Local Notes 25th Jan 2011

GRANAGH   PLAYERS:

Make a date to meet The Shaughraun in Granagh  ~~   Friday 28th, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th January, nightly at 8.00pm.  

 

Everyone involved with the Play, over the weekend, were absolutely delighted with the performances and the audience reaction, none

more so than the Producer and Cast. 

All the actors were delighted to  get on stage eventually and see the results of their hard work over the last number of months finally come to fruition. 

They were thrilled with the support received from family, friends, neighbours and workmates.  This is so vital and most encouraging for all on stage as it pushes

them to to perform to the highest standard.   And indeed they did pull out all the stops andprovide wonderful entertainment each night as proved by

audience compliments afterwards. 

 

This year, it was not possible to have a backstage crew as there were already seventeen of a cast to fit.   So the actors, along with  having to act, have to take

on and off their own props, they do all the singing and even supply the animal sounds.    Seamus Murphy has the imitation of Tatthers, the dog,

off to a tee and has recently added a flock of chickens. !      We have five fine singers, The Shaughraun himself, Jimmy Chawke, Tom Noonan, Marylee

Stapleton, Patsy Power and Carmel Clifford and Sophie Butler plays the violin

Mike O'Regan is on lighting and Eileen Simcox on prompting and if she has any spare hands, helps out with extra lights and even has to pull the curtain.!! 

Jimmy likes to get the most out of people and avail of all their talents....!!!

With such a big group there is always a great buzz in the dressing room.   We have three make-up ladies this year,  Mary & Emma Morrissey and Jade Cuthbert

(  who is actually training in that area).   They have a constant queue in front of them, making some look older and some look younger, which is asking allot  of them really... 

 

Running an event such as this, over six nights, is not possible without the help and co-operation of many.    Each night there is a rota of  lads outside

to manage the parking, we have front of house,  our Meet & Greet staff -  Then you have those in the Shop, the Kitchen, Ticket Sellers and ladies who bring delicious sandwiches andpastries.     All come together on a totally voluntary basis. 

We have a list of twenty three sponsors up in the Hall and we have been overwhelmed by their generosity.    We really did not expect people to be so

generous this year and are deeply grateful to them.    We have at least seven wonderful prizes each night.

 

Our producer and cast give total commitment to the play and life revolves around rehearsals for three or four months so the spouses and children get to

see very little of them.    Without their support it would be very difficult to maintain  such a high standard of drama.   Indeed our producer this year went to

extraordinary lengths and braved  bitter cold nights to be at rehearsals when he should have been resting.     After spending five hours per night at the hall over the weekend, we know it has to be very hard going for him.      

We are so lucky in Granagh to still have that wonderful sense of community, where people are willing to work together and support all kinds of local activities

which benefit the entire community.     Hopefully this spirit will continue to grow in the parish. 

Many thanks also to Pat Fitzgerald.   He has our notes and photos up on the  Granagh website -  www.ballingarry.blogspot.com , so that those away from home

can keep in contact with all that is going on. 

 

MACRA  CAPERS:

Limerick Shannonside Macra are through to the ' Capers ' Final in Cappaquin on Saturday 29th Jan.   They wanted to run through their show before a live

audience so we have invited them along after our next rehearsal on Wednesday 27th at 8.45pm, where they will perform their twenty minute light

entertainment programme.   All welcome to come along.

 

YOUTH  CHOIR:

Congratulations to the members and leaders of our youth choir on their great performance in U.L. last Sunday night, they did us proud.   What a great

experience for them.

 

 

GRANAGH UTD.,F.C.:

Lotto  Results:    No Winner:        Numbers :-  7. 3. 17. 20.

Lucky Dips Winners of € 20. each :-   Paul Power, Granagh. Nuala Stapleton, Granagh and Lyndsey Buckley c/o The Rock.

Next weeks draw takes place in  Hickeys Bar, Croom,   for a Jackpot of € 8,800. 

Tickets available at O` Gorman's Foodstore Granagh, Hickeys Bar Croom, The Rock Bar Granagh, & Bennis'  Bar Ballyagran.

Matches:    All games were cancelled over the weekend due to frozen pitches.

STAR  HEADINGS:

Anyone who buys the Daily Star paper -  The club are trying to collect two hundred and fifty headings to get a set of jerseys which are on offer at the moment.

Cut them off the paper and give to any member of the club.     Valid between Thursday 20th Jan to Thur Feb 3rd.   Thank you.

COMMUNITY GAMES:

Double gold:    On Saturday afternoon last our under 10 and under 12 draughts teams travelled to Rathkeale to contest the 2011 county finals.

U/10:

In this group we were against Feenagh / Kilmeedy, Hospital /Herbertstown and Croagh / Kilfinny. We defeated Feenagh / Kilmeedy and Hospital

/ Herbertstown to set up a final round match against Croagh / Kilfinny with both teams knowing that a victory would see them crowned champions.

After a great effort from both teams our team of Sophie Alymer, Mark Sheahan, Michael Sheahan, Eve Higgins, Ciara O Connor, Molly Cagney

 and Orla Lynch emerged victorious and to loud cheers from our large group of supporters were crowned county champions.

U12:

Newcastle West, Rathkeale, Kildimo / Pallaskenry and Ballingarry / Granagh contested this very difficult group. After hard earned victories over

Rathkeale and Newcastle West our team of Gearoid Lynch, Conor Lynch, Eoin Sheahan, Orla Lenihan, Sean English, Sean O’Connor and Luke

Flynn faced Kildimo / Pallaskenry. After a titanic struggle of gigantic proportions both teams relied on their vast skill and experience to end the

game in a draw. Results from previous games meant that we were champions, but only just. Great credit is due to this team for doing so well.                            Many thanks to Micheal O’Brien and Rathkeale Community games for officiating and providing refreshments on the day.                                                           Also many thanks to  the parents and supporters who brought players to training and to the matches.  Without their support the show would not go on.

MERIT AWARDS:   Our annual Merit Awards night has been rescheduled for Sunday February 6^th in the Hall Ballingarry. It will run from 6 to 8pm. The winners of our art competition and Hand Writing competition will be announced and prizes presented to the winners. Also our Merit Awards and the Elaine Cahill Memorial Trophy will be presented. There will be a disco for the children to enjoy and spot prizes for the best dancers. Admission is €3 per child.THANKS: I would like to thank everyone who helped out on Sunday last for the hosting of the school Primary Quiz. Seventeen teams competed and everything went very well on the day but unfortunately our local school did not qualify for the next round. Better luck next time.

MORE  DRAMA:

A feast of drama in the surrounding areas at present.  Knockaderry  group are performing their comedy  ' Holiday Snaps' on Friday 28th, Sunday 30th, Sunday Feb 6th. 

Once they are finished, Ballinvreena's Canavour Players will be running their comedy ' My Wife's Family '  for eight nights.