New era dawns for Tullamore Musical Society

TULLAMORE Musical Society has entered a “new era” and “exciting times” lie ahead in the coming year, the group's Chairperson Colin Hughes has proclaimed.

Mr Hughes was speaking at an information night on the society's forthcoming production of “Michael Collins: A Musical Drama” which will be staged in April and May next year.

The information session took place in Killeigh Comhaltas' Teach Ceoil on Tullamore's Offaly St which is to be the new base for the musical society.

“This our new home and we are delighted to have it,” declared Mr Hughes before tens of society members and enthusiasts who had gathered for the occasion.

He revealed that rehearsals for the Michael Collins production will take place in the main area of Teach Ceoil as well as the ancillary rooms.

“We finally have a base,” said an obviously delighted TMS chairperson who added: “This is a great location with lots of rooms.”.

In another breakthrough for the society next year's production will be staged in the new Esker Arts Centre on High St from April 29 to May 6.

The society will also have the use of the arts centre for rehearsals for a full week before the production opens.

“The arts centre has a fantastic stage and manager Sean Walsh has been a great help to us,” Mr Hughes told the Tribune.

The information night was held on Tuesday week last, December 6 and Mr Hughes noted it was an appropriate date to launch the “Michael Collins” production as it was the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Irish Free State.

He said that rehearsals for the production will commence in mid to late January next year in Teach Ceoil.

The director of TMS' production of “Michael Collins: A Musical Drama” is Dublin based Pat McElwain and he was also present at the information evening.

The musical was written by Waterford man Brian Flynn.