staff and customers and is still going strong today! |
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Borderland Ballroom, Muff
This great photo of this classic Donegal ballroom was taken in 1962/3 and contributed by Liam O'Reilly and his brother. Today it is an outlet store. |
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Boyne Valley Inn, Drogheda
The Boyne Valley Inn was typical of hotels in the days before the coming of the Celtic Tiger, they ran dances to offset the lack of tourist trade during most of the year, making money on the bar. |
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Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar
Established in 1890 by the Browne Family, the hotel is located on 100 acres just outside Castlebar. It is now part of the Lynch Group, but was a mecca for dancers in the past. |
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Breffni Center, Dromahair
The Breffni Center is a small place, but has played host to some big names in its past. Today it still runs dances as well as having a small 10 room hotel. |
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Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore
Like many Irish hotels, the Bridge House has expanded it's facilities to include a leisure center and remains a vibrant destination for dancers due to the popularity of the Core Nite Club. |
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Brown Memorial Hall, Foxford
The small hall is typical of the parochial halls that were once the mainstay of rural Ireland's social life. Local ceili bands or country and western groups played to dancers and the next night, the bingo session packed them in. |
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Bulgaden Castle, Kilmallock
Originally an 18th century tavern owned by the Hasset family, in 1887 this County Limerick landmark was rebuilt in its present form by the Meade family. It is now converted into a delightful Country Inn and Restaurant with full Cabaret, Function and Disco facilities. |
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Butt Hall, Ballybofey
Butt Hall has been the center of Ballybofey's social life for many years. The hall is used for youth clubs and still hosts the occasional dance. It is currently being refurbished. |
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