Day 72 #100DaysOfOldDays

I’m okay to have been born in 1967, but I’m sorry to have missed the era of the dance halls and big show bands. By the time I was old enough to go out, the dance halls were almost gone, replaced by DJs and discos. I wrote about the disco days on day 28 of our project.

The dances were the highlight of the week for most young people. The halls pulsed with young blood and enthusiasm. Young men arrived on their pushbikes, some with their girlfriends sitting on the bar. The singletons rolled in, full of hope and romantic notions. There was no alcohol served; they got hyped up on fizzy minerals and cigarettes. It was all about the dancing and socialising, and of course, courtship.

Socialising was a must back then. Going out meeting people was important. Either that or you sat at home looking at the four walls. No internet meant no Facebook and no Tinder. If you wanted to know what your friends were up to, you had to go out and meet them. If you wanted a date, you went out. It was a healthy way of life, not to mention great fun!

In the late 70’s I remember watching the older girls heading off to Granada – a dance hall in our neighbouring town, Kingscourt – all dressed up to the nines. I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to go too. I wanted the dresses, the shoes and the handbags, and the cherry-red lipstick.

Granada first opened it’s doors on Sunday August 12th 1962. It was owned by Thomas Quinn and Tony Kiernan who already owned another Granada dance hall in Granard, Co Longford.

Mick Delahunty and The Miami Showband opened the night to a packed crowd of keen swingers.

The following year, 1963, Johnny Cash and June Carter played in Granada on October 9th. I bet that was a night to remember!

My sister-in-law Margaret, has fond memories of the glamour of Granada just before it came to a close. It had sparkling mirror ball lights and balconies that ran each side of the dance floor, part of which was always occupied by the iconic Cullivan sisters from Bailieborough; Teresa, Margaret, Eileen and Maura, who were big into their music and fashion.

Part of the excitement was waiting to get the Anglo Celt (local newspaper) to find out which big bands would be playing over Christmas. And it was all the more exciting when one of the most sought-after bands was listed, like The Indians, who were huge around that time. (My mam had an LP record of theirs.) They were fabulous in their feather headdresses.

Gina, Dale Haze and the Champions were another most sought-after band. They were on the scene from 1973 until 1992, so I remember them. They reunited in 2009 and have performed in several venues since.

Sha la, la la la, la la la…… 🎵 🎵 🎵 🎵 🎵 🎵

The last social event in Granada was at Easter 1982, just as I was starting to go out dancing. The dance halls were at the end of their era but a lot of the big bands were still going strong, playing in hotel ballrooms and pub function rooms. Goodbye mineral-only bars…hello dry Martini and red lemonade!

Joe Dolan was still very much on the scene right up until he passed away in 2007. He was fantastic throughout his whole singing career. A great showman. I went to hear him in the Oasis and in The Bailie Hotel. Joe was Ireland’s answer to Elvis Presley!

There’s so many bands to mention. Bagatelle, The Eagles, Smokie, Stockton’s Wing, Horselips, Dickie Rock who played with The Miami Showband.

The country singers were a big hit too. Philomena Begley, Susan McCann, Gloria, Margo, Larry Cunningham and Big Tom.

And as people of our vintage would say, those were the days! How times have changed!