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EchoLive.ie, 8 Jul
Dancing at the Crossroads is back at Lahern. CHRIS DUNNE went along to
find out more, and chat to some of those taking part
Watch: Dancing at Cork’s crossroads is good for mind, body and soul
Set dancing on a late summer's evening at the Crossroads in Laharn
Cross, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon
EVEN though Éamon de Valera never actually uttered the phrase ‘comely
maidens dancing at the crossroads’ in his famous St Patrick’s Day radio
address in 1943, it remains an iconic image.
The Ireland that de Valera dreamed of is happening every Sunday evening
at the crossroads at Lahern, Lombardstown, where people from all over
gather to dance the night away.
“The return of traditional Irish music and dance is long-awaited for
after a two year period where no dancing took place at the Crossroads
due to Covid-19,” says Mary. P. O’Sullivan, Chairperson of Lahern
Community Action CLG.
Kate Hickey and Albie Lyons from Bweeng doing 'Shoe the Donkey' during
Dancing at the Crossroads in Laharn Cross, Co. Cork. Picture: David
Creedon Kate Hickey and Albie Lyons from Bweeng doing 'Shoe the Donkey'
during Dancing at the Crossroads in Laharn Cross, Co. Cork. Picture:
David Creedon
“We are thrilled to be operating since the June bank holiday weekend
because we missed it greatly over the last two years, but public health
and the health of our patrons comes first,” says Mary.
The tradition of dancing at the crossroads is alive and well here at
Lahern Cross and we look forward to everyone coming to enjoy themselves
and take part every Sunday evening, both young and old.
I felt like a ‘comely maiden’ once more when I headed to Lahern Cross,
situated on the foot of the Baelic Mountains in the heart of North Cork
one balmy Sunday evening to step it out.
Maurice and Ann Ahern from Belgooly with their grand daughter Ciara
O'Brien during Dancing at the Crossroads in Laharn Cross, Co. Cork.
Picture: David Creedon Maurice and Ann Ahern from Belgooly with their
grand daughter Ciara O'Brien during Dancing at the Crossroads in Laharn
Cross, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon
What about the expected rainfall which is never far away?
“Don’t be feared about wet summer evenings,” says Mary.
“It’s only a ‘quick skip and jive’ away from Lahern Heritage Centre
where the dancing can continue if the weather isn’t favourable. The
Centre is only 1km away from Lahern Cross.”
Large crowds were stepping it out on the raised timber platform to
dance the night away to the live music band, on this occasion, Denis
Hickey & the Marino Band.
“Will you join in?” inquires Mary.
Must I twist again like I did last summer?
Michelle Crowley with her father Bill from Carrignavar take to the
floor. Picture: David Creedon Michelle Crowley with her father Bill
from Carrignavar take to the floor. Picture: David Creedon
Mary laughs.
“The twist, waltzes, quicksteps, and foxtrots, are all very popular,”
she says.
“Not to mention polkas, shoe the donkey and the Siege of Ennis.
Everyone loves to get out on the floor and enjoy the dancing. It is
great for our community and for the people who come from near and far
for two hours of entertainment every Sunday evening in the great
outdoors,” says Mary.
The dancers make merry.
We have great banter and a great laugh. We swap the news and ask people
how they are since we last met up. All the faces become familiar, and
we feel like a large family.
Lahern Crossroads is a great venue for a shindig.
Mairéad Walsh waltzing with a dance partner during Dancing at the
Crossroads in Laharn Cross, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon Mairéad
Walsh waltzing with a dance partner during Dancing at the Crossroads in
Laharn Cross, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon
“We have the ideal space,” says Mary.
“There are no high ditches, we have two green areas and plenty parking
space. The seating has comfortable cushions for people to sit and
chat.”
The troupes arrive to dance promptly at 8pm.
“Couples come here together; people come on their own. All ages come,”
says Mary.
The masses come.
Waltzing on a warm summers night during Dancing at the Crossroads at
Laharn Cross, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon Waltzing on a warm
summers night during Dancing at the Crossroads at Laharn Cross, Co.
Cork. Picture: David Creedon
“Bus loads arrive,” says Mary.
“We’ve had couples come in camper vans and stay for the night. We’ve
had people come here from all over the world; as far away as Japan.
French and German, people love the idea of dancing at the crossroads,
and they often stay around locally for a day or two.”
