| 51st
Glenamaddy Drama Festival 2012 Thursday 22nd March to Saturday 31st March 2012 Adjudicator - Russell Boyce |
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"In Dreams Begin
Responsibility" The drama tradition in Glenamaddy dates back at least to the turn of the last Century. The late Biship Fergus recalling his life and time in Glenamaddy mentioned a play in the Town Hall during the troubles (War of Indepedence). Quite a few of the townlands had their own groups. For example the first Ballyhard Dramatic Society came into prominence around 1933 under P.M.Garvey. Ardeevin & Ballinastack were also rich in Drama with many dedicated players. One of the many accomodating facets of the town hall was in the refuge it provided for all the visiting "fit-up" companies like the D'Alton Players, The Bohemian Players and the Carrickfords to name but a few. The advent of the E.S.B changed the face of local play productions with a new emphasis on lights and lighting, sets and settings. Fr Jarlath Canny brought the first box set to the town. In 1959 Fr.Dooley of Kilkerrin commissioned John.L.Garvey to light his production of "All Soul's Night" in the Town Hall. John.L later wrote that "while the lighting was somewhat restricted, the overall production was splendid". It was from this visit that we saw the desirability of building up the necessary stage and equipment that would enable us to invite in visiting groups and accomodate them. Thus the seeds were sown for the formation of the Theatre Festival. The Theatre Festival was launched in 1960 with Athenry's Production of "Sive" by John.B.Keane in the Esker Hall with founder members listed as Fr.C.Scahill, Jack Fitzmaurice, Pierce O'Gara, Jim Keaveney, Paul Garvey, Joe O'Neill, Malachy Mooney & John.L.Garvey. Their remit was simple - to entertain and to promote a greater awareness of the Arts and Theatre. While enthusiasm certainly outweighed funds (the first switchboard was built in John.L's pub), such was the spirit of co-operation at the time that Jim Keaveney (proprietor of the Esker Hall) not only made the hall available but it was generously made available free of charge - a gesture which was duplicated in later years by Martin Connaughton in the Cinema and Joe O'Neill in the Sound of Music. It was interesting to note that in the course of this research that I learned that the Drama Festival could have purchased the Cinema for £800 when cinema going declined, but the deal fell through because of shortage of funds.  The first
adjudicators of the
Glenamaddy Drama Festival were Traolach O'hAongusa
(1960), Anew
McMasters (1961 - pictured here) and Barry Cassin
(1962) - quite a coup
for a small
village in the West of Ireland. Shortly after its
inception the
Festival Club became synonomous with hospitality and
conviviality due
to, in no short measure the efforts of the Ladies
Committee which
included Mrs.P.Brady, Mrs.E.Burke, Mrs.P.Marren, Mrs
M.Halloran, Misses
J.F.Collins, M.O'Rourke, U.O'Dea and T.Mannion. Again
to quote the late
John.L.Garvey - "For almost a Century the Town Hall
has added status to
our town and provided us with a vehicle to encourage
locally a greater
love and unders
Mary
Worralltanding of theatre and arts. Now restored to its former splendour, this culture bowl and architectural gem will hopefully continue to promote the aims and aspirations of the dedicated groups .." We the present committee still carry the dream of our forefathers and with it the responsibility of ensuring that each years festival is better than the previous year. President Sept 2009 |
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