Hi, I am doing a masters in historical archaeology and i have decided to do my thesis on the rise and decline of Irish Dancehalls since so many of these wonderful structures are disappearing from the countryside. They need to be recorded and preserved for future generations. I am looking for any information regarding their construction (i'm especially interested in ballrooms/dancehalls that were built specifically for that purpose - not hotels etc that had oarts of their premises converted to serve the purpose of a ballroom), who built them, materials used, concepts surrounding their design (photos would be welcome) and I am especially interested as regards their unusual names. My mother got me on to this unusual thesis topic by recalling her days in the Lilac Ballroom in Enniskeane and in the Montrose Ballroom Macroom (both of which ar now car showrooms!)  Any direction, contacts or information would be most welcome.

kind regards
Sile