On 19 February 1935, the Irish president, Éamon de Valera, signed into law the Public Dance Halls Act. The idea for this law came out of a report by the Carrigan Commission into juvenile sex crimes, which basically concluded that unlicensed dances were responsible for these scandalous behaviours. In fact, the Commissioner declared that orgies were frequently the result of these events and the police had no power to prevent them. Enter the solution, to restrict the spaces and places where dancing could be done, which required approval by a judge and the issuance of a license, and the collection of a tax on admission tickets.
With this pen stroke, the heart of much Irish community and social activity was undone. The Catholic church supported this Act. Even the Gaelic League affirmed this legislation, arguing that it was an effective strategy to keep out foreign influence, thereby protecting Irish culture.[1] They argued that the Minister of finance had “buried in jazz” and sold the soul of Ireland.[2] The Act is comprehensive and still in effect![3]
In the history of dancing in Ireland, 19 February 1935 is a significant date. It could be argued that this was another step in a self-colonising process in Ireland at the time. As the Gaelic League sought to establish a suitable Irish national identity, it excised many deeply imbedded traditions across Ireland. This law contributed to the decline of dance practices across Ireland. The informal transmission of music and dance was lost.[4]
There were, however, those who found ways to persist in their love of gathering, dancing, and gregarious community. John Murtagh of Co. Longford shared that “All the old people are at one in condemning the commercial dances, now so common in every parish. Most of them are outraged at the idea of having to pay three or four shillings for a night’s dancing, when in their day, the dances were absolutely free. There is a general distrust and dislike by the older people of these dance-halls, which they think are menacing the older and better and more sociable way of life of their young days.”[5] The Public Dance Hall Act meant that people lost control over their social and community events. The law prohibited them from gathering to play music and dance. Profits began to assume the priority – profits not for the community, but rather the few who held power! The social fabric of Ireland had been rended.
So why would should we care about this law in 2025? I would argue that we are currently watching the rending of the world we have known. As a Canadian watching the current Republican administration causing devastation to communities across their country, and internationally, including making threats against Canada, I struggle to know how to respond. Reflecting on the responses to the Act inspires me to consider how to use gathering and community to stand against those who seek to destroy. While there are legal and political fights to be fought, in our daily lives we also need to find joy. We need to find ways to celebrate. We need to find ways to come together. On the cusp of Irish Heritage month (March) here in Canada, I challenge you to dance – dance alone, dance with others, dance in solidarity, dance in joy.
If you are reading this from Kitchener/Waterloo, here are some upcoming dance events to consider:
- February 22: IRL Festival Ceili at Victoria Park Pavilion
- March 1: IRL Festival Adapted/Family Ceili at Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts
- March 9: Femme Folks Fest: Feet Music session at Train Station Waterloo
- March 11: IRL Festival Wee Folk Step, Spin, and Screen at Registry Theatre
- March 15: IRL Festival St. Patrick’s Day Ceili at Victoria Park Pavilion
If this history resonates with you, why not step into the tradition yourself? Join us for classes at the studio or online! The online Molyneaux St. Patrick’s Day set dance launches March 1, and our spring sessions kick off at the end of the month. Come dance with us!