Entertainment « Thurles Information

37th Co. Tipperary Drama Festival Under Way In Holycross.

Author, Poet and Press Correspondent Mr Tom Ryan Reports.

There was palpable excitement in the air last Friday night, when the celebrated actress of stage screen and television, Adjudicator, Ms. Anna Walker [Association of Drama Adjudicators], officially opened the 37th annual County Tipperary Open Drama Festival, which was last held two years ago in pre-Covid times.

This festival “rooted in the community” of Holycross/Ballycahill, has been a feature of life in the picturesque village, alongside of the 800 years old Cistercian Abbey, for nigh on 40 years and for almost all that time Mr. Donal Duggan has been its very effective Festival Director.

However, there was added an unexpected drama off stage this year, when the Tuesday before the Festival, the Mullingar Drama Group, who were to stage “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”, next Thursday (March 24th), had sadly to withdraw from the festival, due to circumstances outside their control, (believed to be Covid related).

But, in best traditions of theatre “the show must go on”, and instead the Abbeysiders; latter the host group of the festival and the All-Ireland Confined Champions of 2019, opted to stage their own production of John B Keane’s popular “Moll”, on next Thursday night (March 24th).

It was gratifying to see so many familiar festival faces, true theatre loyalists, including members of Drama Groups from Thurles and elsewhere. The attendance included David and Kate McElgunn, Jim Ryan and comedian Tim Curran (Thurles); Han Costello, (Inch); her sister Esther Duggan; Denis Carroll, (Clonoulty); Pat McGrath, (Holycross); Fintan and Frances O‘Gorman, (Athnid), and Mike and Breda Hennessy, (Tipp Mid West Radio, Tipperary Town).

The Festival committee, held their traditional raffle [in which this writer won a box of chocolates]. They also had their traditional tearooms open at the interval, as an excellent thriller, “The Beacon”, by Nancy Harris was played on stage by the Ballycogley Players.

Festival life has returning to normal in the St. Michael’s Community Hall, Holycross, Co. Tipperary and it was such a nice feeling after all the trauma of the recent years, experienced locally and nationwide.
As Mr. Donal Duggan stated, “The drama festival brings a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and will help us to move from the dark days of Covid to the healthier, brighter and longer days of Spring“.

The hospitality of Holycross, Co. Tipperary, is well known and it is great to see old friendships being renewed and new ones made, during the interval “over that cuppa”.

Mr. Duggan thanked patrons and sponsors, the local media and particularly Tipp FM.

The hard working committee, who deserve to be congratulated on their trojan efforts, comprised this year of Rev. Celsus Tierney (President), Donal Duggan (Festival Director), Tommy Lanigan (Chairman), Claire Ryan (Secretary), Maudie Bourke and Tommy Lanigan (Joint Treasurers), Geraldine O’Neill (PRO), Marty O’Neill and Ger O’Dwyer (sponsorship), Diana Lacey (Raffle), Marty O’Neill and Paddy Connolly (Technical), and Marie Spillane, Peg Ryan, Elaine O’Dwyer, Andy Slattery (Committee).
The Sub-Committee comprised of Jack Henchion, John Glasheen, Aishling Henchion, Gerry Kennedy and Derek Doherty.

Groups are competing for the “Tipperary Star” Cup in the Confined Section and the “Tipp FM Trophy” in the Open Category.

The Festival continues tonight (Tuesday, March 22nd), with “The Beauty Queen of Leenane”, by Martin McDonagh, played by Brideview Drama group.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 23rd) will be staged “The Quiet Moment” by Mick Finn (Kilworth DG.).
As already stated, on Thursday next (March 24th) the Holycross/Ballycahill Drama Group will stage “Moll”, [Note, which is not competing in this years Festival competition].
On Friday (March 25th), Skibbereen Theatre Society will stage “Brighton” by Jim Nolan
On the final night, Saturday, (March 26th), Camross Drama Group will conclude this festival fare with Jimmy Murphy’s much-loved “The Kings of Kilburn High Road”.

This will be followed by final adjudication and presentation of awards.

Mr Donal Duggan, who welcomed Ms Anna Walker on her first visit to Holycross, Co. Tipperary; on a poignant note said “Covid took a heavy toll on people and drama did not escape, as we lost one of our founding members, Tom Molony and also Joe and Sally O’Rourke, who were all involved with our local group for many years”.
The late Tom Molony was Chairman of the Festival, after it moved to its new home in Holycross, from Thurles in 1983 and he served on the committee for many years. He was one of the early members of the group and played parts in many plays over the years. “He will be remembered for his readily given advice, tempered with his ready wit”, continued Mr. Duggan.

He further added “I wish to thank our hardworking committee for their time and dedication to the festival which we all love”.

In thanking Tipp FM local radio, he also thanked and welcomed back the audience, “whose presence and support for live drama encourages us to keep trying to improve the festival each year“.

Turn! Turn! Turn!

The lyrics hereunder written by Pete Seeger’s song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” were taken almost word for word from the Bible (Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The only words Pete Seeger added were “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “I swear it’s not too late.”

Turn, Turn, Turn.

Lyrics by American folk singer and social activist, the late Pete Seeger, [1919 – 2014].

