0:00:02 > 0:00:05In rural Ireland, country music has never been so popular.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10A host of new country stars have tempted a generation to
0:00:10 > 0:00:13turn their back on the nightclub...
0:00:13 > 0:00:15don their Stetsons and jive the night away,
0:00:15 > 0:00:17from Ballymena to Ballydehob.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23This week we're on the road to Bundoran, County Donegal.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28A holiday town for 250 years and now Ireland's country music capital.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32People call it the Nashville of country music here in Ireland.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35We're checking into the Allingham Arms Hotel, that has been
0:00:35 > 0:00:37a beacon for fans of the music for over 20 years.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42The August bank holiday is the highlight of the hotel's
0:00:42 > 0:00:44annual country calendar.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47I'm afraid I don't have anything available on Saturday night.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Last year, more than 2,000 country fans
0:00:50 > 0:00:54descended for a weekend of headline acts and all things country.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56- We're here for the dancing.- Very good.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00On the Sunday alone, they served over 800 dinners.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02This year promises to be even bigger.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05One last final push for this weekend.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08So, owner Peter and his staff have got their work cut
0:01:08 > 0:01:11out as they welcome fans travelling from north and south.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Pressure's always on, it's the Allingham.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Welcome to the uplifting world of Irish country music.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34This weekend it's a fun-filled weekend of country music, dancing...
0:01:34 > 0:01:38Peter McIntyre took over the reins of the hotel in 1994.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41When he decided to hang his hat, cowboy of course,
0:01:41 > 0:01:45on live country music to try and breathe new life into the business.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Tickets are selling fast so be early to avoid disappointment.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52- RECORDING:- Doors open 10.30.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55With an advertising strategy he's used for years...
0:01:55 > 0:01:57VOICE FROM TANNOY
0:01:57 > 0:01:59..Peter makes sure Bundoran visitors
0:01:59 > 0:02:02and locals alike know about his country nights.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05I started about 15 years ago, the Dictaphone,
0:02:05 > 0:02:07and I find it's a great job for promoting.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10People come to Bundoran and they don't know what's on in the town
0:02:10 > 0:02:13and I find it's an old-fashioned way of doing it but I find it works.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15Facebook, forget it, let me tell you.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Peter goes around with the old megaphone, as they used to say.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21You'd think it was a circus coming to town, to be honest.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24- TANNOY:- The brilliant Mike Denver.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27And the man himself, Ireland's most popular country star Jimmy Buckley.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29I've seen years ago people say,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31"What are you doing with that van up that town?"
0:02:31 > 0:02:34I used to say, that's the van that built the Allingham.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Over the years Peter's van has helped him
0:02:37 > 0:02:40double the hotel's capacity as the popularity
0:02:40 > 0:02:43and demand for country music has increased in the town.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47# Thanks
0:02:47 > 0:02:49# Oh, thanks a lot
0:02:49 > 0:02:52# I got a broken heart... #
0:02:52 > 0:02:55This weekend the hotel has booked some of the biggest
0:02:55 > 0:02:57stars in Irish country music.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- What's the story of the weekend? - Very busy.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Fully booked on Saturday night. No rooms left.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Are you checking the reservations to see if there are any cancellations?
0:03:07 > 0:03:10We have to ring round. We have a cancellation list there.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19# It's many years ago now since I left my Mayo home... #
0:03:19 > 0:03:23One country fan with a reservation for the bank holiday is
0:03:23 > 0:03:26accomplished dancer Sandra from County Mayo.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29I'm just packing now because myself
0:03:29 > 0:03:32and my good friend Aoiffe are heading up to the Allingham tonight.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34We're going to try to get a good night's jiving in.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36It's all about the dance for us.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39We want to take a road trip up north and see what's happening up there.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42In fact, she is so into the country music dancing that she has
0:03:42 > 0:03:44become something of an authority on it.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47I suppose I have a big passion for country music.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49And I took this passion just one step further
0:03:49 > 0:03:52and I've actually wrote a thesis on country music.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57So... I studied Irish music and dance in college, it was my degree.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01And I decided to focus in on country music for my final project,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03my thesis.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08One of the things I talked about was how up the north, the jive is one of
0:04:08 > 0:04:10the predominant dances,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13whereas down the south we're more into our waltz, foxtrot, quick-step.
