From jive classes in Coppers to bopping in the ballroom in Fethard, the dancefloors around Ireland are hopping every night of the week.
Accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, age, shape or size, dancing is a fun way to keep fit, socialise, and learn something new. But dancing can be more than that – it can be where love stories begin, an escape from grief, or a way to keep old memories alive. Secrets from the Dancefloor explores our passion for dancing as we meet those who can’t live without it and offer insight into what inspires people to dance.
The programme features several contributors including Kilkenny based, 103-year-old, James McManus who loves to tango, and has no plans of stopping. “The day I do that, I’ll be in a coffin” he laughs. He reminisces on dancing through life with his beloved Patsy, and his time spent in the British Army during World War II.
Wicklow teenager, Freya Roche, is enamoured with ballroom dancing, “I don’t know what my life would be without it, it’s made me so confident and outgoing”. Freya defied her dyspraxia diagnosis, which affects her co-ordination, to become The All-Ireland Ballroom Dancing Champion last year. The programme follows Freya as she dances to retain the title for 2023.
Rebecca Harte and Eoin Sexton from Cavan met and fell in love at jive classes. They are busy preparing their home for the arrival of their very own tiny dancer, as well as planning a wedding and the all-important first dance.
Secrets from the Dancefloor is episode one of the three-part series that will lift the lid to reveal the inner workings of various areas of life in Ireland. In addition to dance, the series will look at the Secrets from the Sidelines, and the Secrets of a Delivery Driver.
TV Critic Vivian Summers:
“Being RTÉ, surely we need Secrets from the Finance Department?”
Watch Secrets from the Dancefloor on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on at 21:35 2nd October 2023.