‘Bigger and better’ Plaza  to reopen five years after devastating fire 

Buncrana Plaza’s “old” hall will officially reopen to the public this Saturday 9 March with a children’s event in the afternoon. 
The reopening follows years of hard work rebuilding the Plaza after a devastating fire in February 2019. The ferocity of the blaze meant 40 firefighters from Donegal and Derry fought throughout the night to bring it under control. 

The ballroom and the John Barr drapery shop next door on Buncrana’s Main Street were destroyed in the blaze. The closure of the building was described as a huge loss for Buncrana.  

However, local people can now rejoice in the restoration of their beloved Plaza thanks to the hard work of the local community and manager Ursula McDaid.

“The venue was restored with funding from the building’s insurance, which was granted nine months after the fire. Plans are underway to restore the venue fully to its former glory, but the old dance hall, as we refer to it, is now almost ready for use”, confirmed Ursula.      

“We have now replaced the balcony in the large hall. It’s not possible to give a date for the reopening of the large hall yet, but it is hoped it will be within the next 18 months.”     

The newly revamped building will eventually include all the previous facilities - the large hall and a hall for a drop-in centre for youth, as well as the old hall which is about to reopen. 

“It’s a more modern building now – but bigger and better. We’ve had a fantastic response to the reopening – everyone is over the moon.”  

The ballroom celebrated its sixtieth anniversary in 2018. It was popular during the late 1950s and 1960s, with many major stars and bands performing there.         

The small “old” hall was built in about 1948, and the large hall was added in the late 1950s. This hall contained the famous sprung floor. 

In pictures: Style in plentiful supply at Scoil Mhuire Buncrana fashion show

The Inishowen Gateway Hotel in Buncrana played host to the Scoil Mhuire Buncrana fashion show on Friday night

The Plaza was bought and renovated as a community project in 2005.

“It opened up for various events like Strictly Come Dancing, boxing tournaments, and Stars In Your Eyes as a fundraiser for local schools. Buncrana Children’s Charity did their events here too. It was the main venue for the local community. The whole of Inishowen used the Plaza as a large fundraising event.

“Most events were in the evenings – you had the dance classes, fitness classes, and youth drop-in downstairs.” 

Ursula’s involvement in the Plaza began in October 2005 when she was asked to come in to help out. Ursula taught line dancing and jiving with up to 80 in each class.  She had the idea of holding a fundraiser for Buncrana Respite Centre, and it was a great success. 

“The following week I was approached by someone on the committee to help - and I’ve been here since,” said Ursula.     

The fire began on Sunday, 3 February, 2019 when Ursula had closed up after a children’s party.                                                                                                     

“I received a phone call from a friend passing through the town to say there was a fire in Ferris’ Lane next door to the Plaza. I made my way back into the town to find that the fire was in John Barr’s clothes shop. The fire brigade landed at the same time, fought the fire and had it under control.  A short while after, there was a large gas explosion in the shop and the fire made its way down the clothes shop into the Plaza.   

“It was devastating for the whole community. But thanks to the rest of the local halls in Buncrana – St Mary's Hall, Desertegney Parish Hall, Cockhill Community Hall the Boys Club, we were able to get up and running again with classes, birthday parties and smallish events.”

Ursula feels the loss has had a big impact on the local community since. 

“There wasn’t another venue as big for larger fundraising events of different organisations in the whole of Inishowen. The horseshoe balcony was the beautiful part of the Plaza, and it was famous for the sprung oak floor which everybody loved dancing on.

“Fortunately, due to the work of the fire brigade, the original sprung floor was actually saved.”                                                

Line dancers from Ursula’s class about their memories of the hall, and the sprung floor was fondly remembered. “You could dance all night and feel nothing the next day,” said one.                                                                                                                                 

“We’d like to thank everybody in the community for all their support,” Ursula continued. 

“When the fire happened, the support we got from the local community was absolutely out of this world. I also want to thank the Buncrana and Derry fire brigades, our local gardaí and our local councillors for the help they gave us in the days and weeks following the disaster. “ concluded Ursula.                                                                        

Anyone who wishes to enquire about events or make a booking can contact Ursula on 0877538317.