The Rainbow Ballroom of Romance Lives On at Grown Forest

In 2020 a call from the Rainbow Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim set a new chapter in motion. We were offered pieces of the original maple dance floor to repurpose. With Rocker Lane Workshop in Co. Tipperary we transformed this historic timber into handcrafted frames that carry Ireland’s musical past into a future of living forests.

From phone call to idea

Niall from the Rainbow Ballroom reached out after hearing about our work restoring native forests. The Ballroom is a legend in Irish music history. Built in 1934 by John McGivern, it became a beloved venue and a social hub. In the 1950s it gained its famous name, inspired by a romantic interlude that gave dancers fifteen minutes to share a quiet moment together.

A floor that held generations

Over the decades the stage welcomed Rory Gallagher, Van Morrison, Joe Dolan, The Dubliners and many more. The maple floor carried the rhythm of thousands of nights. Its surface still shows the marks of stilettos and dancing shoes. When sections of that floor were retired, we were invited to give them a second life that honoured their story.

Crafting frames with heritage

We partnered with Rocker Lane Workshop to create frames from the reclaimed maple. The front of each frame is lightly sanded to reveal the grain. The sides are left with their original scuffs and polish to preserve character. Each piece is unique. Each one holds a visible connection to nights of music, laughter and community.

From dance floor to forest floor

Today, when you plant a tree with Grown Forest, the certificate can arrive in a frame that carries real Irish history. It is more than a display. It is a bridge between culture and conservation. When you hang it on your wall you show that you have helped write the next chapter in Ireland’s story, where music, heritage and nature belong together.

Neil McCabe – Grown Forest Founder

“My Grandad believed trees were a sacred link between the past and future, planted for joy today, yet growing for generations to come”