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About
Us
To keep the Committee busy during the autumn months, the Castlelyons One-Act Drama Festival was established. Designed to promote drama at local and parish level, this festival is now widely known. In 2004 the brave decision was taken that a team representing the Barrymore Players would enter the One-Act Drama Festival circuit. The play chosen was “A Galway Girl”. The cast of two included Ber O’ Sullivan and Donal Howard and a little bit of history was created when this team achieved a first circuit win for Castlelyons in Haulbowline. Directed by Christine McCarthy, this production reached the All-Ireland Final in Carraigallen, Co. Leitrim. Whilst not amongst the winners the team gained valuable experience which would stand them in good stead for the future.
Roll on 2005!!
A new year…. a new challenge, a new director and a new play. A daring test in the form of Derek O’Gorman’s drama “A Family Affair”. Directed by Bernie Howard, newcomer to the One-Act circuit, Pa O’ Leary quickly gelled with the more experienced Ber O’ Sullivan and Donal Howard and all three cast members rose to the challenge presented by this play. Having taken our first win in Ferns, Co. Wexford, this was quickly followed by two subsequent wins in Cork City and Rossmore and a brace of second places in Haulbowline and Kilmallock.
The Castlelyons Drama & Social Group are a very active group and anyone
wishing to join is more than welcome.
After a lapse of several years Castlelyons Social & Drama
Group was revived in 1995 and a production of "Some Tall Cliffe" was
staged with great success in January 1996. From then the group grew from strength
to strength with productions of "Big Maggie", The Last Apache Reunion",
"Moll", several Children's Shows and a teenage musical in March 2003
"Godspell" which proved to be a huge success with packed houses for
every performance.
The group’s final three-act production to date was Brian Friel’s farcical comedy “The Communication Chord”. A dual production team of Donal Howard and Eibhlin Keane ensured that this production was equally successful as those that had gone before.
Another string to the Barrymore Players bow are the numerous productions of children’s musical shows thus ensuring the continuity of stagecraft in Castlelyons for many years to come.
While these victories ensured qualification for the All-Ireland Finals in Naas, Co. Kildare, one huge step remained. The weekend of December 2nd to the 4th is one that will forever remain in the memory of all involved with the Barrymore Players and those loyal supporters who travelled the long road to Naas. Triumphant victory was ours as we took the ultimate prize that we had coveted for so long! Gracious thanks to everybody involved and all those who have supported the Barrymore Players since their foundation.
Millennium
Pageant
The highlight of the drama
and social group would have to be the staging of the "Millennium Pageant"
in August 2000. (photos of this event can be seen on the Community Council Page
of this web site and in the photo gallery below). This event was scripted by
James Ronayne, directed by Donal Sheehan, coordinated by Alma Fenton and Ann
Hegarty and the entire costumes for over 100 cast members were in the capable
hands of Mary Hartnett and Joan Sweeney.
The weekend began with concelebrated Mass in the Carmelite Abbey - the first
to be celebrated there since 1541. During Mass two children were Christened
- baby Alison Mary Hayes and baby Christine Isabelle Sanders. After the Mass
everyone left the historic Abbey and gathered in the marquee for the launch
of the Parish Book - "Cherished Memories of Castlelyons", dedicated
to the people of Castlelyons past and present, near and far. This book was edited
by Marie Fitzgerald Murphy.
The historic pageant drew huge interest and the highlight of the evening was
the re-enactment of all historic events relating to the parish.
The weekend concluded with the crowning of Billy Buckley as "Chieftain
of Castlelyons Parish". This was a great historic weekend enjoyed by thousands
and still spoken about. If you missed out on this wonderful weekend, a video
of all events is available and there are some copies of the book available.
(contact any committee members listed below).
To view a copy of the Millennium Pageant Programme please click here.
