Fethard Ballroom is to feature in a new TV series. The programme will take a behind the scenes look at a number of aspects of life in Ireland and Monday’s first episode explores the nation’s passion for dance in Secrets from the Dancefloor.
From jive classes in Coppers to bopping in the ballroom in Fethard, the dancefloors around Ireland are hopping every night of the week. Accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, age, shape or size, dancing is a fun way to keep fit, socialise, and learn something new. But dancing can be more than that – it can be where love stories begin, an escape from grief, or a way to keep old memories alive. Secrets from the Dancefloor explores the passion for dancing as the audience meets those who can’t live without it and offer insight into what makes people dance.
The programme features several contributors including Kilkenny based, 103-year-old, James McManus who loves to tango, and has no plans of stopping. “The day I do that, I’ll be in a coffin” he laughs. He reminisces on dancing through life with his beloved Patsy, and his time spent in the British Army during World War II.
Wicklow teenager, Freya Roche, is enamoured with ballroom dancing, “I don’t know what my life would be without it, it’s made me so confident and outgoing”. Freya defied her dyspraxia diagnosis, which affects her coordination, to become The All-Ireland Ballroom Dancing Champion last year. The programme follows Freya as she dances to retain the title for 2023.
Rebecca Harte and Eoin Sexton from Cavan met and fell in love at jive classes. They are busy preparing their home for the arrival of their very own tiny dancer, as well as planning a wedding and the all-important first dance.
Ethno choreologist, Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain, from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Desmond O’Neil, Professor of Medical Gerontology, and Loraine Barry, one of Ireland’s most successful ballroom dancers and Dancing with the Stars judge, all give their expert opinion on what it is about dancing that makes it so appealing.
Secrets from the Dancefloor will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 9:35 pm Monday 2nd October 2023.
In addition to dance, the series will look at the Secrets from the Sidelines, and the Secrets of a Delivery Driver.
