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| Image courtesy of John Foley |
An
extended standing ovation clearly marked Jim Cullinane’s play ‘The Sheare
Street Social Club’ a thundering success! Jim was gutted that he was unable to
attend the play due to prior commitments which could not be cancelled,
otherwise he would have flown over for the play. He certainly need not have
worried because under the directorship of Deirdre Collender, her class of
actors brought Jim’s characters to life on stage. The audience stood as one to
applaud this wonderful and skilfully directed production. The introduction of
John Foley’s filming at Alice O’Connor’s bar in Abbeyside and at Merrys on Main
Street certainly added an extra dimension to the overall production. Many
remarks were also passed on Donal Power’s two new songs which he composed and
sang. These were filmed by John Foley and skilfully stitched into his filming
at O’Connor’s Bar and Merrys. Deirdre’s invitation to Donal to compose for
the production was accepted without question. She did not need to twist his arm.
People said later that the songs should be recorded and that the play should be
taken to New York! Dirk Baumann's
lighting and sound added the appropriate atmosphere. The play was sold out and
sadly, on the night, some people had to be turned away.
It was wonderful to
note that the proprietor of O’Connor’s Bar, Alice Marie attended with her nephew
Brian. Also present were the extended
Cullinane family who were certainly pleased with the production. Waterford
County Museum/Gallowshill Group would like through this medium to thank the
following people: Jim Cullinane for offering his wonderful play to raise much needed funds.
Thanks also to Brian and Alice Marie O'Connor for welcoming the film crew and
cast over Christmas, and also to Emilene Stafford of Merrys for the use of
Upstairs in Merrys 1868 for filming. To Joe Kelly of Kellys Pharmacy, Abbeyside
and Michael Drummy in David Walsh Office and School Supplies for handling the
ticket sales. Thanks to Pat Morrissey
for his musical expertise and to John Collender for set transportation and
leading the prayers... The ladies from the
Drama Circle - Charlie O'Donoghue, Áine Maire ni Aodha, Muireann nic Caba,
Marlene Kirby, Padraigín ni Chadla, Orla
Glascott and Gina McGrath and the
ladies of the Gallowshill Community
Archaeology Group. Staff of Waterford
County Museum for front of house and all administration duties. The Dungarvan Leader and Dungarvan Observer
for the advertising and promotion. Sean
Organ of WLR for promotion. To Deirdre Collender who worked tirelessly to bring
this special production to the stage in such a short period of time. Thanks for the kindness of the actors who
gave their valuable and skillfil time to
the play. The very talented John Foley who has been an oustanding friend to the
Gallowshill Group from day one, and to his sidekick Rían O’Donoghue. To our
lighting and Sound expert, Dirk Baumann.
Last but not least, Eddie Cantwell for all his untiring work in promotion
on social media and in the local papers, and also for taking a leap of faith in
this new format of fundraising.
A
message was read by the MC for the evening, Charlie O Donoghue from Jim
Cullinane: ‘To all the wonderful people who were
inspired and worked so hard to bring this play into fruition, I cannot thank
you enough. I hope it’s a wonderful night and enjoyed by all. I’ll mention one
name, Eddie, who was instrumental in bringing this project along. He’s a force
of nature. I know there are others, Deirdre, John, Donal, the cast who I hope
to meet some day (a pint up at Alice’s?) and all the others involved. May it be
a night to remember’.
We would publicly like to thank to
our raffle sponsors; Eugene Tobin and SGC Cinema,
The Old Bank, The Shamrock Restaurant, Noark’s
Restaurant, Shaws Department Store, Garvey’s Supermarket, The Wine Buff, 4th
Waterford Abbeyside Scouts, Glanbia and
Currans Hardware .
