'Dancehalls were our main way of meeting boys'

'Dancehalls were our main way of meeting boys'

Maura remembers how she used to go to dancehalls where one would meet boys.

Maura Corr

Trinity College Dublin

1955

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Maura Corr

Adolescence and Early Adulthood

Life Story

Dublin

1950s

Dancehalls were our main way of meeting boys. There was no drinking.We'd prepare for hours with clothes and makeup. We frequented Clerys, the Metropole, The Crystal, the National in Parnell Square.In the beginning one could be put out of the hall for refusing a boy a dance. That changed over the years. Also women were not allowed to dance together.It was a great way of meeting people from around the country and also from other countries.Boys usually did the choosing, so you could be left sitting all night or again you could be danced off your feet.The live bands were great and we'd all heave and push when a quickstep started. Sweating and laughing.No money for taxies, so we'd walk or hitch a lift. If lucky, a fellow would have a car and bring us home.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)