Watch: Dancing at Cork’s crossroads is good for mind, body and soul

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.

“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.

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?

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.

“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.

“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’.

“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.

“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.

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.

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.”

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).