Dance Halls – 1935

Freeman’s Journal 9th July, 1931 p35

(By N.C.W.C. News Service.)

Dublin, May 25.— The modern evils of the dance halls and the laxity of parental control formed the theme of the addresses of the Irish Hierarchy during the present season of visitation for administering Confirmatiion. Speaking in Tuam, the Most Rev. Thomas P. Gilmartin, Archbishop – of Tuam, said that laxity of parental control was too apparent, and that as a consequence too many young people attended dances, which he called nothing less than ‘orgies of sensuality held in devils’ dens.’ ‘Ireland is at present at the parting of the ways between pagan morals and a Catholic country,’ ‘ said Dr Gilmartin. ‘Combination is needed to build up the nation in the glorious traditions of the past; in this uplifting, the girls are the greatest influence.’

In Galway, the Right Rev, Thomas O’Doherty, Bishop of the United Dioceses of Galway and Kilmacduagh, said that dance halls were practically on all occasions dangerous to morals, and that ‘even the Government’ was alarmed about the abuses practiced in many of the, uncontrolled dance halls. The Bishop also denounced the evils of mixed bathing, which, he said, had led to the most ‘shameful thing in the history of mankind,’ the evil of beauty competitions. He was pleased to say that attempts to introduce mixed bathing in Galway had been, unsuccessful. The Right Rev. Patrick Collier, Bishop of.Ossory, speaking at Callan, urged parents to renew control, which he said has fallen to a low level in the last 15 years. Religion had suffered, he said, through the weakening of the family and the breakdown of parental control.