Hundreds of young people, in houses across Dublin city, suburbs, and beyond. Some married, some dating, many single. Grabbing handbags and throwing on glad-rags, heading out for a night of dancing, singing and hanging out with friends.
Most in their teens or twenties, the images below capture bright eyes and eager smiles, faces filled with promise.
For more than four decades, survivors and relatives have pursued their relentless quest for justice for the 48 people who lost their lives when the Stardust was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Valentines Day, 1981.
The youngest victim was just 16 years old. The oldest was 27.
More than 200 others sustained sometimes life-changing physical injuries.
No-one escaped the psychological trauma inflicted by the events of that night. Survivors, loved ones, and an entire nation were left bewildered and stunned by the scale of the devastation.
The loss of life was catastrophic, incomprehensible, and seared the tragedy into the consciousness of – not one, but – several generations.
Families across the island mourned, but the heaviest blow was dealt to the communities in and around the Stardust, for whom the club was a fixture, and who lost dozens of their children in the blaze.
The names of those young people who’s lives were cut short that February night are recorded below.
