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29 Sept 2025
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29 Sept 2025
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Clara Heritage Society to rekindle Dancing at the Crossroads
Clara Heritage Society has rekindled the age-old Irish tradition of Dancing at the Crossroads.
The society's annual Dancing at the Crossroads Festival will happen on July 24 at Lismony Cross, Killbegan Road, Clara from 7pm to 9pm and all are welcome.
The little ones will be entertained too by a Bouncing Castle, but they must be supervised at all times.
The event organised in conjunction with Clara Tidy Towns is funded by, Small-Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Schemes, Tullamore Municipal District & Clara Heritage Society.
Dancing at the Crossroads was popular in the 18th and 19th century, however, with the decline in rural populations it began to dwindle.
The Catholic church was none too happy about the carry on of young people especially young girls attending these unregulated dances at the time.They were concerned in particular about sexual immorality and how young girls could get into trouble and end up in institutions or city dens.
A statement from the Bishops and Archbishops was issued about the matter.
In addition they warned young girls not to dance with the same man all night as this type of man was not the marrying kind and even if he was he wouldn't be much good.
In 1935 the Public Dance Halls Act more or less brought an end to cross roads dancing and they were replaced with dance halls which were supervised by the clergy. Dancing was also not allowed during Lent.
Despite these dire warnings Clara Heritage Society has decided to take a chance and revive the tradition.
READ NEXT Long awaited bus shelters on the way for Clara and Tubber
The dancing at the crossroads tradition is being renewed in a number of counties around Ireland and is proving popular with those who take part.
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