To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
To everything (turn, turn, turn)
There is a season (turn, turn, turn)
And a time to every purpose, under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late

Death Of “The Irish R.M.” Star Peter Bowles.

Actor Peter Bowles in the role of
Major Sinclair Yeates, **in *“The Irish R.M.”* [1983–1985]**

Star of “The Irish R.M.”, and author Mr Peter Bowles has sadly died from cancer, yesterday March 16th, at the age of 85 years.
The actor whose career began with RADA at the Old Vic is survived by wife of some 60 years Sue, together with his three children Guy, Adam and Sasha.

The well-known and much loved charismatic actor of stage and screen will possibly be best remembered, playing the character of ‘Mr Richard DeVere’, starring opposite Penelope Keith as ‘Ms Margo Leadbetter’, in the smash-hit sitcom, “To The Manor Born”, which saw audiences of some 20 million viewers during its twenty-one episodes.

Starting his career at the Old Vic Theatre in 1956, he starred in 45 theatrical productions retiring at the age of 81 in “The Exorcist” at the Phoenix Theatre, having worked consistently on stage and screen, as the typical English gent, wearing a trademark moustache, in the British sitcoms including, “Only When I Laugh”, “The Bounder” and the TV drama “Lytton’s Diary”, which he devised himself.

From 1958 – 2021, Mr Bowles starred in some 42 films and well over 100 Television series, as well as receiving awards & honours including: – RADA Scholarship (1954); Madge Kendal Prize (1955); ITV Personality of the Year (1983); Male Comedy Star Award (1983); The Golden Gate Award (San Francisco International Film Festival, 1993) and an Hon. Doctor of Letters (Nottingham Trent University, 2002).

His book titles include the autobiography: “Ask Me if I’m Happy” and “Behind the Curtain: The Job of Acting”.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Death Of Folk Singer & Songwriter Pete St John.

Pre-deceased by his wife, Susan, the well-known and much loved Irish singer and songwriter Mr Pete St John has sadly, passed away, while in the care of staff at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, yesterday, Saturday March 12th, 2022.

Aged in his 90th year, Mr St John is survived by two sons.

Born Peter Mooney in 1932, the folk musician is best known here in Ireland and internationally, for writing the well known songs which include ‘The Rare Ould Times’, ‘The Ferryman’, ‘The Fields of Athenry'(1979), ‘Ringsend Rose’ and perhaps the lesser known ‘Waltzing on Borrowed Time’. His award-winning work has been recorded by numerous musicians, including ‘The Dubliners’, ‘Paddy Reilly’, ‘Brendan Grace’, ‘James Last’, ‘Brendan Shine’, ‘Dublin City Ramblers’, ‘Danny Doyle’ and ‘Mary Black’.

The Dublin-born musician worked abroad as a young man both in Canada and in the US, hence many of his songs reflect on how his home town had become a city and regretted the loss of two symbols of old Dublin; namely Nelson’s Pillar and the Metropole Ballroom; following his return in the 1970s.

Winner of several awards, Mr St. John was winner of the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) “Irish Songwriter of the Year” award.

Residents of Co. Tipperary joins with friends and fans in offering their condolences to his extended family.

In ár gcroíthe go deo.

Cashel Library To Celebrate International Women’s Day On March 8th

Ms Maura Barrett, (Branch Librarian at Cashel Library) Reports On International Women’s Day.

Cashel Library, here in Co. Tipperary, will celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th next, beginning sharp at 7:00pm, with a free celebration of Ceol, Craic, Coffee and Cake.

This free event embracing the International Women’s Day campaign theme: #BreakTheBias showcases songs, story and music from the best talent in the region. Featuring the noted Journalist, Lecturer and champion for gender equality Tom Clonan, latter who has spent a lifetime fighting for Gender Equality, Disability Rights and the most vulnerable in Irish Society.

Ms Maura Barrett, (Branch Librarian in Cashel Library) and co-ordinator of this event, says it kick starts a number of #BreakTheBias themed events that the library will host in 2022 with schools, community groups and patrons.
“I am very excited about this celebration” says Maura, “It is so wonderful to be able to celebrate women’s achievements and very fitting that libraries play their part in actively breaking the bias that women continue to experience. We were mid-way through Mná Month back in 2020 when the Covid Pandemic scuppered things. It is very fitting that we can now pick up the baton again in 2022, in a renewed way, beginning with a celebration.”

This promises to be a jolly event with poetry and singing, jesting and joviality and there will be coffee and tea and some cake too.

The event is delighted to feature Singer/Songwriter Eileen Condon; Poet Orla Hennessy; Writers Eileen Hennigan and Bernie Coniry; Actors Will Condon and Sheila Lannigan; Mythical Tales/Stroyteller and Druid Eimear O’Brien and many others, adding to what will be a most entertaining night.

Do Please Note: Places are limited for this free event, so do ‘Repondez, s’il vous plaît’ (RSVP) to Tel: 062 63825 quickly, to avoid disappointment.

* International Women’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8th to commemorate the cultural, political, and socio-economic achievements of women.
The day also marks a call for action for accelerating women’s equality.