Demise of Dancehalls

Last dance at the Olympia

Ticket for the 'Last Dance at the Olympia'. A night of nostalgia held in the Olympia Ballroom in December 1997. Music supplied by Dickie Rock.

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Last dance at the Olympia
Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

Last dance at the Olympia

Ticket for the 'Last Dance at the Olympia'. A night of nostalgia held in the Olympia Ballroom in December 1997. Music supplied by Dickie Rock.

Courtesy of Waterford City Library Services

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In the late 1960s the popularity of the dancehall throughout the country began to wane. This was due both the advent of the disco and because hotels were opening their own ballrooms. The hotel ballrooms had more luxurious and comfortable surroundings plus licensed bars. Like all other ballrooms the Olympia began to lose out, it remained open until the late 1960s.

On the 27th October 1997 'The Last Dance at the Olympia' was held. This was an evening of nostalgia and many of those who had danced in the Olympia in their youth attended for the very last time.