‘No Close Dancing’

At the apex of their presence in Ireland in the late 1950s and early 1960s, the showbands were regularly performing in huge dancehalls around the country, usually to packed audiences of several thousands. In the middle decades of the twentieth century, it was a common sight to see a priest hovering around the dance floors, stepping in to separate couples who were too physically close.
 

At her Cabra Library talk on 22nd May, Dublin City Council Historian in Residence Mary Muldowney will discuss the impact of censorship and sexual repression on the showband and dancehall scene in Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s and how this clerical surveillance reflected the status of women in Ireland at that time.

Spaces are limited, so booking is essential. Click Here to book.

This event is a part of the Bealtaine 2025 programme for Dublin City Libraries.