Tooreen devil (story) to appear on TG4

Tooreen devil (story) to appear on TG4 on Christmas night


Michael Commins

IT is not clear if Michael Henry said “Go home, ya devil, go home!” on that famous night in Tooreen dancehall back on the night of June 1958. But the man who together with a few neighbours had just formed Tooreen Hurling Club was certainly around for an event, which has refused to die out in local folklore.
“Diabhal ag an Damhsa” is the title of a 30 minute drama-documentary about that far-of night in the small east Mayo village of Tooreen, which will be aired on TG4 at 9.55pm on Christmas Night. Michael Henry from Cappagh, Tooreen, who has resided in Oxford, England for many years, is among those interviewed for the show. Michael’s colourful letters on the subject have graced some publications over the decades and he even composed a song about the famous night.
Most of the scenes for the special programme were actually shot in the Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne, Co Leitrim while others were filmed at Hennigan’s Heritage Farm in Killasser. Among the “extras” who will be features in a number of “shots” is Martin Kearns from Rockfield, Barnacarroll.
Linda Ní Ghríofa, from the company that made the documentary, says the show takes a broader look at the social environs of the era. “By re-enacting the events of that diabolical night, we will investigate if the 1950s really were as innocent as this lost generation likes to impress upon us. Was it because the hall was bursting with hormones that Satan chose to appear in this particular dance hall, run by the legendary Fr. Horan of Knock Airport fame?
“On that chilly starlit night, a tall brooding stranger entered Tooreen dance hall, with a whiff of danger emanating from him. With the girls lined up on one side of the hall and the boys on the other, it wasn’t long before his prowling eyes caught the attention of young Bridget O’Flynn. She had the innocence of Eve in the Garden of Eden but she shared her inquisitiveness. When the couple took to the dance floor, heads turned. Tooreen, where cheek-to-cheek dancing was forbidden by the priests, had never witnessed this kind of lustful dancing before.
“However, the stranger fled as quickly as he had arrived, leaving behind a distressed young maiden, a number of startled eye-witnesses and a dance hall with a sullied reputation. Of course, Tooreen Hall’s fame spread far and wide as a result, but the event did little to dampen its popularity. The place was thronged the following week with punters hoping to catch a glimpse of the devil’s lustful dance.
In this quirky documentary, we will interrogate eye-witnesses, cross-examine unbelievers and delve deeper into the sexuality of the 1950s than you’ve ever wanted to go.”

“Diabhal ag an Damhsa” - TG4 Christmas Night 9.55 -10.25pm.