Edendork Dance Hall, Ireland

Edendork Dance Hall was once a popular social venue during the Irish showband era between the 1960s and mid-1980s. On the old rotting stage there still stands an old microphone. A huge blue dome towers above the dancefloor, and chandelier hanging from it. Once a lively venue, it is not out of fashion and out of time.

I explored this location during one of the Ireland 2023 Tour(s), shortly before it was demolished. My photos show the sad state of this once grand venue, when it had lain abandoned for around 30 years.

History of Edendork Dance Hall

Edendork Dance Hall was built in 1963 on the Dungannon to Coalisland road in County Tyrone. Originally it was called Malachy’s Parochial Hall. Accounts from the period describe large numbers arriving from surrounding towns and parishes, often by bicycle or on foot. Its popularity grew steadily, making it one of the key social venues in mid-Tyrone.

In the 1960s, the Irish showband era brought nationally recognised performers to Edendork . The hall featured a regular circuit of touring acts, many of whom later went on to wider acclaim across Ireland and the UK including Merseybeats, Mud, Christy Moore, and Tom Jones. At its height, Edendork was hosting several dances a week, drawing large audiences and maintaining a steady income for organisers.

The building’s design remained largely unchanged during this time, with only minor refurbishments recorded. It continued to function as a central entertainment space in the district through the 1970s, retaining its role as a stop on the showband circuit.

After this period, the hall no longer maintained the same frequency of events. Gradually the venue slipped into disuse and later into disrepair. Ultimately, it was shuttered up and left abandoned to decay.

History of the Irish Dance Hall and Irish showbands

Edendork Dance Hall, and those like it, were popular social venues in 1960s through to the mid-1980s. In the 1950s patrons waltzed and fox-trotted to the big band sounds. In the 1960s they jived and twisted to the upbeat music of the showband era. Showbands were six or seven piece bands, which played a variety of music which changed with the decades. Ranging from traditional Irish music to rock and roll and everything in between. The versatile repertoire of these bands was the key to their success, drawing in crowds by covering the latest chart-topping pop songs. Some bands diversified even more by including short comedy skits between their musical performances.

The dance hall was a major part of Irish culture, nearly every town would have one and it would have certainly been packed out every Friday and Saturday night. Young party goers would walk and cycle for miles dance the night away in venues such as this. Besides music, these halls also hosted other events such as weddings, parties, and drama performances. A true focal point for the community.

The showband-era reigned strong until the mid-1980s, when their popularity declined. This dance hall, and hundreds like it, closed down. Edendork itself

Demolition of Edendork Dance Hall

Unfortunately, the story of this particular Irish dance hall was not destined to have a happy ending. Permission to demolish Edendork Dance Hall was granted in 2024. Education Ministers announcement to construct brand new schools across Ireland, and the site of this dance hall will be the site of the new Edendork Primary School. The wrecking balls moved in in October 2024, and erased the once-loved Edendork Dance Hall.