Dancing days are far from over for these elderly Irish emigrants in London – The Ballroom of Romance in Kilburn is single-handedly fighting social isolation amongst an older generation who feel that modern-day London has backed them into a corner without any viable outlets. Named after the famous movie, the ballroom is regularly host to 200 London Irish, looking for a dance, a chat and a nice night out. Reporter Robert Mulhren took his mic for a spin around the dance floor and met some of the regulars.
Billy White McLoughlin from Buncrana comes for the showband sounds and good old-fashioned fun. He says,
"These people don't look their age because they're out and dancing and they're great movers around the floor, they're brilliant!"
Billy has been a fan of the ballrooms since the 60’s, but he traditionally had one problem – "I was sleeping in a lot for work!"
The Ballroom is a lifeline for Peter Murray from Armagh, and it connects him strongly to home.
"Coming here you get familiar with the ball and then slowly you get to know their names and the more you dance with them, then you get to know them all the time so it's really good, I enjoy it. It's nice to talk to people and say hello and find out what part they're from at home. There's not a place in Ireland that's not here!"
Mary Coughlan, originally from Monaghan, says she comes to The Ballroom for the social element, "…and if I'm lucky, someone asks me to dance!" She says that you can find friendship, and maybe more, if you're looking for it. Billy agrees with her:
"A lot of people like myself, I'm a widower, they come and they make new relationships at these functions."
Whether you're looking for love, laughter or just a spin around the dance floor, The Ballroom of Romance brings a forgotten era back to life and provides an invaluable social outlet to a generation Irish who aren't ready to hang up the dancing shoes any time soon.
Click here to listen to that full report.