Dungarvan
Observer 19th Jan. 1918
Concert
at Ballymacart
On
New Year’s Night a very enjoyable and successful entertainment in aid of the
deserving poor of the locality was given in the Ballymacart School by the
pupils of the evening classes aided by friends.
It took the form of a grand instrumental and vocal concert, and the
large audience evidenced their appreciation in a very marked manner by their
early attendance and by the enthusiasm they showed throughout.
Miss
Eileen Mansfield (Piano); and Mr. James Mansfield (Violin) delighted the
audience with their different directions at the intervals during the
performance. The concert opened with a
chorus song, “Cailin Deas Cruidre na mbo” by the members of the evening school.
The committee were fortunate in securing the services of that popular comedian,
Mr. Ed. Kiely, for the occasion. Though
Mr. Kiely had retired from the stage, yet being in the neighbourhood on
business, the object of the concert appealed to him and he consented to lean a
hand… Mr. E Curran, Kilossera, was equally happy in his songs and dances, and
was loudly applauded… Miss H. Lacey also danced a hornpipe and a double jig and
showed excellent training.
The
play “Uncle Pat” – was the event of the evening, and kept the audience in
unbroken attention and delight. Dramatic personae: - Uncle Pat ( Mr. D.
Conway), Norah (Mr. Ml. Foley), Norah’s husband (Mr. James Hourigan), Kitty (Mr.
Ml. Power), Willie Phelan engaged to Kitty ( Mr. Mattie Walsh), Miss Glynn( Mr.
W. Ryan) and Bob O’ Connor ( Mr. P. Hourigan)… hopes are entertained of further
histrionic exhibition in the future. The
four-hand reel was danced by the messers Chas Mansfield, Ml. Mansfield, Frank
Murphy and Michael Byrne, in a very graceful style. Mr. D. Conway in his humorous recitation”
Terry Mulligan’s Banshee”, showed rare powers of elocution while Mr. Wm.
Ahearnes “Incident of 98” made a great impression. Mr. William Walsh was delightfully
captivating in his song “In Fair Westmeath”.
The
entertainment came to a termination with the chorus- “A Nation Once
Again”. Mr. Mce. Lacey, Mount Mellary,
proved a capable stage manager.