Ireland’s iconic Rainbow Ballroom of Romance stands proudly on the N16 road to Sligo in Glenfarne, County Leitrim. The Ballroom was built in 1934 by John McGivern on his return to his native Leitrim from the USA. It was then known as Mc Givern’s Dance Hall, although locally it was always the 'Nissen Hut', as its then galvanised iron construction was reminiscent of the British Army huts of the same name. After his time spent in New York, many of John's neighbours and patrons also came to call him by his stage name Johnny Macaroni!

The dancehall was a hugely popular venue during the showband era, hosting legends of rock 'n' roll and country music including Philomena Begley, Big Tom & The Mainliners, Brian Coll, The Melody Aces and so many other iconic acts.

Today the Rainbow continues to host concerts, variety shows, tea dances, community workshops and classes, traditional music concerts and much more. It is home to a one-of-a-kind Showband Memorabilia Exhibition, that offers a unique insight into Ballroom and Showband history, thanks to local collector Gerry Finneran.

A lasting memory from the Ballroom’s early days of the 1930s and ’40s is the ‘Romantic Interlude’, which would see owner and host John McGivern take the stage with the band, dim the lights and encourage dancing partners to get to know each other better by drinking a mineral at the bar. It is often said that many happy marriages were made here in Glenfarne!