Built by Andrew Walshe, the Central Ballroom in Charlestown opened its doors on December 11, 1949 to the
sounds of the Flying Carlton Dance Orchestras of Drogheda (advert below). In 1963, the ballroom was extended, adding 50%
more area to the dance floor and had another "opening night" on June 5th, 1963. In the mid-1980's the
ballroom was refurbished with new lighting systems and reopened in December, 1985.
It finally closed in 1997 with a last dance featuring Big Tom and the Mainliners (photo below)
. This Mayo venue was one of the best around up through the 1980's. It holds a special place for me personally as it was the place
where my Mom met my Dad in the early 1950's and I later played as a member of the Magic Band in 1974.
Unlike so many others that have been demolished. it has been renovated and is now an auto dealership.