0:04:13 > 0:04:14We still do the jive
0:04:14 > 0:04:18but as you travel north in the country, the jive gets a lot
0:04:18 > 0:04:21faster, a lot quicker and there's a lot more tricks going on in it.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23So that was one of the things that I zoned in on.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26It's not unusual for Sandra and friend Aoiffe to travel
0:04:26 > 0:04:30hundreds of miles in search of a good country night out.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34And this weekend's trip to Bundoran is all about getting a jive
0:04:34 > 0:04:37with those legendary fast northern dancers.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39For me, it's really exciting to be part of all this.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42Five, six years ago people wouldn't have thought that this was
0:04:42 > 0:04:43the way it would be.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Some of my friends still think it's mad that young people go to these things.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49- Don't forget your handbag.- I think that's everything now.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I love going every weekend, it's part of me at this stage.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56I'm always at country music things and talking country music
0:04:56 > 0:04:58and it's just so enjoyable and I'm just so glad to be
0:04:58 > 0:05:02part of this generation that is going to country dances.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13With a full house of country fans like Sandra and Aoiffe expected,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Peter gathers his team to ensure the weekend runs smoothly.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19I know it's coming to the end of the season, guys,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22and we had a massive summer and we're all tired at this stage.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25But one last final push for this weekend.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28What's the story? How's it going today?
0:05:28 > 0:05:31I'm going to need a few more staff in if that's OK?
0:05:31 > 0:05:32That's all checked out.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34And I'm going to have to up this order a wee bit.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Kevin, this is Peter Mac here. How's it going?
0:05:36 > 0:05:38In the front bar, how are you fixed?
0:05:38 > 0:05:40We have all our stock, got everything ordered.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41Got everything coming in.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44There will be no problem having everything stocked, ready to go.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47When we get this weekend over, when we come to Tuesday, guys,
0:05:47 > 0:05:49we'll have a good shindig.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- And the drinks are on you? - I don't mind.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53LAUGHTER
0:05:53 > 0:05:55I'll be glad. The pressure's off then.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06One person who knows the town better than most is Lauren Savage.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10She combines her busy PR job at Belfast International Airport
0:06:10 > 0:06:12with her love of country music.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15- Where are you at this weekend? - I'm heading to the Allingham Arms.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- What's on there? - Country music, Mark.- OK.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- It's the home of country music. - You're all into your country music.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- Aye.- You're a bid Daniel O'Donnell fan, aren't you?
0:06:24 > 0:06:26No, Johnny Brady I'm into.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30Younger crowd, Johnny Brady, Mike Denver, Nathan Carter,
0:06:30 > 0:06:31that sort of crowd.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- Who's all going there with you? - There's 21 of us going, actually.
0:06:34 > 0:06:35Friends or what?
0:06:35 > 0:06:39No, family - Granny, Grandad, aunties, uncles, Mummy,
0:06:39 > 0:06:40Daddy, cousins.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- Is your family all into country? - The whole family.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45# Cos I got my baby
0:06:45 > 0:06:47# My baby's back. #
0:06:47 > 0:06:48For over 20 years, Lauren
0:06:48 > 0:06:52and her family have been regulars at the hotel.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55And they never miss the big August bank holiday weekend.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58It's time to spend together, enjoy the music and, of course,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01all of them like a jive.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02Well, there is one exception.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Yous all get up and dance now?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07I can't dance now but I'm going to have to learn.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Cos everybody does it
0:07:08 > 0:07:11and I feel a bit out of place just sitting on the sideline.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15I guess I don't jive because I just feel a bit intimidated that
0:07:15 > 0:07:19some of the dancers are so good. My auntie and uncle are fantastic.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20They learned to jive years ago.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23They met at the Allingham and now they're married.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25And my brother, he's jiving. My wee brother,
0:07:25 > 0:07:27he's only 17 and he's into it.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30So I suppose I just need to learn, catch up with them.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33She's given herself the bank holiday weekend to get her dancing
0:07:33 > 0:07:35skills up to scratch.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Definitely as I get older, I do feel like I'm missing
0:07:37 > 0:07:40out on some of the experience. Dancing is a big part of it.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43You know, you go there and everyone else is dancing.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I do want to get up and dance.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47I want to be part of that.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49# Cos I got my baby back, yeah! #
0:07:51 > 0:07:54# Yeah, Las Vegas and the hills of Donegal... #
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Long before the Savage family started jiving in Bundoran it
0:07:58 > 0:08:01was a town where the Irish loved to let their hair down.
