Music « Thurles Information

Dónal Ó Céilleachair To Visit Cabragh Wetlands

“The Camino Voyage”; a film, described by the Dingle Film Festival as “Enchanting, Inspiring and ultimately very deeply moving”, will be shown in its entirety to an assembled audience at Cabragh Wetlands on Thursday next, March 28th, at 7.30pm.

A large crowd is expected to be in attendance with an opportunity to meet film directer Mr Dónal Ó Céilleachair, latter who will answer questions regarding all aspects of the making of this unhurried, epic and soulful film.

The Camino Voyage Press Clip 6: ‘Leave a Light’ from Anú Pictures on Vimeo.

This truly heart warming, spirited documentary film tells the true story of a Writer, two Musicians, an Artist and a Stonemason, who embark on an inspiring, yet dangerous 2,500 km (some 1554 miles), journeying by sea, in a traditional boat (a currach / naomhóg) that they built themselves; rowing all the way from Ireland to Northern Spain.

THE CAMINO VOYAGE – A 2,500 km MODERN DAY CELTIC ODYSSEY from Anú Pictures on Vimeo.

Four men; poet Danny Sheehy, artist Liam Holden, musician Brendan Begley and stonemason Breandán Moriarty, set out on this journey, in three yearly stages, beginning in 2014. Musician and Academy Award winner Glen Hansard replaced Breandán Moriarty on the final leg, introducing new acquaintances to Irish song and merriment.

The very real dangers that attend such voyages were confirmed when last year, poet Danny Sheehy died when the currach / naomhóg capsized off the coast of Portugal; the film now remaining as his memorial.

Released to selected Cinemas across Ireland for just 9 weeks, this film has won numerous awards; including two “Audience Awards” from the Dingle International Film Festival and the Luxembourg British & Irish Film Season, and two “Documentary Awards” from Irish Screen America Film Festival NYC and An tOireachtas Media Awards, 2018.

Thurles resident Mr Michael Walsh [Latter who undertook the same journey on foot in 2013] and his son Ben, are both acquainted with the boats crew members and the film makers, and both confirm that this event is a major coup for Cabragh Wetlands. They are encouraging as many people as possible to attend on Thursday night. Note: A suggested contribution for this major event is just €5, with full proceeds donated, going directly to the Cabragh Wetland Development Trust.

Thurles Teenager Wows ‘Ireland’s Got Talent’ Judges

Fourteen-year-old Thurles teenager, Miss Iveta Tumasonyte not surprisingly wowed not only her audience, but more importantly the judges last night, with her rendition of Lady Gaga’s ‘I’ll Never Love Again’, from the 2018 American musical romantic film drama “A Star Is Born”, latter produced and directed by Bradley Cooper.

A truly surprised and visibly shocked Miss Tumasonyte will now go straight into the live shows having been, most deservedly, awarded a “Golden Buzzer”, by American TV personality on ‘Ireland’s Got Talent’, judge Ms Michelle Visage.

Thurles Musical Society To Stage “Michael Collins”.

**Keith O’Dwyer-Greene** *(Michael Collins)*, **Marie Therese Kirby** *(Kitty Kiernan)* and John Hayes *(Harry Boland)* – three of the leads in the show which has been described as *“The Irish Les Mis”*

PRO & Vice Chairman for Thurles Musical Society, Mr Noel Dundon, reports:-

Award winning Thurles Musical Society is delighted to be staging the Musical Drama “Michael Collins”, by arrangement with the Michael Collins Production Trust.

The show will run in The Premier Hall, Thurles from Tuesday March 26th through to Saturday March 30th inclusive, with the curtain rising each night at 8:00pm.

This truly fantastic show; described by Director Oliver Hurley as “the Irish Les Mis”, was penned by the late Bryan Flynn with musical arrangements and orchestration by David Wray, and additional vocal arrangements and original musical direction by David Hayes.

It has already been staged to great acclaim this season by Coolmine Musical Society and Oyster Lane Musical Society, and Thurles will now seek to follow in their footsteps and bring this magnificent piece of theatre to a highly expectant audiences.

Thurles and Tipperary, of course, has many connections with the real life Michael Collins and the War of Independence. Indeed, Sologheadbeg in south west Tipperary is generally accepted to have been the location for the firing the first shots of the War of Independence one centenary ago this year, and though Collins was in the United Kingdom, breaking Eamon de Valera out of jail at that time, he was to include the likes of Dan Breen, Sean Treacy and Sean Hogan as members in his hit teams; latter known as flying columns, around the country later.

