County Tipperary Drama Festival chiefs have paid tribute to the invaluable contribution made by each and every community, town and county, since the inauguration, in 1952, of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland. Mr Martin O Neill and Mr Donald Duggan, (Chairman and Festival Directors respectively) of the Tipperary Drama Festival addressed audiences at this year’s most enjoyable 9 day festival; latter arbitrated by the multi-talented and highly experienced Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, adjudicator Ms Irene O’Meara, in St Michael’s Community Centre, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Nine top groups, from around Ireland, including two from Co. Tipperary (Thurles Drama group and Suir Productions), enthralled full houses for the nine nights, at what was described as the most successful festival ever, in the Abbey-side village of Holycross.
It was truly a great tribute to the dedicated organising committee which comprises, (in addition to Martin O‘Neill and Donal Duggan), Rev Celsus Tierney (President), Tommy Lanigan (Treasurer), Claire Ryan (Secretary), Geraldine O’Neill (PRO), Claire Ryan (Sponsorship), Diana Lacey (Raffle), Marty O’Neill, Paddy Connolly, Peg Ryan, Elaine O’ Dwyer, Jim Finn (Photographer), Ger O’Dwyer, Malcolm Shadwell, Michelle Dwan, Andy Slattery (Box Office), Aisling Henchion and Sean Gleeson (Sub Committee).
For Thurles it was a festival to remember. They had come from a victorious night in Clare-Galway, where they had won a number of awards, to receive an enthusiastic standing ovation at Holycross.
Thurles Drama Group Director, Mrs Margaret McCormack, once acted on the professional stage with the great Siobhan McKenna, in Synges “Playboy of the Western World”. Thurles Drama Group, who have reached the All-Ireland Finals in Athlone on a number of occasions in the past, saw Geraldine Delaney (Sandra), Derek Doherty (Ray), Sarah Feehan (Dairne), Paula Drohinan (Linda), Ken Murphy (Eddie), Dean Rossiter (Lighting), Dick Ryan (Sound), Geraldine Morrisey and Mary Slattery (Stage Managers) and Greta Murphy (Make-up); take to the stage with “Rathmines Road”, by Deirdre Kinihan.
Those in attendance throughout the week included Pat and Anna Wall, Mary Condron (Thurles), Jacqui Lacey (Holycross), John Glasheen (Borrisoleigh), and Archbishop Emeritus Dr Dermot Clifford.
The Tipperary Star Cup for best group in the confined section went to Clann Machua, Mayo for “The Snapper” by Roddy Doyle, with 2nd and 3rd places going to “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” by Flavour of the Month, Productions, Co Limerick and “Amongst Men“, by Wayside Players, Wexford, respectively.
The Dr Morris Trophy, presented for Best Tipperary Group, went to Thurles Drama Group for “Rathmines Road”.
The Tipp FM Trophy for best group in Open Category, went to Ballyduff Drama Group “The Blackwater Lightship”, by Colm Toibin, with 2nd and 3rd places going to “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Clontarf, Drama Group, Co Dublin and “The Weir” by Brideview, Co Waterford, respectively.
Lisa Shanahan of Suir Productions, Knockavilla, was deemed ‘Best Actress’, in the roll of ‘Phil’ in “A Living Will”.
Lyrics and Vocals: American singer, songwriter, and musician Vincent Grant Gill.
Go Rest High On That Mountain.
I know your life, On earth was troubled, And only you could know the pain. You weren’t afraid to face the devil, You were no stranger to the rain. Go rest high on that mountain, Son your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’, Love for the Father and the Son. Oh, how we cried the day you left us, Gathered ’round your grave to grieve. Wish I could see the angels faces, When they hear your sweet voice sing. Go rest high on that mountain, Son your work on earth is done, Go to heaven a-shoutin’, Love for the Father and the Son. Go rest high on that mountain, Son your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’, Love for the Father and the Son. Go to heaven a-shoutin’, Love for the Father and the Son.
Lyrics: American country singer Mirriam Johnson, known professionally as Jessi Colter. Vocals: American rock band Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show.
Storms Never Last.
Storms never last do they baby. Bad times all pass with the wind. Your hand in mine stills the thunder, And you make the sun wanna shine.
You followed me down so many roads, baby. I picked wild flowers and sung you soft sad songs, And every road we took lord knows our search was for the truth, And the clouds brewing now won’t be the last.
But storms never last do they baby. (they don’t last, no, no). Bad times all pass with the wind. Your hand in mine (your hand in mine) stills the thunder, (Stills the thunder, stills the thunder, yeah). And you make the sun wanna shine. (shine, shine, shine).
Storms never last (storms never last) do they baby. (They don’t last, no, no). The bad times, the bad times, the bad times all pass. Your hand in mine (your hand in mine) stills the thunder, (Stills the thunder, stills the thunder, yeah). You make the sun wanna shine. (shine, shine, shine).
Storms never last (storms never last) do they baby. (They don’t last, no, no) Bad times all pass with the wind. Your hand in mine stills the thunder, (Stills the thunder, stills the thunder, yeah). And you make the sun wanna shine. (shine, shine, shine).
We write, to warn all our readers in advance, that Sunday next, March 30th 2025, is Mothers Day.
Lyrics and Vocals: American singer, songwriter and musician Vince Gill(Vincent Grant Gill).
A Letter To My Mama.
Oh, I need to write a letter, Put it down in black and white, No a phone call just won’t cut it, Not the way I feel tonight. A letter to my mama, From the bottom of my heart, “I’m sorry”, is a real good place to start. I’m sorry I was selfish, Just chalk it up to youth. I got too old to need you, That’s just running from the truth. I’m sorry things didn’t work out, For you and my old man. Sometimes life don’t turn out like you plan. Looking back I wonder how, You ever pulled us through, I can’t imagine walking in your shoes. If I could stop this pen from shaking, I’d write these words down too, There’s no one in this world I love like you. Oh, I’ve written down the memories, Of these sixty-some-odd years, Trying hard to just say “Thank you”, As I wipe away the tears. I hear my grandson calling, So I guess I’d better go. I can never pay you back the love I owe. Oh, I finished up the letter, Put it down in black and white, No, a phone call wouldn’t cut it, Not the way I feel tonight. A letter to my mama, From the bottom of my heart, The very bottom of my heart.
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