0:08:01 > 0:08:0452 years ago I came here on my honeymoon.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Bed and breakfast, four-course dinner
0:08:06 > 0:08:09and evening meal was 60 cents.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14In 1777 the first holiday home was built in the beautiful
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Donegal seaside town and then came a rush of hotels and holiday-makers.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Since then the town has been a favourite coastal
0:08:23 > 0:08:27destination for visitors of all ages, from north and south.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Along with its beaches, the town quickly became known
0:08:33 > 0:08:37as a place to find a good dance from the ballrooms to the seafront.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41The Allingham Arms has been receiving guests
0:08:41 > 0:08:45since the 1900s but with the country music revival it has become
0:08:45 > 0:08:48one of the town's best-known dancing destinations.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Someone who has heard of the hotel's reputation is veteran dancer
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Pat Fern from County Armagh.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00This 71-year-old is coming to Bundoran for the first time
0:09:00 > 0:09:02this weekend.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03I love dancing.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07And I particularly love dancing with my partner, sort of...
0:09:07 > 0:09:09We've been together 30-odd years
0:09:09 > 0:09:12and it's a common ground we've had for all that time
0:09:12 > 0:09:15and when things aren't going too well, a night's dancing
0:09:15 > 0:09:19builds a lot of bridges that might be in the process of falling down.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21# Hey, baby, let's go for a ride
0:09:21 > 0:09:24# Let's take the Chevy to the countryside... #
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Pat's partner Ruth lives in England but that doesn't stop
0:09:27 > 0:09:30the couple dancing at venues throughout Ireland.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34So when it came to a present, she knew exactly what to buy him.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37These are a pair of boots that Ruth bought for me.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41They're made by the last bootmaker in Ireland in Belfast.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44And the main thing about them is they have leather soles.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46It's the leather sole on the part of your foot that
0:09:46 > 0:09:50comes in contact with the dance floor that's important to
0:09:50 > 0:09:52have right in dancing boots.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55# Dancing in the moonlight... #
0:09:55 > 0:09:57But Pat doesn't have to wait
0:09:57 > 0:10:00until Saturday night to get his dancing shoes on.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04He's built his own dance floor based on one of his favourites.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07The best dance floor I ever danced on and reputedly the best
0:10:07 > 0:10:10dance floor in Ireland was the City Hall, Armagh.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12That was a sprung dance floor.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15The building has since gone but with a bit of clever home
0:10:15 > 0:10:19engineering, Pat has been able to recreate the experience.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22The thrill that I get out of this is the feeling you get of
0:10:22 > 0:10:24dancing on a fully sprung floor.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28The thing about the dance floor is the energy and the rhythm.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31You get the dance floor dancing with you and it's dancing back with you.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33And it's lifting you.
0:10:33 > 0:10:34Whoo!
0:10:34 > 0:10:37And if you're dancing with a partner,
0:10:37 > 0:10:38lifting her at the same time.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43Lifting the two of yous together and what could be better than that?
0:10:43 > 0:10:47More fun than you can have with your clothes on anywhere else.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Pat's nimble footwork has graced many dance floors
0:10:53 > 0:10:57but he has realised there's one he still hasn't tried out.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Ruth and I have danced up and down the east coast.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Some place we have never tried out on the Irish scene,
0:11:03 > 0:11:05we haven't been down the west coast.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09The first test I'm going to have to pass, is it a good dance floor?
