'Leitrim was a real hotbed for trouble': locals gear up for revival of once-banned Leitrim celebration
All are welcome as historic dance returns for the annual June 23rd celebration, bringing music, dance, and community spirit to the crossroads
The community of Effrinagh is set to host its annual Onefire Night Crossroads Dance (N41 NP04) on June 23rd at 8pm.
“It’s an open invitation, everyone is welcome to bring their instruments, their dancing shoes and rock up,” says Edwina Guckian, who has helped organise the event since its revival in 2013.
The tradition of crossroads dancing in Effrinagh dates back to the 1930s but was halted after Fr. Cosgrove of Drumsna banned the gatherings, coinciding with the introduction of the 1935 Dance Hall Act, which made unlicensed dances illegal.
“Leitrim was a real hotbed for trouble,” says Edwina, especially in that area, with farmer and political activist Jimmy Gralton establishing a hall nearby where he encouraged people to dance against the wishes of the church.
The dances there were community-run, not by the church, and were denounced by local priests. In the end, the hall was burned down and Gralton became the only Irishman to be deported from Independent Ireland.
The law banning unlicensed dances still remains in place today, but in 2013, locals revived the tradition, coming together each June 23rd to celebrate community, music, and the longest days of light.
The event is expected to draw hundreds of revellers, from locals to people travelling from Kerry, Dublin, and Donegal to attend.
“It’s not just a dance, it’s the music,” says Edwina. “It’s a way of bringing people together and the simple act of—we will light a fire, we will play a bit of music and we will dance around it, and people will gather to have a chat.”
But she stresses that if you aren’t fond of dancing or playing music, that’s perfectly fine too.
“90% of people who come to the bonfire and the crossroads dance don’t necessarily dance, but they will stand around and have a great time catching up with people.”
“It doesn’t happen that much anymore, people coming together just to stand around talking,” she says, adding that that is at the core of the event—giving an occasion for people to come out and be together.