From Mullagh parish hall to Hollywood...
by Sean McMahon Updated: Friday, 15th January, 2010 9:00am
Home-grown film star Brian F. O'Byrne opens newly refurbished hall
Brian F. O'Byrne after performing the official opening of the refurbished Mullagh Hall on December 27, with a beautiful painting of the hall by Rory Clarke from Mullagh.
Community spirit is shining like a beacon in Mullagh and now the myriad talents of the people will come to life in their beautifully refurbished community hall with renewed impetus.
The hall has evolved through many guises over the years, from a simple galvanised structure in 1919. It was rebuilt in 1930 and its general has remained intact since.
Over the last couple of years a dynamic hall committee had innovative plans formulated for the transformation and modernisation of the hall. The chairman of the Hall Committee Liam Daly said that some €400,000 had been spent on the work, carried out by Larry Reilly's construction firm from Knockbride.
Despite the freezing weather of December 27, the committee went ahead with the official opening of the hall and locals of all ages packed in for a night of fun and homespun entertainment. The official opening was performed by a talented native of the area, who has hit the big time in Hollywood, Brian F. O'Byrne, who enjoyed coming back to the hall where his talent was first demonstrated in his formative years.
He told the gathering that with the demise of the Celtic tiger, people will get back to making their own entertainment instead of buying happiness and fun.
Liam Daly explained that around eight years ago they focused on the idea of having the hall totally refurbished. Plans were drawn up by Hanley and Taite Architects in Virginia, members joined the committee from right across the community spectrum and a feasibility study was completed.
Cross-Border funding was obtained to carry out that study and it was conducted by Josephine Connon. It then formed part of a submission to the Clar Programme, which proved successful and the project was carried out within the specified time frame.
The committee wish to thank all the staff in the Department of Community, Gaeltacht and Rural Affairs and the HSE for the professional manner in which they administered the project under their programme.
The work on the hall has been carried out to an exceptionally high standard and an innovative use has been found for every space. The maple floor that was put down in the 1950s has been sanded and polished and still looks great.
Liam told The Anglo-Celt that the committee deemed it fitting that they should invite one of their own back from Broadway to perform the official opening. "It just shows that those young people treading the boards in the new Mullagh Hall could easily follow in the footsteps of Brian F. O'Byrne, who has already scooped a Tony Award and has been nominated for five others. It doesn't get much better than that," said Liam.
Apart from drama and stage performances (which are vibrant in Mullagh), many other community based groups will also be using the facilities in the hall on a weekly basis.
The Cross/Mullagh Friendship Group, which looks after the welfare of the senior citizens, meets regularly in the hall and uses the new kitchen facilities to their full potential.
Liam says that the dynamic people in St. Vincent De Paul will also be using the kitchen facilities to complement their meals on wheels service. The mothers and toddlers group also meet in the hall and the facilities are also available to the Girl Guides and Scouts. There are lots of other activities taking place in the hall including Irish and hip hop dancing. The youth club also meets there.
"There's a great interest in the hall, now that it looks like new and is warm. The Mill Race Drama Group are also rehearsing a three act play, Portia Caughlan, to be staged in the first week of March," said Liam, who is the director of the play.
Mullagh has expanded beyond all recognition in the last decade, as hundreds of new people from Dublin and from further afield have settled in new homes adjacent to the town. Many are joining in community activities as their children attend school and they put down roots in the area.
The new hall is a further means of reaching out to the new people in the area. "This is a community hall and it is there for everyone," said Liam.
The hall committee has another aspiration in the near future - to provide respite care for children with special needs - and they appreciate the input of Dr. John O'Connell in relation to getting this innovative initiative off the ground.
Actor TP McKenna was born in Mullagh in 1929 and performed on the hall stage at the tender age of eight. He would've loved to have been present for the official opening, but could not get home for the event. He sent a goodwill message and expressed his delight that the hall had been refurbished to such a high standard.
Mullagh Hall Committee: Liam Daly, chairman; Patrick Carolan, vice-chairman; Fr. John Quinn, treasurer; Michael Carolan, assistant treasurer; Patricia Conaty, secretary; and Annette Smith, Emma Kinkade, Isobel Anderson, Larry O'Brien are all committee members.
Mullagh Tourism Development Committee also contributed substantial funding towards the work on the hall. Patsy Maguire is the caretaker who takes a personal pride in the work in this lovely setting.
Peter Murtagh did a superb job as MC at the official opening, when the entire community came together for music, song, and celebration. Fr. John Quinn blessed the hall and Rev. Joyce Rankin was unable to attend the event due to unforeseen circumstances.
Watch out for all the talent on the stage in the future; how many will follow in the footsteps of TP McKenna and Brian F. O'Byrne?
Post a Comment