The Sheare Street Social Club.
The Sheare Street
Social club is named after a small Clubhouse which local people in Abbeyside
built. It is here in the 50s that the local men-folk met up, played cards,
rings, dart’s, and pool. Jim Cullinane set his play here. It could be any small
clubhouse in Ireland. Jim tells us that;
‘There is an air of decline, a scent of death almost, amid all the
repartee, wisecracks and talk. It’s as if they know this environment is in
decline – of male only social club habitués – and soon cracks appear. They
begin to question their existence, how they’ll be remembered, their dreams
abandoned, and their potential unrealized. But in the end they decide to try –
to do better, realize dreams, make a difference.’ This is a thought provoking play, and will
give people a true taste of life in the 50s. It is a time when only the business
and ‘professional’ people had a phone in their homes. An outside toilet was a
luxury, families sat around the radio to listen to the hurling and football
commentary. Well, those that had a radio, that is! There was no TV. Work was scarce and
emigration was an option for many. Much of Jim Cullinan’s work has its roots in
Abbeyside. Born and reared around the corner form Sheare Street , his growing
up there is inherent in his memories.
His great love for Dungarvan and Abbeyside is clearly evident in all his work.
Having said that, Jim’s play could be cast in any Village in Ireland of the
50s. Critics have said of his play; ‘Funny, irreverent and profound.’ The Sheare Street Social Club takes place on
Wednesday February 5th at 8 pm, in the Town Hall theatre Dungarvan.
It is directed by Deirdre Collinder, Cinematography is by John Foley, and new
music and songs have been composed by Abbeyside’s Donal Power. It stars Rian Ó’ Donoghue, Aaron Cowming Pat Power,
Michael Drummy, Ollie Kiely, Raymond Tobin Walsh, Mark O’Rourke, and Michael O’
Mahoney. This is a night not to be missed. Remember, it
is for one night only, refreshment will also be served. Waterford County Museum
Dungarvan would like to thanks all those wonderful people who have given their
time freely to stage this wonderful production. Proceeds will go toward the
Gallows Hill Community project. Fundraising is ongoing to complete a number of
samples tests which are critical in nailing down the origins of Gallows Hill.
One of these is the isotope test which will give us information on the origins
of the human remains discovered on the hill. Remember also, get your tickets early, they
are available at the Museum on Friary Street Dungarvan and at Joe Kelly’s Pharmacy
on the Causeway in Abbeyside.
Stories from old newspapers
Waterford
Mail 14 May 1836
Letter to
the editor from James Cremin, Dungarvan, 12 May 1836.
Sir, some
days since I went, accompanied by a bailiff, to distrain for an arrear of rent
amounting to £13.7.2., due out of a house in New
Lane, Dungarvan – the occupant of which having got intimation of my intention,
removed every article of value except some ducks, geese, a cock, and two hens,
which I seized and left in the custody of the bailiff, and went for assistance
to remove them. During my absence the bailiff…seized a cat, which he put in a
basket along with the fowl; this caused a great deal of noise. By this time a
large mob had collected, in which the women and children were not the least
prominent, and succeeded in rescuing the ducks, geese, and hens, abusing not
only myself in the grossest manner, but also the mother of my children and
followed me to the pound in the same manner, where I placed the cock in order
to set an example and carry the law into effect. I also sold it in due time,
when it brought 4d, and not 3½ as you have it.
‘The Power’s’ - New Zealand film Company to Visit Dungarvan
‘The Power’s’ - New Zealand film Company to Visit Dungarvan
Are
you a POWER? If so prepare to meet what might be distant cousins on, Wednesday
15th of January. Waterford County Museum Dungarvan has been
contacted by a branch of the Power family in New Zealand who are keen to meet
any Powers on the night. Robbie Neha is the gentleman that has made contact
with us. He will outline the history of their particular branch of the family
in Hamilton New Zealand.
Robbie
gives us the following information; I am a Television Producer/Director and I
am currently researching for a historic Documentary on my Great, Great
Grandfather Thomas Power who we understand came from County Waterford, Ireland.
I will be visiting County Waterford from the 13th to the 17th of January, 2020.
We will be bringing a delegation of 6 people which will include my 82 year old
Aunty Miria Tauariki and my 64 year old Uncle Thomas Roa [both of whom have
been desperate to visit your County - the origin of their mutual Great
Grandfather all their lives].
Our
group will also include a Camera Crew of three people - Murray Maunder, Corey
Wilson and our Researcher Willie-John Newton where we hope to document and
record our trip to County Waterford to trace the origins of our Ancestor Thomas
Power and film places of interest in regards to the Power family. On arrival in
County Waterford, it would be our honour to provide a public presentation on
our findings to date on Thomas Power, his storied life in New Zealand, our
relationship to him and we will explain our Documentary's intentions and
findings thus far. If you have any
people of interest you think I should be in touch with, particularly a Power
Family Historian or relation.’ Robbie’s genealogical details are brief and on
the night much more will be revealed. Part of his line which he gave us runs
like this: Rahapa Te Hauata - Thomas Power - Kahutoi Power [nee Kaukau] Tanirau Paiaka .
Much
more will be revealed on the night; this presentation will take place on
Wednesday 15th January at 7.30 pm. At the Dungarvan Sailing Club. Robbie
will make a presentation and outline the history of his Thomas Power. There is
no admission charge to this. Families wishing to attend might contact us, as
soon as possible 058 45960, or email us history@waterfordmusuem.ie.
Stories from Old Newspapers
Londonderry Sentinel 3 May 1921
Five Soldiers and Priest Wounded
A Waterford
telegram says – A report has reached here that the midday train from Waterford
to Dungarvan was fired on on Saturday, and that two soldiers were wounded. On the train reaching Dungarvan exhaustive
searches were made by the military. Later
on, an aeroplane hovered over the district where the firing took place. The six o’clock evening train from Dungarvan
to Waterford was also fired at about six miles outside Dungarvan and three
soldiers belonging to the Devons were wounded. An aeroplane escorted the train.
A strong force of
military left Dungarvan for the scene of the attack. They came in touch with the ambushers, and a
hot engagement took place, lasting nearly an hour. It is difficult to get details, but it is said
some of the Republicans were wounded.
The roads in the vicinity are trenched. The military returned to barrack
close to midnight…amongst the passengers were – Rev. Mr.
Carroll C.C., Ballybricken and Brother Raymond, Dominican Church, Waterford. The former received a slight splinter in the
face.
Photo of the Week
Can you identify
anyone in this photo taken at the County Council Offices, Dungarvan c1955. If so, please let us know. This photograph is one of many available to
view online on www.waterfordmuseum.ie.
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 7th
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.
|
|
Venue: Dungarvan Town Hall Theatre, St Augustine Street, Dungarvan
Date: Wednesday 5th February 2020
Time: 8 p. m.
Admission: €10
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
