Memoirs of Newpoint Players at Newry and Mourne Museum

Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal’s Castle was the venue for an entertaining evening of nostalgia on Thursday night.

‘Memoirs of Newpoint Players’ featured a conversation with long-term members Charlie Smyth, Pat Mooney and Donal O’Hanlon. With the drama group in existence for eight decades, there were many tales to be told.

Charlie shared reminiscences dating from his first role in ‘Charley’s Aunt’ in 1952 – some seven years after the society started. Donal O’Hanlon, who joined the group around 1979, was also a wealth of knowledge on the relatively recent years. The evening was mediated by Pat Mooney. Many names of those who graced their stage over the years were evoked and stories shared with warmth and humour.

The event brings to a close a two-year project funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund. The project allowed the museum to significantly improve the understanding, appreciation and use of its performing arts collection, making accessible local material that has been donated. Newry and Mourne Museum would like to thank everyone who helped in making the project a success.

The exhibition ‘Centre Stage: A History of Performing arts in Newry and Mourne’ will be on display in Newry and Mourne Museum until May.

For further information, please contact the museum on 028 3031 3182.