0:11:16 > 0:11:20It's the Friday of the big weekend and the dance floor is ready.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23The staff are making last-minute preparations for the weekend's
0:11:23 > 0:11:24full house.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27I'm afraid I don't actually have anything available
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- on Saturday night.- Pressure's always on, it's the Allingham.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33I'm coming in for the weekend.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Over at Belfast International Airport, Pat has arrived to
0:11:41 > 0:11:44collect his partner Ruth who is flying in from England
0:11:44 > 0:11:48especially for their dancing voyage of discovery up the west coast.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50I'm set, ready to go.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54I know that she's set because I hear she's arriving with a new
0:11:54 > 0:11:56dress especially for the occasion.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59When a woman buys a new dress, you know she's interested
0:11:59 > 0:12:02because she's committed. I'm looking forward to seeing that.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06I hear it's a black one so we'll see, little black dress.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11For Pat and Ruth, dancing has always been central to their relationship.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14We met at a dance and dancing has always been important to us
0:12:14 > 0:12:16and Saturday night dancing was the thing that held us
0:12:16 > 0:12:18together for as long as it did.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22We've been going out with each other from around about the early '80s.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Ruth arrives and Pat is keen to get her,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28and her new black dress, on their way.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31This weekend we're going to have a full weekend's dancing.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34If we can manage it. We're not even going to stop off on the way home.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35We're gong straight up to Bundoran
0:12:35 > 0:12:37and the weekend starts here, yep.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Sandra and Aoiffe are on the road from Mayo
0:12:42 > 0:12:45and hope that among the hundreds of hotel guests expected over
0:12:45 > 0:12:49the big weekend, they'll find some quick, young dance partners.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- I'm getting excited now. - And my favourite song.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Do you ever drive the car, one handed drive?
0:12:57 > 0:13:00MUSIC: Dreamer and Believers by Derek Ryan
0:13:03 > 0:13:06# Another night of playing in the boondocks
0:13:07 > 0:13:10# Another night of crying in our beer. #
0:13:10 > 0:13:14At reception the staff are kept busy as guests check in.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16There are new faces, like Pat and Ruth, who have
0:13:16 > 0:13:18arrived from the airport.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20You're with us for two nights, bed and breakfast.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Yes, we're here for the dance.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24# Down the ol' white line to fame and fortune... #
0:13:26 > 0:13:29We're really mad, mad busy. Everyone's coming in to reception.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32And the phone is ringing off the hook.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39And there are hotel regulars like Lauren's family, the Savages...
0:13:39 > 0:13:41all 21 of them.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- There's Danny now.- He's having a ride.- I thought you weren't coming.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46Did you break down?
0:13:47 > 0:13:50# Another night of so-called tour engagements... #
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- Might be two engagements tonight. - Huh?
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Might be two engagements tonight. We might get proposed to.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00# Half the band don't talk to one another... #
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Last but not least, Johnny Brady,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06one headline act playing this weekend is setting up.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08I just love going out to gigs. I love being in a band.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10We love playing the country music.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13The dancers come and say that they love dancing and it's all ages
0:14:13 > 0:14:15and we're happy to be involved in it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18We can't believe it's went to that level.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20I'm getting excited now, actually.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Yep, definitely.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24# Don't ask me what it is or what it means. #
0:14:27 > 0:14:30One of the first stops for many guests is the bar, where
0:14:30 > 0:14:34barmen Dave and Kamel will be looking after them during the weekend.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Bottle of Bud and a glass of wine. White or red?
0:14:37 > 0:14:40What's it like working here? It's pretty good... Oh, and messy sometimes!
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Really busy, you know? All the time, busy. All the time, busy.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49They'll have their hands full this weekend keeping the drinks
0:14:49 > 0:14:51flowing and the customers happy.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- Here you are.- How are you? Good to see you again.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Kamel knows every name of every person that comes here. Ever.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03Tonight we'll be serving here in the front bar around 500, 550.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Kamel settled in Ireland from Tunisia 12 years ago.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Before becoming an Irishman, country music did not figure large
0:15:09 > 0:15:10in his life.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14When I started here I had never heard of country music.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17And I never knew anything about country music.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20But after years in the Irish capital of country,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22the music has worked its magic.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25What's that favourite one of yours by Nathan Carter?
0:15:25 > 0:15:28BOTH: # Rock me, Mama, like a wagon wheel
0:15:28 > 0:15:31# Rock me, Mama, any way you feel
0:15:33 > 0:15:35# Hey, mama, rock me
0:15:38 > 0:15:42# Rock me, Mama, like the wind and the rain... #
0:15:42 > 0:15:45In the restaurant, Lauren and the Savage family are grabbing
0:15:45 > 0:15:46a bite to eat.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Over the long weekend, Lauren has set herself
0:15:49 > 0:15:52the challenge of dancing for the very first time.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Who better than family to set her on her way?