Current News and Coming Events
3 Act Play 2009 - "The Cripple of Inishmaan "
3 Act Play 2008 - "As Some Tall Cliff"
3 Act Play 2007 - "The Cobweb Glory"
Barrymore players staged their 3-act play on St Patricks Weekend - “The Cobweb Glory”, this was a very enjoyable play with a bit of romance, gambling & match making all thrown in. The play was produced by Sheila Casolani who also took part in it long side James Murphy, Reidin Murphy, Jenny O’Flaherty, Pat Fenton, Mark O’Flynn and Maurice Carroll and not forgetting Lilly the dog who played the part of Cobweb - thanks to Martin O’Sullivan who owns the dog.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for a great weekends entertainment well done to one and all. We would also like to thank Oliver Beausang, James Parker and Emmet Sweeney for the building of the set and Paul Murphy for lighting and sound over the weekend and all the rest of the committee for all their help over the weekend both back stage and front of house. All those who gave props and Leahy,s Open Farm, Ballynoe. To all those that supported us over the weekend thank you very much, without this support the show could not go on.
Ona Act Play Festival 2006
Our One Act Festival 2006 was a great success, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support again this year. A
great weekend of entertainment was had by all who attended the festival over the 4 nights. A very big thank you to all the groups who took part without your support the festival could not take place looking forward to see you again next year. Thank to all our sponsors and to Cork County Council art dept for your continued support. Results of the weekend:
- The Billy Leahy perpetual memorial cup, for best play
Seven Stages Of An Affair / Swan Music & Theatre Company
- Best Producer , Noelle Clarke
- Best Actor, Patrick Smith
- Best Actress, Ber o Sullivan
- Best Supporting Actor, Eoin Murphy
- Best supporting Actress , Olive Hickey
- Cork Co. Council Award for Best newcomer , Jack o Leary
- Best Set, Split Ends
- Youth Award, Bar & Ger
- Golden Moment of Theatre , Charlie Conway, James Hyde
Congrats to one and all on your performance over the weekend. Hope to see you again next year.
Big Maggie
Barrymore Players Castlelyons presented John B Keane’s play ‘Big Maggie’ during the last weekend in February 2006. The play ran for three nights 24th 25th & 26th February ‘06 in Castlelyons Community Centre. Alma Fenton & Kate Healy took on the job of producing this highly – entertaining and emotionally charged play. John B Keane wrote Big Maggie in 1969 and in the play he examines the complex relationship that exists between Maggie Polpin and her children. Anne Hegarty was given the momentous task of portraying this character. Maggie Polpin is a just widowed mother of four living in rural Ireland, now sole owner of the family shop and farm. She is a complex figure, far from the clichés of Irish femininity, which preceded her. This is a hard-bitten, uncompromising woman who puts her personal security above all other concerns. She rejects the place which cultural precedent has laid out for her and chooses to drive all of her children away rather than nurture them like a mother hen. The serious theme of the play is interspersed with many light moments of comedy.
Musicals Galore
‘Musicals Galore’ directed by the very talented Margot Carlile was staged on December 9th, 10th and 11th 2005. This production contained scenes from the many West End Musicals including ‘The King & I’, Cabaret, Chicago, Blood Brothers Les Miserables and Mamma Mia to mention but a few. This was a wonderful production.
Castlelyons One Act Festival
Our 2005 One Act Festival took place on the 18th / 20th of November 2005. It was a tremendous success and was won by one of our entries "A Family Affair" directed by Bernie Howard and starring Donal Howard, Pa O'Leary and Ber O'Sullivan.
A Great Win at Haulbowline
The Barrymore Players had their first victory in the Haulbowline one-act drama festival on Sunday 14th Nov 2004 when "The Galway Girl" by Geraldine Aron took first place. The play produced by Christine McCarthy with Donal Howard and Ber O Sullivan in the lead roles beat a very fancied "Icarus" drama group from Galway, with Dungarvan drama group in third place. Christine took the "Best Producer" award. The group now have a first, second and third place from 3 festivals and will qualify for the All-Ireland final in Sligo if they win the Rossmore festival
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Pictures
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Rehearsals for "Many Young Men of Twenty"
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