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.
Ethnochoreologist, Orfhlaith Ni Bhriain, from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Desmond O'Neil, Professor of Medical Gerontology, and Loraine Barry, one of Ireland's most successful ballroom dancers and Dancing with the Stars judge, all give their expert opinion on what it is about dancing that makes it so appealing.
Speaking about the programme, series producer, Darragh Byrne said: The Secrets' world brings audiences behind the scenes of familiar areas of Irish life and puts the viewer into the shoes of some remarkable people. With an access-all-areas approach, these are stories we can all relate to but which still have the power to surprise by allowing viewers into the sometimes-private thoughts of often unsung everyday heroes.
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.
Watch Secrets from the Dancefloor on RT One and RT Player on at 21:35 2nd October 2023.
More from RTE
15/10/2025
Series coming in 2026 stars Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Justine Mitchell and Jason O'Mara released today
RT today released first look images of new comedy-drama ...
14/10/2025
Imelda May explores her relationship with the Irish language through songs and sean-n s singing
Friday 17 October, 8.30pm on RT One and RT Player
Watch tr...
13/10/2025
Season 2 brings murder and West of Ireland humour - and rain - to our screens, with M ir ad Tyers joining the cast
Watch trailer here.
A small-town obituary w...
13/10/2025
The Katie Hannon Interview Live airs tonight & Wednesday night at 7pm
As part of RT 's comprehensive election campaign coverage, journalist Katie Hannon w...
10/10/2025
Today with David McCullagh to begin at 9am
Oliver Callan to move to 11am
Kieran Cuddihy to present Liveline
Louise Duffy moves to mid-afternoon
Katie Hannon...
10/10/2025
Tipperary, Cork and Dublin Championships to feature in first three weeks
Three weeks of top-class club hurling begins RT 's 2025 Club Championship coverage...
09/10/2025
After over 11 years on RT Radio 1, The Ray D'Arcy Show is set to come to an end this week Ray presented his show for the final time yesterday.
During it...
09/10/2025
RT today announced that Gavin Maloney has been reappointed as Associate Princip...
08/10/2025
Gr inne McAleer has been appointed as Acquistions Editor, RT following an internal competition.
As Acquistions Editor, Gr inne will report to and support the ...
08/10/2025
Brand New Podcast Series tells the extraordinary story of a couple jailed in Ire...
07/10/2025
RT SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2025...
03/10/2025
From today 2FM presenters Demi Isaac and Mikey O' Reilly will be unleashed on the airwaves five days a week. The dynamic duo will stand in for Doireann Garr...
03/10/2025
Heart-warming series features families from Dublin, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Clare
The series that rebuilds people's lives by rebuilding their homes returns t...
03/10/2025
RT will provide comprehensive coverage and analysis of Budget 2026 across online, radio and television on Tuesday 7 October with extensive reporting and reacti...
02/10/2025
At a time when world events can feel dark and overwhelming, The Lyric Feature on...
02/10/2025
Priscilla Presley and John C. Reilly join The Late Late Show Country Music Special to celebrate 10 years
Priscilla Presley | John C. Reilly | Daniel O'Donn...
02/10/2025
Key Presidential Debates to help voters decide
First Debate this Sunday 5 October on RT One & RT Player
Over the course of the 2025 Presidential election ...
01/10/2025
RT has today revealed a new Head Judge and presenter line-up for the ninth series of the hit show Dancing with the Stars.
The new Head Judge on the dancefloor...
26/09/2025
After four suspense-filled weeks, 24 fascinating players and 12 nail-biting episodes, The Traitors Ireland came to a dramatic conclusion this week and audiences...
26/09/2025
Former First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon will join Patrick for a wide-r...
25/09/2025
RT 's This is Art!' creative kids art competition launches with nature ...
24/09/2025
Seisi n returns to RT One and RT Player from Friday 26 September at 8pm with f...