Loyalties Run Deep Across Political Divides

No matter where this show is staged, there will be many local angles to it. Indeed, within the cast of Thurles Musical Society there are many links to the Michael Collins story and loyalties run deep across both sides of the political divide with currently tremendous banter and commentary within the company as pro-Collins people end up in the anti-camp, and vice-versa as a result of the bass, tenor, alto, soprano divide. Surely Bryan Flynn never anticipated such a scenario as he consigned his thoughts to paper when writing this show. Or, maybe he did?

Front Line Cast

In any event Thurles Musical Society members are really enjoying their project and with a top-class front line, which includes Keith O’Dwyer Greene as Michael Collins, Cathal O’Donoghue as Eamon de Valera, Marie Therese Kirby as Kitty Kiernan, John Hayes as Harry Boland, Peter Donnelly as Joe Emmet, Frank Tuohy, Damian Sweeney, Nina Scott and Linda Ryan as the Abbey Theatre Players, Deirdre Hayes as Mother Ireland, and Jonathan Gleeson as Cathal Brugha, not to mention many more household names playing other roles; the audience is really in for a treat.

Mary Rose McNally is at the helm as Musical Director/ Conductor while Michelle O’Connell, Tommy Sweeney, Rita Dempsey and of course Oliver Hurley complete the production team.

This musical has attracted a company of more than fifty for Thurles, and the committee and those on stage are looking forward to welcoming all those who wish to come along to enjoy what is promised to be a top class production.

Booking Office

The Ticket Booking Office is now open for this major Thurles production at Bookworm, Liberty Square, (On the junction of Liberty Square and Parnell Street in the town). Tickets can also be booked on the Thurles Society Telephone at 085 2868726.

If you do only one thing this year to cast you mind back to the time of Collins and the War of Independence, attend this show. Expect to experience a truly theatrical tour-de-force.

Phoenix Productions Go “Back to Broadway”

“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those who help us most to grow
If we let them and we help them in return.”
[ Lyrics extract from the song “For Good” – by composer Stephen Schwartz.]

M/s Miriam Callanan [Denis Kinane Motors (Honda Centre)] Reports:-

For many years here in Thurles, the youth musical theatre group, best known as ‘Phoenix Productions’ have been bringing annually to the stage, performances par excellence.

On this coming St. Patrick’s weekend 2019; in Scoil Ailbhe, for two nights only, beginning Friday March 15^th and ending on Saturday March 16^th, Phoenix Productions will give two performances, beginning sharp at 8.00pm on both nights.

“Back to Broadway”

Tickets for this show, entitled “Back to Broadway” will cost €10 for children and €12 for adults.

As the years have progressed, many of these same young Thurles performers have carried on their immense passion for music theatre and are regularly invited to join other renowned musical theatre groups and societies; household names in entertainment, from both around this country and indeed abroad, because of their undoubted talent and intimate knowledge of stage craft.

So, do come along and give them your support and encouragement, thus ensuring that such talent is continued on into the future, here in Thurles.

Seachtain na Gaeilge – Irish Music, Song & Dance At Thurles Library

Senior Library Assistant at Thurles Library; situated in Cathedral Street, Thurles, Ms Suzanne Brosnan reports:-

“Join us in Thurles Library during Seachtain na Gaeilge (English – “Irish language week”), for a ‘Coffee Morning’ on Wednesday, March 13th, at 11.00am and enjoy a great Irish Music, Song and Dance performance from the pupils of our local Gaelscoil Bhríde, Durlas Éile. Mr Jimmy Duggan will be ‘Fear an Tí’, (‘Man Of the House’ ) or Director for the session.

Looking forward to meeting you all. Everyone welcome”.

“Ag tnúth go mór bualadh libh. Beidh fáilte romhaibh.” (Irish to English translation – “Looking forward to meeting you. You are all welcome.” )

^{Note: Seachtain na Gaeilge [English – “Irish language week” ], is a non-profit organisation here in Ireland, which promotes use of the Irish language during a two-week festival held at the beginning of March every year, just before Saint Patrick’s Day, latter which is celebrated annually on March 17th.}