Everyone is encouraged to ‘go round the house and mind the dresser’.
Martina Harrington and John Crowley. Martina Harrington and John
Crowley.
“Dancing at Lahern Crossroads is all inclusive,” adds Mary.
“The band invite people to take to the floor to dance the night away
and the band encourage them come up to sing too.”
Friendships are forged at the Crossroads.
“People get to know one another,” says Mary.
They are all out for a good time.
“They come, they dance, and chat and they all have a lovely sociable
evening,” says Mary.
People’s love for dancing goes back the years. They love dancing in the
open air instead of in a packed hall.
Dan Duggan remembers the packed halls and the Ballrooms of Romance.
Breda Flynn and Ted Meaney. Breda Flynn and Ted Meaney.
“I have been dancing for years,” says Dan. “But not so much now.”
He still loves the atmosphere, the music and the camaraderie.
“I come here every single Sunday night. I meet people for a chat, and I
watch the good dancers.
“It’s lovely to listen to the music. The entertainment is great of a
Sunday evening.”
In his heyday, Dan cut an impressive figure on the dance floor. He met
his match in Freemount 48 years ago.
“Yes, I met herself at a dance in Freemount,” says Dan.
Caroline Cronin and Nuala Lucey from Dromahane. Caroline Cronin and
Nuala Lucey from Dromahane.
What dance did he ask his future wife out on the dance floor to twirl
to?
“We danced a polka set!” says Dan, still going strong, building a new
home on half an acre at Longueville House.
Sean Kelly, who loves to waltz, also remembers the days of yore.
“In the olden days, you had the Post Office, the Creamery and the
Forge. Now they are all gone,” says Sean.
Now there is no place to meet neighbours or locals. Those places were
great to go back to and chat about politics, religion or sport. Mixing
with people is good for the mind and the soul.
Dancing is good for the body and the soul.
“I still like a waltz,” says Sean.
Not a Siege of Ennis that Denis in the band is recruiting for now?
“If I danced the siege of Ennis, I might crack my neck!” says Sean
laughing.
Eileen Murray from Glenville and local Jimmy Forde. . Eileen Murray
from Glenville and local Jimmy Forde. .
Sean enjoys the craíc and the banter to be had at Lahern Crossroads
every Sunday evening.
“It is a wonderful outlet, especially for elderly people,” says Sean.
“We are out in the air, and we can all socialise together.
“The setting is lovely, and it is peaceful out here in the countryside.
“You’d always meet somebody and could stay talking until after
10.30pm.”
When he was younger, Sean danced the nights away in Rockchapel and
Boherbue.
“We went to the Majestic in Mallow too,” he says.
There used be dances in local community halls and the Macra ran dances
too. We were all young and like-minded.
Time moved on and times changed.
“The church dwindled,” says Sean. “There were no more chats after mass.
The post offices closed. Farmers no longer met at the Forge where
stories were told. The company used to be great. I miss it. There are
no places left for the elderly to go. There is nothing for our age
group. That’s why I come here.”
Laharn Community Action CLG committee member Mary P.O'Sullivan. Laharn
Community Action CLG committee member Mary P.O'Sullivan.
Sean loves sharing stories at Lahern Crossroads.
“I could tell you a few!” he says laughing.
He is whisked away for a waltz. We must swap stories at a later date.
Does one’s partner/date still pay for two at the door to enter the
dance like back in the day?
Mary P. laughs.
“The fun is free!” she says. “Though we do ask people to contribute a
few euros in the donation boxes which go towards the cost of the live
bands.” The band is hotting up. The rain has arrived. It’s raining men
and comely maidens at Lahern Cross.
Take a spin this summer to Lahern Crossroads and enjoy a twirl and a
spin on the dance-floor - round the house and mind the dresser!
Here’s the line-up:
* Sunday, July 14: C&M Sound
* Sunday, July 21: Peter Lane & Blackwater Sound
* Sunday, July 28: Ger Healy ‘The Singing Jarvey’
* Sunday, August 4: Billy O’Brien Band
* Sunday, August 11: Mike Condon
* Sunday, August 18: Tim Joe & Ann O’Riordan
* Sunday, August 23: Ted McCarthy
* Sunday, September 1: Ger O’Donoghue
(Valentia Island).
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