Ballroom Days return to Castleisland

Old Friends: Helen Hussey-Leane greeting TR Dallas on his arrival at the River Island Hotel on August 28th. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Eithne Murphy, Castleisland (left) pictured with: Siobhán, Ted and Joan Murphy, Gneeveguilla at the TR Dallas dance at the River Island Hotel. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Irene Brosnan, Scartaglin (left) and Ellen Lynch, Castleisland pictured at the TR Dallas dance at the River Island Hotel recently. ©Photograph: John Reidy

TR Dallas pictured with fans at the dance at the River Island Hotel. Included are from left: Melissa Peskitt, Surrey; Noreen Dillon, Cyril McCarthy and Nora Peskitt, Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Ted and Margaret O’Connor, Knocknagoshel pictured at the TR Dallas dance at the River Island Hotel. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Patsy and Breda McCarthy, Glenflesk pictured at the TR Dallas dance at the River Island Hotel, Castleisland. ©Photograph: John Reidy

At the recent TR Dallas dance at the River Island Hotel were: Joan Hayes, West Limerick; Helen Leane, Castleisland; Angela and Martin Keogh and John Hayes, West Limerick. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Regular, Thursday night ‘Social Dancing’ is to return to Castleisland after an absence of God knows how many years. Not since the heady days of The Astor Ballroom and later ‘Woodies’ were dances held here with any kind of regularity.

Recently appointed, River Island Hotel manager, Willie Buckley confirmed at the weekend that the appearance of T.R. Dallas and his band at the hotel at the end of August was a toe-in-the-water exercise by both men.

They gauged the depth of support for their proposals with the low-key event and were greatly encouraged by the response.

The man-with-the-hat is acting as an insider on the music side of the business. Willie Buckley is doing his bit on the ground to ensure that local patrons enjoy the  return of the ballroom days to Castleisland over the winter and beyond.

The weekly run of dances will begin on this Thursday night, October 9^th at 9pm with High Country.  P.J. Murrihy, T.R. Dallas, Jason Travers, Frank Nelson and many more will also appear on stage here over the coming months.

Dancing will be in the Night Owls, downstairs part of the hotel from 9pm to 11-30pm and the admission is €8.  The River Island Hotel can be contacted on 066 71 42555.