Events

Aughrim Kilmore Development Association will host a special cultural event celebrating the revival of a much‑loved rural tradition, Dancing at the Crossroads, at historic Cox’s Cross. This event responds directly to community feedback expressing concern about the loss of rural customs and shared social traditions. From the 1940s to the 1960s, long before dance halls became widespread, Bonfire Night at Cox’s Cross was a major annual gathering. Held under a marquee, Dancing at the Crossroads attracted thousands of people from Roscommon and neighbouring counties, with attendance reaching up to 4500 people in 1959. These nights were rich in music, dance, song and community spirit.

To honour this legacy, the Association has booked the Seán Ó Dowd Showband Show. Seán, originally from the area, has a deep personal connection to the event. His mother, Phyllis Glancy Ó Dowd, was instrumental in starting the original carnival in the 1940s. Seán is a local music teacher and former music shop owner at Cox’s Cross and has gone on to enjoy a long and successful career in the music industry, which continues today.

On the night, new signage will be unveiled to mark Cox’s Cross as a cultural landmark, ensuring this important place in local history is recognised and remembered. By reviving this tradition, the event will strengthen pride in rural life, reconnect younger generations with their heritage, and show that traditions survive best when they are lived, shared, and celebrated—together