Do you recognise these ‘platform' dancers?

By Siobhán Cronin

THE location is somewhere between Ballydehob and Schull. The year is 1959 – we think. But who are the people in the photograph and what exactly are they doing?

Well, we think we know the activity – platform dancing! At least that is what the owner of the photograph, Pat Sheehan, believes. 

‘This picture came into my possession recently,' Pat told The Southern Star. ‘It is of ‘pattern' or ‘platform' dancing that took place in the vicinity of Ballydehob about 1959,' he told us.

But now Pat is trying to find out the exact location and time of the photo, and would love to track down the names of some of those either dancing or watching.

‘The picture was taken by Gail Anderson when she visited the Newman family in Ballydehob with her aunt Mary in 1959. They travelled from the US by boat,' Pat  said.  ‘It is a throw back to a very different world, and long before the phrase ‘Health and Safety' came into existence! All the men were dressed with suit, shirt and tie. 

None of the women wore ‘slacks' or jeans. DeValera would have spoken about the “comely maidens” and this picture reflects it.'

‘And,' added Pat, ‘none of them were distracted by a mobile phone!'

If you have any information on the photo above, contact us here at The Southern Star, Ilen St, Skibbereen or email [email protected]