Carlow Little Theatre Society celebrates 80 years of drama 

CARLOW Little Theatre Society’s 80th anniversary dinner party “touched all the chords you might say,” said Paul Dunne, its PRO.

The recent event combined theatre with food, drinks, reflection and a “very, very difficult quiz” about the long and detailed history of one of Ireland’s oldest drama societies.

“It was great. There were about 80 people there which was appropriate because it was an 80th anniversary dinner,” said Paul. “The atmosphere was celebratory. It was a long time in the planning and sort of a culmination of the whole year.” The society ramped up the action in its landmark year ‒ it put on several full-length and one-act plays, welcomed new members, brought out a book and mourned the loss of several stalwart members. In April, Betty O'Donnell (née Prendergast), who was the last surviving cast member of the society’s first production staged in May 1945, passed away at the age of 101 years.

Mark Cradock, president of the society, paid homage to Betty and others while acting as master of ceremonies for the evening. He also conferred honorary life memberships on Rory Moran and Marie Moore, who have both been part of the society for over 60 years.

Honoured guests at the dinner included members of the Nolan and O’Rourke families and MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú and her sister Sharon. The sisters are nieces of Leo Murphy, who was one of the founders and an actor in the 1950s and ̓60s.

The event was a reminder that theatre is "a great way of getting people in a community together with a shared interest in something creative,” said Paul. “It's a great way of forming enduring friendships, it definitely has been the case for me. I’m not from Carlow originally and I’ve come in and met some solid friends through the society.” As for the future of the society, Paul believes “it’s on solid ground. We’ve got a burgeoning membership and are more productive than ever. We’re 80 years on the go and in a strong position to keep going.”