Jean's Journal: Athlone Little Theatre
by Jean Farrell
As I write my article, each week, I am always aware of the fact that many readers were not reared in Athlone. With this in mind I try not to focus on local news only.
However, I am glad to note that many of you (old and new to town) attend plays in Athlone Little Theatre, which is great. More than 1,000 people came to see the last production there, which was ‘Steel Magnolias.’
Athlone Little Theatre group was first formed in 1936. Right from the beginning it has been very active and successful. A booklet was published in 1986 to commemorate the golden jubilee of this theatre group. It is full of photographs of past productions.
The photo above is the cast of Big Maggie, performed in 1970. Many of you will recognise the players, Marie O’Cara, Harry Smith, Mary Gahan, Colm Kelly, Joan O’Riordan, Jim McArdle, Marie Lyster, Michael O’Keefe, Joan Walsh, Aidan Gallagher and David Pearse.
This same play was produced by various directors since then. I recall Therese Bryne, Evelyn O’Callaghan and Anne Hoey playing the part of Big Maggie, in this theatre. All three brought their own approach to the strong able Big Maggie. I love this play, written by John B Keane.
Aileen Coughlan and Mel O’Flynn are two names synonymous with Athlone Little Theatre. As I browse through this little booklet many names jump out at me. I note that Larry Hanley (ex-principal of The Batteries School) was very involved during the early years, as were Alfie Faulkner, Joe Corrigan (his wife, Marie, worked with me in The Fair Green,) Charlie Byrne (his daughter was called Gay Byrne) and Walter Touhy (ex-principal of Coosan National School.)
In more modern times those whom I knew/know are Paddy Martin, Bina Deery, Eddie O’Shea, Ray Collins, Billy Nott, Chrissie Killian, Mary Connolly, Joe McCarrick and Brigid Turner (grandmother of Aidan Turner, whom we know as Poldark.) I’m sure that I’m leaving out a great many more, however, these are the people whose names I recognise in the booklet, published in 1986.
Since then I have worked back stage with lots and lots of actors who have tread the boards of Athlone Little Theatre. It is great to see many young people involved, as well as folk from other countries. The standard of the plays produced there is always top class. I am very proud to be a member.
It wasn’t until 1965 that Athlone Little Theatre finally got a place to call its own. The small premises, in Saint Mary’s Place, from which this theatre now operates, was once a hall belonging to Saint Mary’s parish. Maybe some of you remember learning Irish dancing in it, or became a girl-guide or boy-scout in the ‘scout-den’ there. A pipe band also used it for practice.
The premises was given to the group, on a 99-year lease, by the clergy of Saint Mary’s parish. I recall some names of the prominent clergy there, when I was young. Canon Pinkman is a name often mentioned, as well as Canon McGivney. I’ve often heard Father Bennett and Father Lane talked about. I’m sure many of you will recall knowing these men, in the past.
All priests, in Ireland, at that time, were heavily involved in everything that happened in their parish. They were on the committees of the GAA and all sports’ club. They were on the committees of The Musical Society and The Little Theatre, as well as The Athlone Agricultural Show and much much more.
The local parish priest had full control of the schools, no boards of management back then! There wasn’t a group in Ireland, who made decisions, that didn’t have a priest at its helm. This, of course, was to keep an eye on us! It was about control.
Canon McCarthy was a huge figure in our young lives, on the Connaught side of Athlone. He was everywhere! He lived from 1909 to 1983. Patrick Murray wrote a book about his life, which I came across lately.
There was much of interest in it but one letter amazed me. His aunt wished to join the convent in 1883. A good reputation was essential. So was the dowry you were to bring with you. A Sister M. Ignatius Mulhall, based in Convent of Mercy, Sligo wrote to young Ellen McCarthy regarding her request to become a nun. The letter is dated 30th April 1883. It states,
“Dear Miss McCarthy, Reverend Mother desires me to acknowledge your letter and say in reply that Mother Superior of Athlone spoke so kindly and favourably of you in her letter as to prepossess us in your favour. The dowry required with our postulants is £500. This includes £10 for cell furniture, £10 for Reception expenses and £10 for Profession expenses……”
The rest of the letter is all about money. It’s this aspect that amazed me. £500 in 1883 must have been a massive amount of money! And, anyone who was ever in a nun’s cell will wonder how £10, back in 1883, could be demanded for the furniture there. In Convent of Mercy Moate, in the 1960s, there was a bare bed and washstand only, in the nuns’ cells. I’m sure it was the same in 1883.
Our Canon McCarthy went on to become Monsignor McCarthy, However, to those of us who knew him during our early years, he will always be ‘The Canon.’ He was a very well-educated, cultured man whom everybody respected. May he rest in peace.
jeanfarrell@live.ie