24/09/2025
Broadcasters Mary Wilson and ine Lawlor will sign off on Morning Ireland on RT Radio 1 for the final time this morning. Today marks Mary Wilson's official...
24/09/2025
RT Investigates reveals factories supplying clothing to major Irish retailers h...
22/09/2025
It's back! To mark the return of the 14th season of the TODAY Show, Ireland's most successful and longest-running afternoon show, RT releases new prese...
22/09/2025
New RT Investigates documentary reveals cotton produced by forced labour camps ...
22/09/2025
Special programmes across RT television, radio and online, plus special initiatives
#ISL #IDSL #IWDP25
RT is proud to once again support Irish Sign Langua...
19/09/2025
RT SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2025: SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED
WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED AS PART OF AN RT RADIO 1 ARENA SPECIAL ON FRIDAY 24TH OCTOBER
LIVE FROM THE PA...
18/09/2025
Individual phones could be tracked back to specific residential addresses
Sm...
17/09/2025
Auditions will be held in Dublin, Cork and Galway
The County Parade returns f...
12/09/2025
The Late Late Show is back with a bang after the summer break, and Patrick Kielt...
12/09/2025
The World Athletics Championships, Ireland v France in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter-final, the Irish Champions Festival, and two Sports Direct Men...
12/09/2025
The Records Show starts Sunday at 6.30pm on RT One and RT Player.
Katie Hanno...
11/09/2025
Tonight on Prime Time
RT One and RT Player at 9:35pm
Tonight RT Prime Time...
11/09/2025
RT Statement: 2026 Eurovision Song Contest
At the General Assembly of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in July, a number of EBU members raised concerns ...
10/09/2025
RT brings three days of live radio, live entertainment, live news, live weather, personal appearances, and more
Join RT Radio 1: Morning Ireland, The Oliver ...
09/09/2025
The Autumn Schedule has begun on RT Raidi na Gaeltachta, with a feast of music, entertainment, news and current affairs programmes as well as an interesting s...
05/09/2025
This weekend sees another feast in store for all sport fans as RT airs a jam-packed schedule of live, free-to-air sport.
The Amgen Irish Open continues all we...
04/09/2025
CELEBRATE CULTURE NIGHT ON RT
A rich schedule of live music and performances across RT services
RT will again celebrate Culture Night on Friday 19th Sept...
04/09/2025
RT shares first look images of drama series The Walsh Sisters, based on the novels by Marian Keyes
Coming to RT One and RT Player from Sunday 28 September,...
03/09/2025
My Story: Georgie - Cow Queen airs on RT 2 this Wednesday, September 3 at 4pm.
...
02/09/2025
This September, RT is delighted to support Culture Night, Dublin Theatre Festival, Limerick Jazz Festival, Dublin Fringe Festival and 17 other amazing arts and...
02/09/2025
RT and Virgin Media Television have today (Tuesday 2 September 2025) announced ...
01/09/2025
24 players have entered Slane Castle ready to outwit, outplay and outlast in the ultimate game of trust and deception.
The Traitors Ireland has commenced.
Her...
01/09/2025
First time television presenter Cathal Dowd, aged 23, from Wexford is the newest addition to the news2day team. news2day is RT 's news service designed spec...
29/08/2025
Get ready for an inspiring and emotional insight into the world of competitive Irish dancing with My Story: Tomi Champion of the World airing on RT 2 this monda...
29/08/2025
RT has today announced that David McCullagh is to be the new presenter of RT Radio 1's flagship Today programme, which airs every weekday at 10am, replaci...
27/08/2025
Filmed over the course of 20 years in Ireland's wild Atlantic, Dolphins: Wonders of the Ocean begins this Sunday.
From underwater cameraman Ken O'Sulli...
25/08/2025
RT Commercial has today announced Centra as proud food sponsor of The Traitors Ireland, coming to RT One and RT Player on August 31.
The partnership will be...
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.