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I've been asking you for years if you would teach me.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Two of us will teach you. We'll get you up on the floor tonight.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- Maybe see if Peter will let us in on the dance floor earlier?- Yeah.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- Get a wee practice. - That would be good.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07I'm sure he will.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11Lauren's Auntie Natalie and her husband Gerard met at the hotel four
0:16:11 > 0:16:14years ago and now, one wedding, a baby
0:16:14 > 0:16:17and many jives later, they dance together at competition level.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21She's hoping if she can dance, she can meet the right man too.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23I won't be able to get one if I can't dance.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26We'll make sure you learn how to dance.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28I only need the basics so as long as I have the basics.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- That's all you need. - We'll look after you.- Definite.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Preparation is the key to success so straight after lunch, Lauren
0:16:35 > 0:16:39and her willing teachers head to the ballroom for her first ever lesson.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Time to learn a few moves now, Lauren.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- Hold on. Get these off. - Relax now, Lauren.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49We're going to show what me and my partner does here
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- and then we'd better do it with you. - OK.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00You're doing well, Lauren, well done!
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- Take a while.- I'm a natural.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06It only gets harder now.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Lauren gets stuck in and seems to take to the moves well.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Maybe after all this time, she just had to find her dancing feet.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- I'll be lucky tonight, anyway. - You'll get that man, Lauren.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25I've been begging them for ages to give me some lessons
0:17:25 > 0:17:28and finally they did tonight and it's easier than I thought.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30I love it now. I'm just going to take the shoes off.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I think that's what it was before.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34She's got the moves
0:17:34 > 0:17:37and now she'll have to pick her moment to try them
0:17:37 > 0:17:38on the dance floor.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Keen to get dancing, fans are queuing two hours before tonight's
0:17:43 > 0:17:45live show.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Upstairs, Sandra and Aoiffe are getting ready and like Lauren,
0:17:48 > 0:17:51have given some thought to their footwear.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54I dance in heels and Aoiffe dances in flats.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56That's just a preference, I suppose.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57I'm an Irish dancer so I'm
0:17:57 > 0:18:01so used to being up on my toes anyway that I always wear heels.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03It's only their second time in Bundoran
0:18:03 > 0:18:05but they are likely to run into some familiar faces.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09We've made friends from Donegal and everywhere just from country music.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11In dancing you get to know those younger people
0:18:11 > 0:18:13and then the contact starts. "Are you going to this dance?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15"Are you going to this dance?"
0:18:15 > 0:18:17And you get to know so many people that way.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19And they are in no doubt they're in the right place to
0:18:19 > 0:18:21up their game at jiving.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24I think in the north they're learning different moves
0:18:24 > 0:18:26and different tricks, if you want to call them that.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29It's always a bit more challenging to try new dance moves.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Keen to learn those new dance moves, Sandra and Aoiffe
0:18:37 > 0:18:40join the queue downstairs. But with only a few minutes to go
0:18:40 > 0:18:44until doors open, Pat has sneaked his way into the dance
0:18:44 > 0:18:47hall during the sound check to get a feel for the floor.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55It's a great dance floor but it's not a great sprung floor.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59It's a non-sprung floor but I'll tell you what, it's a lovely space.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01I think Ruth will really like this.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04MUSIC: Give Me One More Chance by Johnny Brady
0:19:11 > 0:19:13# Won't you give me just one more chance?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16# Maybe we can make a little romance
0:19:16 > 0:19:20# No reason why you and me can't get it back together like we used to be
0:19:20 > 0:19:22# Gimme, gimme, gimme just another try
0:19:22 > 0:19:24# Can't have you, I'm going to die
0:19:24 > 0:19:25# Give me one more chance
0:19:27 > 0:19:29# Give me one more chance
0:19:30 > 0:19:32# Do you remember...? #
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Leading country artist Johnny Brady is headlining Saturday night
0:19:36 > 0:19:38and the crowd are quick to fill the floor.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42# You were my confidant... #
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Sandra and Aoiffe start the night dancing with each other
0:19:45 > 0:19:48but soon they're on the lookout for northern lads with some new moves.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- Some really good jivers. - Really good jivers.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55He was at the championships before.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59And the northern lads aren't backward in coming forward.
