For almost forty years the National Ballroom in Dublin's Parnell Square was the premier dancing venue for thousands of young people. Through the war years, the jiving fifties, the showbands of the 60's and the disco's of the 70's 'The National' was a place where people came looking for love.

"Girls tended to go to the right and find a spot to sit down for a while as they eyed the opposition on the far side. As soon as the music started up each girl would wait in anticipation hoping that, firstly she would be asked to dance and not left holding up the wall, and secondly, that it would be someone half decent who would approach her”. (Peg Prenderville, dancer at 'The National')

The ballroom still stands today but has long since ceased to be a place of dance. The high ceilings, stage lights and velvet couches are now coated in dust. While many summers have passed since the sliding glass roof was last opened and the sprung maple floor polished, you can still sense that 'the National' was a special place that was the ballroom of dreams.


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