From Page to Parish Stage

A celebration of drama in Corofin over the past 80 years

We welcome friends and supporters to St Patrick’s Hall Corofin to celebrate the Hall’s 80th birthday and 10 years since its refurbishment. September 18th will be an evening of celebration, recognition, gratitude, remembrance and nostalgia. We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane and celebration of all things great about drama in our community.

A celebration of the work of Gerard Kennedy

In recognition of his contribution to both drama and St Patrick’s Hall, we begin with an introduction to Gerard Kennedy’s dramatic profile, followed by Corofin Dramatic Society’s production of Credit Crunch written by Gerard Kennedy.

A short history of Corofin Dramatic Society

Drama has always been an integral part of life in Corofin.

In previous decades, the staging of a play was a social event, an entertaining event and, in many cases, a fund-raising event. In February 1945 Kilnaboy Dramatic Society presented two plays at the Town Hall, Ennis, to raise money for a new hall in Corofin. Over three nights in March of the same year, Corofin Players staged two plays at the LDF Hall, located in a remaining portion of the old workhouse at Newtown Corofin. They brought the production to several other towns and villages around the county, all in aid of the new parochial hall in Corofin. The Kilnaboy plays were a 3-act The New Gossoon by George Sheils and a one-act Fledged and Flown by Brian Michael O’Connor. The Corofin plays were The Far Off Hills, a three-act play by Lennox Robinson and T.C. Murray’s two-act Birthright.

In the 80 years since then, Corofin Dramatic Society have produced more than 100 productions, staged locally in St Patrick’s Hall Corofin, Teach Ceoil Corofin, Kilnaboy School, and even Pat O’Reilly’s hayshed! Across Clare in Lisdoonvarna, Doolin, Doonbeg, Scariff and Kilmihil and numerous locations around Ireland from Rossmore in West Cork to Strabane in Co Tyrone. In competition, Corofin Dramatic Society have won two One-act Confined All Ireland’s (1993 and 2011) and one full length Confined All-Ireland (2008). The group proudly stages the work of local writers such as Gerard Kennedy, Patricia Shannon, Bridie Cox, John Clancy and most recently, Neil Haran, whose one-act play Contradictions will participate in the 2025 one-act circuit this autumn.

In this section of the evening, the rich history of Corofin Dramatic Society will be presented and discussed.

In Recognition of our President, Mr Willie Lahiffe

On this special night of celebration, where we focus on the collective rather than the individual, the power of community and group instead of the singular, it is necessary to recognise the contribution of one member, the one and only Mr Willie Lahiffe.

For over 60 years, Willie has been the steady hand and quiet strength that kept our dramatic heart beating. His determination for constant improvement, his insistence on the continual purchasing of lighting and sound systems, even when funds were low, his pride in all things Corofin, inspired us every step of the way and helped make us what we are today. This presentation is in grateful recognition of a lifetime of dedication, passion, fun and exceptional service to the dramatic and cultural life of our community.

Go raibh míle maith agat.

From 1945 to 2025 in Pictures

Over the years Corofin Dramatic Society has gathered hundreds of wonderful photographs, capturing productions, people, and memories. While we all enjoy some refreshments together, we’ll be sharing a slideshow of images from more than 54 shows. We hope you’ll have fun spotting familiar faces and moments – and that the pictures spark plenty of happy memories and conversations.

Before the night is over, we’d also love to take a group photograph of everyone present – past and current members alike. Each of you is part of what makes the Society what it is today, and it would mean a lot to capture that in a photo for the future.

Here’s to the next 80 years!