0:19:59 > 0:20:05- Like to dance?- Hello. How are you? - Do you want to dance?- OK.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11# Won't you give me just one more chance?
0:20:11 > 0:20:13# Maybe we can make a little romance
0:20:13 > 0:20:18# No reason why you and me can't get it back together like we used to be
0:20:18 > 0:20:20# Gimme, gimme, gimme just another try
0:20:20 > 0:20:22# Can't have you... #
0:20:22 > 0:20:24On the other side of the dance floor, Aoiffe has also bagged
0:20:24 > 0:20:28an accomplished mover all of her own.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29# Get down on the bank of that river
0:20:29 > 0:20:32# Bank of that river that's what I want to do
0:20:32 > 0:20:34# Go round and round on the bank of that river
0:20:34 > 0:20:37# You loving on me Me loving on you. #
0:20:37 > 0:20:40The girls from County Mayo have soon made new friends on
0:20:40 > 0:20:41and off the dance floor.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47It's judgment time on the northern jivers.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- All the lads were really good jivers.- They really were.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- Really fast jives. - We enjoyed dancing with them all.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- It was really good.- Really good.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03- Jiving.- Waltz, foxtrot. - You did foxtrot.- I did a quick-step.
0:21:03 > 0:21:04More jives.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07- We did five or six... - A bit of everything.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Everything there is to do with country music, we kind of did.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- We did do it all.- But mostly jives.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16And what do the northern jivers think of their dance partners?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18I thought I'd never dance with a girl from Mayo
0:21:18 > 0:21:20but I'm glad I started to dance with them.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Can't wait for them to come back. Two good jivers, I have to say.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27As I said, "Aoiffe, you're the first woman from Mayo that made me sweat."
0:21:27 > 0:21:30The two of them made me sweat, in fairness.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34# Hillbilly bone-ba-bone-ba-bone-bone
0:21:34 > 0:21:36# Hillbilly bone-ba-bone-ba-bone-bone. #
0:21:38 > 0:21:39A crowded dance floor
0:21:39 > 0:21:42and bar is always a welcome sight for hotel owner Peter.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46He knows how to keep his customers happy.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48# I got a friend in New York City... #
0:21:48 > 0:21:52There are even some free drinks going around too.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53They're all regulars of mine.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56They've been coming here for 24, 25 years.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58So they come most Saturday nights.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Go around Saturday night and try to meet them all.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08The country fans are dancing the night away...
0:22:08 > 0:22:12and in the thick of it Pat and Ruth are getting stuck in.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14While they didn't find the sprung dance floor Pat wanted,
0:22:14 > 0:22:18after 30 years of dancing together the growing popularity
0:22:18 > 0:22:22of country music has given their nights out a new lease of life.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27It's Saturday night. It's a social get-together.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30You dance with your partner, you dance with your friends
0:22:30 > 0:22:32and neighbours, you dance with the community.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34# Got a hillbilly bone down deep inside... #
0:22:34 > 0:22:38The worst thing is to go somewhere where nobody dances.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- The fact that everybody's dancing... - That's what social dancing is about.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45Get together and get together on the dance floor.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48What brings them together on the dance floor is good music.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50That's what you had there tonight. I enjoyed that.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Their first night dancing in Bundoran has been a great
0:22:53 > 0:22:55success for Pat and Ruth.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- So far.- I've enjoyed it that much that I'm wrecked.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01I have to get home and get into my...
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- Sorry?- I'm wrecked, Ruth.
0:23:05 > 0:23:10- Really?- Did you not notice?- No. I'm not, so that's...- I know.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12# Hillbilly bone-ba-bone-ba-bone-bone
0:23:12 > 0:23:14# Hillbilly bone-ba-bone-ba-bone-bone. #
0:23:25 > 0:23:27It's the morning after the night before and
0:23:27 > 0:23:31while some are taking in the sea air on the Atlantic seafront...
