I am delighted to report that Newpoint have ALREADY scored at least one FIRST (at time of uploading!) for Murder in the Cathedral, AND Lawrie Hodgett won best actor and Sean Treanor, Best Producer, at the Newtownstewart Festival.
Recreation
Newry Drama Festival Programme 1
Donal O’Hanlon, our reader and contributor, is just one of the many Newpoint stars who will feature in the Town Hall on Tuesday 28th March in Murder in the Cathedral, that powerful verse dr
Drama Festival Programme
We were somewhat concerned last year about the number (and, frankly, the quality!) of entries to Newry’s Annual Dr
Aislin McGuckin Actress
Aislin McGuckin is a wonderful actress from Newry, please read below for an overview of the beautiful performances she brings to the stage!
During a recent visit to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre at Stratford upon Avon to see a performance of Twelfth Night, I arrived with just enough time to purchase a programme and find my seat before lights down.
Aislin McGuckin On Stage
As a consequence I did not have time to familiarize myself with names or history of cast members. However, I settled down to watch and hopefully to enjoy the performance.
Suffice to say, I could not have been too enthralled because my mind drifted back to Newry Town Hall (yes!, it was Town Hall during my time there). I recalled quite vividly, amateur productions that were as ‘professionally’ performed, in my humble and perhaps biased view as the one I was currently watching!
Was it perhaps, a case of those rose-tinted specs again? I think not. After all, Newry does seem to have an ability to turn out talent of a high calibre.
As my attention and concentration returned to Stratford and the play being performed, I was drawn to the character, the Countess Olivia, who was undoubtedly giving a splendid performance: I was pleasantly surprised to notice that she had an Irish accent, albeit a polished Irish accent, but there was a definite northern twang.
During the interval I had ample time to peruse the programme and to discover that the Countess Olivia was being played by one Aislin McGuckin. She appeared to be an actress with considerable experience in theatre, television and film work. So, who was this paragon and from where did she hail? I was keen to know more!
On my return home it was simple enough, with the aid of my computer, to research Aislin McGuckin. Imagine then my dumbfounded surprise to find that Aislin not only hails from my home town but is also, like me, a past pupil of the Sacred Heart School!
So, ok, I hold up both hands! I plead guilty to possibly being the only person from Newry, indeed maybe the whole of the Irish Isle, who was not aware of yet another star in our galaxy. I am now! And I shall track this particular star’s journey with very special interest.
I do realize of course, that Aislin is only one of many talented people from Newry who have followed their dream and made it to the ‘big time’.
I extend my personal gratitude to one and all. Long may they choose to entertain and amuse those of us with lesser talents.
Art Bennett: History of Ireland
Further to that photocopied letter of Art Bennett’s that Tom McKeown found among his papers – a story we published here last month.
Gosford Castle Sold!
The ‘tourist news’ this week is of the sale, for the ‘competitive market price’ of
Speaking on behalf of the developer [Gosford Castle Development Limited], Arthur Acheson of The Boyd Partnership (ironically it was the Achesons who originally commissioned the building, with stone pillaged from the Annacloughmullion Cairn near Lislea) said,
‘Applications have been made for Listed Buildings Consent and Planning Permission with the intent to convert the Castle into twenty-three private homes.
This gives the public and elected representatives an opportunity to see and comment on our plans.’ So that’s all right, then.
The announcement of the sale was made by the (English) Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Jeff Rooker.
The press blurb alleged that ‘significant interest was forthcoming in 2002 when the property was advertised on the open market’, presumably the reason it took four years to complete at the ‘competitive tender’ of
Ballinalack Tunnel
Have another look at that panorama of
Poet’s Trail Walk
We all need to get out now and walk off all that excess food we consumed over the holiday. I suggest the Poet’s Trail around Mullaghbawn.
History Tomorrow
We have recently highlighted the release of “History Tomorrow” a new collection of short stories and poems by local writer Sean Maguire.
Sean has informed us that he has received a favourable response to the book. The book contains short stories and poems which focus heavily on the ‘troubles’ and the peace process.
The book is now on sale at Easons in the Buttercrane Centre in Newry.
The book retails at