Summer dancing set to make a welcome return at Laharn
COMELY maidens and eligible bachelors from North Cork will be hoping to ‘strike it lucky’ over the summer with the return of the popular weekly ‘Dancing at the Crossroads’’ series of openair concerts to Laharn Cross next Sunday evening.
The old custom of the crossroads dance was a hugely popular social event in rural Ireland up to the 1950’s, with people gathering to meet outdoors to dance.
Over the latter part of the century the tradition began to decline in popularity for a number of reasons including rural depopulation, the availability of affordable recorded music and the introduction of the Dance Halls Act (1935) that restricted dancing to licenced establishments.
In recent years the custom has enjoyed something of resurgence, most notably at Laharn Cross, situated in the shadow of north Cork’s Baelic Mountains.
For the past two decades locals have gathered there each Sunday night from 8pm-10pm to step out on the raised platform to live music courtesy of popular local bands and musicians.
From waltzes to quicksteps to foxtrots, polkas, shoe the donkey and the Siege of Ennis, the dancing will evoke memories of the golden days of the crossroads dancing custom and introducing it to a whole new generation.
The 20th anniversary series will kick off with an evening in the company of Mike Condron, with Ger O’Donoghue, Dermot & Irene Ring and June, Mike, Helen and Southern Pride set to play the Cross during the month of June.
The full list of bands for the 2018 summer season is available at www.laharn.ie.
Pat Cranitch, chair of the Learn Community Action LTD, said since the weekly sessions commenced Laharn Cross had become a household name across not just across North Cork but the entire province of Munster.
“The tradition of crossroads dancing is alive here at Laharn Cross, with young and old taking part in this wonderful weekly celebration of rural Irish life,” said Pat.
“Everyone is invited and the fun is free, although we do ask for a donation to cover the cost of the bands. There is no need to worry about the weather as the dancing can be moved to the nearby heritage centre if it rains,” he added.