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- Good night.- That was a great night. It was a good night.- Seriously.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Yeah. And now I can contemplate the sea.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41..in the kitchen things are hotting up for another busy day.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44# I'm going to be a hard act to follow
0:23:44 > 0:23:47# If you keep coming a-coming on. #
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Saturday night was a great success for the hotel team.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55Ahead lies the legendary Sunday feasting with 800 mouths to be fed.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59This weekend 90% of them are country music fans.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02These guys, they want good, hearty food.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Roast beef, roast lamb, roast pork, stuffed turkey and ham.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Roast chicken breast, keep it nice and simple.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10They want to keep coming back. That's what country fans want.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13If they're not going to get it they'll not be long telling us,
0:24:13 > 0:24:14I tell you that.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Order for table 14, two turkey and ham, one beef and gravy away,
0:24:18 > 0:24:19please.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Getting all that food to the hungry country fans needs a family
0:24:22 > 0:24:25team effort and Peter's son Sean is out front serving.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28I just help Dad with the food, you know?
0:24:28 > 0:24:32And I have girls there taking orders. Yeah, we're flat out.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35It's the best way to be.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41Once the music starts, the kitchen staff can relax.
0:24:41 > 0:24:46# I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
0:24:46 > 0:24:50# I keep my eyes wide open all the time... #
0:24:51 > 0:24:55In the packed ballroom, Mike Denver rolls out his country hits
0:24:55 > 0:24:58and the Savages are enjoying themselves on the floor too.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02But will Lauren finally have the confidence to join them?
0:25:05 > 0:25:06With Auntie Natalie
0:25:06 > 0:25:10and Uncle Gerard's encouragement, Lauren takes to the dance floor.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13I love this song.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15# Some girls won't
0:25:15 > 0:25:17# Some girls need a lot of loving
0:25:17 > 0:25:19# And some girls don't
0:25:20 > 0:25:23# But I know I've got the fever
0:25:23 > 0:25:25# But I don't know why
0:25:25 > 0:25:29# Some say they will and some girls lie. #
0:25:29 > 0:25:32After years of sitting out the jive, Lauren is dancing at a country
0:25:32 > 0:25:35music gig for the very first time.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Hey!
0:25:40 > 0:25:42That was brilliant.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45I'm puffed.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46It's good!
0:25:47 > 0:25:50The first hurdle out of the way, Lauren's fear of the dance
0:25:50 > 0:25:54floor has been overcome with a little help from her family.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57But she isn't ready to leave the dance floor now.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59She's having too much fun.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03So the next question is, can she take it to the next level
0:26:03 > 0:26:05and dance with a complete stranger?
0:26:05 > 0:26:07MUSIC: I've Got A Funny Feeling by George Strait
0:26:10 > 0:26:14# Well, my baby's wearing a permanent smile... #
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Go easy on me.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23# I ain't had no raise, fulfilled any dreams... #
0:26:23 > 0:26:25But despite being in at the deep end,
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Lauren seems to be keeping up well.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29# I got a funny feeling
0:26:29 > 0:26:33# Somebody's stealing my honey. #
0:26:33 > 0:26:35It's taken off for the girl from the airport.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Lauren's new life as a bona fide country dancer is properly underway.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44I have a lot to learn.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47As the Allingham's summer season draws to an end, the packed
0:26:47 > 0:26:50bank holiday weekend is proof that Peter was
0:26:50 > 0:26:52right about the draw of country music.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55I struggled for years and years and years here
0:26:55 > 0:26:59to build it up and we got to meet people and it's all about people
0:26:59 > 0:27:04and, you know, you can't do nothing unless you have punters coming in.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06We try to look after them, new and old.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12The guests certainly appear to be grateful for the gamble Peter
0:27:12 > 0:27:17took 21 years ago to create his Hotel Country.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20# Like Coca-Cola and Hollywood
0:27:21 > 0:27:26# Mickey Mouse and Johnny B Goode
0:27:26 > 0:27:29# Like dear old Glory
0:27:29 > 0:27:31# And my Chevrolet
0:27:31 > 0:27:34# Hey, you and me, baby
0:27:34 > 0:27:36# We're here to stay... #
0:27:36 > 0:27:39And it turns out that hotel regular Lauren isn't the only one
0:27:39 > 0:27:43who has been shy of the dance floor in the past.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46In those 21 seasons of running country dance nights, Peter
0:27:46 > 0:27:49too has managed to stay off the floor.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53But there seems to be something in the air tonight.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56Peter takes to his own dance floor for the very first time.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06# Hey, you and me, baby, we're here to stay
0:28:06 > 0:28:12# You and me, baby, we're here to stay. #