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Roscrea’s “Abbey Theatre”?
On Thursday night last at a presentation night in Roscrea’s partially refurbished Abbey Hall, RCTLC Chairman John Lupton suggested ‘that in the context of hall amenities at present in Roscrea that the future for the “Abbey Hall” should be seen in its transformation into the town’s “Abbey Theatre”. One could envisage, he said, a theatre cum cinema with retractable seating, meeting rooms and kitchen facilities to the rear, (both now in place) and the continuation of the recently completed annexe, extended to the front of the building, thus providing tea/coffee rooms, which would serve the theatre as well as being open to the public outside theatre opening times. There would also be a full time community office in the front of the building.
The Roscrea Parish Council was delighted to give €20,000.00 towards the restoration of Abbey Hall at a special function in the refurbished Abbey Hall on Thursday last. L/R Susan Crawford, Paddy bergin, Noel Aherne and
Fr Tom Corbett.
Empowerment
The RCTLC Chairman read an extract from a local publication of December 1919, which rallied the community and resulted in the raising of £3,000 in shareholding by the then “Roscrea Catholic Club Company Ltd” who in turn built for the community what was to become the “Abbey Hall”. He drew a parallel between that and the people of Roscrea setting up RCTLC 75 years later in 1994, raising shareholding of £150,000 and as a result of that initiative Roscrea Swimming Pool now becoming a reality. John Lupton went on to say that it can be done again and indeed in the present economic situation it must, he said, be done again for it is through such community empowerment that a positive economic multiplier effect will be created and communities such as Roscrea will recover from the recession through a process of also creating essential amenities.
Refurbishment
The abbey hall’s most recent refurbishment has now been completed with the replacement of the entire toilet area, refurbishment to the back rooms and kitchen which has cost in the region of €75,000. this is in addition to necessary refurbishment to the hall expended by RCTLC since they took over the hall in 1996 of a €120,000 approximately.
Funding
RCTLC are hopeful of a grant from North Tipperary Co.Co. and are expecting an announcement in relation to that within days. On Thursday night last the parish priest of Roscrea the Rev.Dr. Tom Corbett and the Chairman of the Pastoral Council Mr Noel Ahearne presented a cheque for €20,000 towards hall refurbishment after which the Musical Society, whose association with the hall goes back to 1941 presented a cheque for €3,000 through its Chairman, Mr Mark McLoughlin. Ms. Ciara Minogue together with Pauline Moloney who organised the recently held “Roscrea’s Got Talent” competition which was sponsored by Roscrea Credit Union presented a cheque to finance new stage curtains etc, in the sum of €3,335.
Roscrea Musical Society was delighted to present a cheque for €3000.00 recently towards the restoration of the Abbey Hall.
Back Row L/R:
Ian Hanrahan, Paddy Moloney, Eileen Moloney, and Niamh O’Donnell
Front L/R:
Seamus Mullaney, Mark McLoughlin, Paddy Bergin, Ger Carroll,
& Siobhan Bowe
5 Km Charity Run
The RCTLC organiser of the 3rd RCTLC 5km run Ms Julie Maguire presented cheques totalling €7,150 to Action Breast Cancer and the Irish Wheelchair Association, represented by Ann Delaney (Limerick Road) and Terry Wilson respectively. Ms Julie Maguire also made presentations to Fergus Maher, and Monica Browne members of the year for 2008 and also to outstanding class members of the year Miriam Martyn and Pamela Murray. In doing so Julie highlighted the fact that RCTLC’s Health & Fitness Centre and the enormous activity and community service being offered by RCTLC will come to an end with the opening of the Swimming Pool a the Health & Fitness Centre will form part of it.
Thanks
John Lupton, in thanking all who contributed to the hall refurbishment, also thanked RCTLC directors, and volunteers and the staff of RCTLC. He especially thanked Susan Crawford, RCTLC Manager and co-ordinator of all work connected with the Abbey Hall and presented her with a bouquet of flowers. Susan in turn thanked all who has worked with her and in particular Noel Hanlon who was the main contractor of the refurbishment work. She also made a special presentation to Liam O’Riordan who has always made himself available on his own time for whatever may need to be done regarding the hall. John Lupton thanked the elected local public representatives and officials of North Tipperary Co.Co. saying that if it were not for Local Authority Grant assistance, work done could not have been done and work which must be done cannot hope to be done, without such grant assistance.
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