Wednesday 5th February 2020 - Sheare Street Social Club

Waterford County Museum Dungarvan is delighted with this once off  staging of Abbeyside man, Jim Cullinan’s play ‘The Sheare Street Social Club'.  Many Abbeyside people will have memories of the Club which was situated at Sheare Street, Abbeyside.  Nothing now stands on that site.  Jim gave us the wonderful book, ‘Arses and Elbows,’ which detailed his very ‘colourful’ life growing up in Abbeyside.  It was a no ‘holds barred’ honest book which was widely acclaimed. James G. Cullinane, to give him his proper title, was born in Abbeyside in 1941, the 7^th of eight children.  His short stories have been published in the New Orleans Review, Toronto Irish News and Inkwell.  His play ‘A Love so Blind' was actually staged here in Dungarvan, and at the Irish Arts Centre in New York.  He received a B.A. from the Empire State College and a Master of Arts in creative writing from Manhattanville College.  He now resides in Mount Kisco, New York with his wife, Abbeyside lady, Anne (nee Tyrrell.)  Jim has a number of plays to his credit and this present one has been performed in New York.  Jim takes great interest in his home town and was particularly taken with the Museum’s community excavation at Gallows Hill and offered his play to Eddie Cantwell as a fund raiser for the ongoing research there.  Eddie approached Deirdre Collender and asked her if she would produce the play.  She didn’t have to be asked twice! 

Eddie next called on John Foley who has captured the investigations at Gallows Hill on film from day one.  The intention here was to film the entire play in the back room in Alice O’Connor’s old bar at Sexton Street, Abbeyside, but after an initial visit to the premises both John and Deirdre decided that this would technically cost far too much to produce.  In order not to  disappoint Eddie, Deirdre did decide to film a section of the play, ‘An American Wake’ in the premises.  A further ‘Letter from America’ was filmed at Merry’s upper rooms.  We are very grateful to Merrys and Brian O’Connor for allowing us access to their premises.

And so, for One Night Only, ‘The Sheare Street Social Club’, a Dramatised Read of the Play, in costume, with audio visual enhancements, directed by Deirdre Collender  with cinematography by John Foley and original music by Donal Power will take place on February 5th at 8 p. m. in Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre. This folks will be a magical night with a new dramatic concept, and it certainly is not to be missed.  Tickets at €10 are now available in the Museum on Friary Street Dungarvan and in Kellys Pharmacy, The Causeway, Dungarvan.  Be warned - get your tickets NOW before they are sold out.  Proceeds from the event will go to the Gallows Hill Community Archaeology project.

Venue:        Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre, St Augustine Street, Dungarvan

Date:          Wednesday 5th February 2020

Time:          8 p. m.

Admission:   €10