05-04-2003

Sunday Fundraising Surprise in Mountmellick C.S.

As if the gracious weather was not enough to take everyone by surprise in Mountmellick recently, the unprecedented success of the Auction and Family Fun Day held in the grounds of Mountmellick Community School on Sunday, March 16, had locals and organizers positively reeling with shock.

The event jointly organised by the School and the committee of Mountmellick Community Sports Complex drew hundreds of visitors to the Auction in which every item was sold, and to the Family Fun Day, where face painting, jaunting car rides, kiddies disco, cake sale, wheel of fortune and other such attractions were all enjoyed. Final tallies for funds raised have not been finalized yet, but it is expected that the monies raised will run into tens of thousands of Euro. This will be divided between Mountmellick Community School, the Mountmellick Community Sports Complex and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Mountmellick.

Commenting on the day’s events, Parents Council member Michael Moloney said that it could not have been better, with the generosity of the local community standing out as the highlight of the initiative.

“We were all taken aback by the generousity and commitment shown. It was a community day, rather than a school or sport complex day and I think that it was superb. It’ll also be the first of many, we hope, and plans are already underway for similar fundraising events in the near future”, he explained.

Mountmellick Community School in particular are pleased with the success of the day as they hope to raise 20,000 over the next year in order to offer a book loan scheme in the school, whereby students can rent the required text books from the school rather than have to buy them new.

“This will be very important in easing the burden on parents with school expenses, and as we have to raise so much, there will be more fundraising events coming soon” Mr Moloney added.

Sincere thanks are expressed to all who helped to make the day the success that it was.

Drama Festival Winners

Mountmellick’s 13th annual drama festival attracted audiences from all over the area and adjoining counties. Eight wonderful nights of first class entertainment were greatly enjoyed and appreciated, as was the excellent adjudication of each play by Kathleen Brannington.

Kathleen Barrington was an Abbey actor for many years. She has an abiding interest in theatre for young people, founding the Young Abbey and Team Educational Theatre and was the Abbey’s first education officer. During her stay in Mountmellick Kathleen took the opportunity to visit the young people participating in the Laois Youth Theatre workshops in the Owenass Hall on Saturdays.

At the close of each performance Kathleen Barrington gave very informative opinions on all aspects of the plays from individual performances to lighting and sound. On Sunday night she met members of the audience and discussed the drama festival.

The festival closed on Tuesday night. MC Paula Dempsey welcomed the special guests on stage on the evening. They were Fr. Francis MacNamara PP, Secretary of the PTAA, Stephanie Gorman, sponsor Mrs Bridie Conroy, Bord na Mona representative Declan McDonald, secretary of the drama festival committee Patricia Conroy, sponsor Danny Campbell of DC Video, sponsor Patricia Moloney, representative of main sponsor Mountmellick Credit Union Mary T Culleton and of course Kathleen Barrington.

Paula opened with thanks to the drama group committee, the many sponsors, the audiences, the young artists and their teachers who competed in the art competition and whose artwork had decorated the foyer all week. She then called upon Father MacNamara PP.

Fr. MacNamara reiterated the thanks to the festival committee and spoke of how the festival itself has gone from strength to strength over the years. He made special mention of the many refurbishments to the hall and closed with looking forward to next year.

Mary T Culleton of Mountmellick Credit Union spoke of how pleased the Credit Union was to be associated with the festival and thanked all the visiting groups who had fantastic actors and producers. She thanked the local drama group, praised the refurbishment of the hall and finished by ensuring all of the Credit Union’s continued support for the festival.

Stephanie Gorman also congratulated all the drama groups and the festival committee and wished all the best of luck in the future.

Patricia Moloney then presented a representative of each group with Kilkenny Class sponsored by John and Patricia Moloney.

Kathleen Barrington then took centre stage for the moment all had been waiting for, the announcements of the winners in each section.

Participating groups compete in two different sections, four in confined and four in open. In the confined competition the award for best actor went to Colin Walsh of the Silken Thomas Players, Kildare for his portrayal of the young Brendan Behan in Borstal Boy. Best actress awarded to Mairead Ryan of Bridge Drama Group, Wexford for her entirely convincing and sympathetic playing of Sandra in Breezeblock Park.

The winner in the confined section was Silken Thomas Players with Borstal Boy by Brendan Behan while the runner up was Holycross /Ballycahill drama group with Absent Friends by Alan Ayckbourn.

In the open section best actor was awarded to Rory Moran of Carlow Little Theatre for his towering performance as Eddie in A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller. Best actress was awarded to Enda Ormond of Ballyduff Drama Group Waterford for her powerful portrayal of Antigone in the play of the same name by Sophocles.

The winner in the open section was Ballyduff Drama Group, Waterford for Antigone by Sophocles while the runner up was Carlow Little Theatre with A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller.

The award for best director overall was presented to Brendan Dunlea for Antigone. The adjudicator’s prize was also won by Ballyduff Drama Group, it was presented to Deirdre and Francis Foley for the music and by the Greek Chorus. Fr. MacNamara then officially declared the 13th festival closed.

Internet and E-mail

The MDA will soon begin a course in computer training in the internet and e-mail. It will be held on three Thursday afternoons from 2 pm and 4 pm. For further enquiries please contact Imelda Burke.

Special Olympics Art

Mountmellick will be a host town for athletes from Peru who are taking part in the Special Olympics in June. Art exhibitions will be held throughout Mountmellick in shops, schools and halls and all schools and organizations are invited to get involved. Drawing, paintings, projects, models and collages from individuals and groups of all ages are welcome. The closing date is Wednesday, April 16. Artwork can be left into the MDA Office, Irishtown marked “Special Olympics Art”. For any queries please contact Sheelagh Coyle or Florence Fennelly.

Mountmellick Youth Theatre

The Mountmellick Branch of the Laois Youth Theatre will be performing in the Dunamaise Theatre on Thursday, April 3. They have been invited to participate at the launch of Laois Youth Services. The group will act in two short pieces entitled “The Happiest Days of Their Lives” and the “Reduced Wizard of Oz” the first being a series of insights into the lives, issues and worries of teenage life and the second being very silly indeed. The members of Laois Youth Theatre are very talented, bright and hardworking and a real credit to all.

Mountmellick Angling Association

Membership cards are now available from Victor Cox’s at The Square, Mountmellick or from Simon O’Meara or Tommy Quigley. The grand draw will be held on April, 7. Outstanding tickets and money to be returned before April 7 to Victor Cox’s shop or to Stephen Lynch.

Mountmellick Macra Group in National Final

A group from Mountmellick Macra has reached the National Final of the Macra Drama Competition. This takes place this year in Bru Boru, Cashel on Saturday and Sunday next, April 5 and 6.

The Mountmellick group has already beaten off competition at the National Semi-Final in Navan to qualify for the National Finals. In fact, Mary Culleton from the Mountmellick group took Best Actress Award at the National Semi Final.

Unique about Mountmellick Macra group’s play is that it is a new play. The play is “Family Planning” by Michelle Reid. It was commissioned by Macra. It was developed through a workshop process as part of the Macra Arts Initiative.

Taking part in the Mountmellick production are Donna Le Blanc, Donal Hunt, Kieran McEvoy, Michelle Murphy, Anne Marie Hourigan, Patrick and Mary Culleton. The play is directed by Sheelagh Coyle. Lighting is by Larry Ryan, stage manager is David Connolly.