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Palm Beach Ballroom, Portmarnock
Another County Dublin favorite night spot during the height of the showband era. We thank John Baird for supplying the photo. |
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Palm Court, Bellmullet
After opening in 1971 and being owned by the Mangan Family, the ballroom closed in the 1990's. However, it is now reopened as the Gateway Leisureplex. Our thanks to Margaret McWilliams for the info and photo. |
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Park House Hotel
Edgesworthtown, Co. Longford
Still active today |
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Pavilion Ballroom, Westport
The Pavilion, once one of Mayo's most famous "ballrooms of romance," closed years ago, but was spared the wrecking ball, and today functions as a Cash and Carry. |
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Percy French Hotel, Strokestown
This small County Roscommon hotel held the traditional dance dates throuhgout the 70's and 80's before Irish tourism got the shot in the arms in needed when the Celtic Tiger took off! |
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Plaza Ballroom, Belfast
Although the Plaza closed in 1970, it wasn't until 1975 that it was destroyed by fire. Finally in 1980, it was demolished. The Plaza was one of Belfast's biggest and best ballrooms throughout the early showband era! |
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Quay Road Hall, Ballycastle
Like many town's, Ballycastle's Community Center has doubled as a dancehall throughout its history. And like most of them, the best of the showbands appeared there in their heyday. |
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Quay Road Hall, Ballycastle
A different view of the Quay Road Hall which is still in use today. Our thanks to John Baird for this photo. |
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Rainbow Centre, Glenfarne
The "original" Ballroom of Romance, the Glenfarne Centre, although a little run down, is still being used for socials, meetings, etc. This one of the classic ballrooms that will hopefully be saved. It has recently been turned into a museum by the local development agency. |
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Ramble Inn, Antrim
Like many pubs, the Ramble Inn has played host to many of the showband names over the years, usually providing a venue to play midweek, when the ballrooms were quiet in the latter days. Jim Nolan tells us that the Ramble Inn recently reopened (2012) after being closed for a year. |
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Ranch House, Cummer
Like so many other ballrooms of the era, the Ranch House was no more than a shed on the side of the road between Tuam and Galway. It saw all the big bands, but today stands empty and derelict. |
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RDS, Dublin
The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) has played host to most of the major rock acts in the world and was, for many years, THE major rock and concert venue in Dublin. |
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Redbarn Ballroom, Youghal
The Redbarn, unfortunately, burned down many years ago. On the site, a hotel has been built known as the Quality Hotel & Leisure Centre. |
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Rinka Ballroom, Islandmagee
This Country Antrim ballroom that once jumped to the showbands now serves the town as a shop for all types of goods. Thanks to Glen brown for this photo. |
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Ritz Ballroom, Carlow
Michael Brennan provides this picture which has the Ritz Ballroom labeled, although difficult to see. Also in the picture is the Ritz cinema. The ballroom now stands empty and unused. |
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Riverdale House Hotel, Kenmare
One of many hotels that ran dances when the tourist season wasn't packing them in. This 64 room hotel is now part of the Best Western chain and caters mostly to tourists and functions. |
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Rose Hill House Hotel, Kilkenny
This former dancing mecca was purchased and refurbished by The Griffin Group and is now known as The Hotel Kilkenny. |
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Royal Hoey Hotel, Athlone
Like so many hotels built in Ireland's towns, the Royal Hoey has been the perfect venue for dances over the years. |
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Premier Ballroom, Thurles
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