AN TAIDHBHEARC, 90 YEARS A’GROWING
by Tom Kenny
On December 3rd, 1927, a group of people met with the idea of setting up an Irish Language Theatre in Galway. The committee elected were Dr. Séamus Ó Beirn, President; Seán Mac Giollarnáith, Treasurer; Liam Ó Briain and Séamus Luibhéid, Secretaries; An tAthair Pádraic Ó hEidhin, Liam Ó Buachalla, Síle Ní Chinnéide, Tomás Ó Raghallaigh, Mícheál Ó Droighneáin, Donal Ó Riordáin and Tomás Ó Máille.
They managed to get £600 from the minister Ernest Blythe and they collected some money locally toward the project. They selected a Parish Hall (built in 1912) which belonged to the Augustinians in Middle Street as a venue and they brought Mícheál MacLiammóir and Hilton Edwards from Dublin to advise on alterations to the building. The hall became a 211 seater theatre and it opened 90 years ago on August 27th, 1928 with a production of “Diarmuid and Gráinne” written by MacLiammóir and directed by Edwards. MacLiammóir played the lead and the cast included Máire Ní Scolaí, Liam Ó Briain, Mícheal Ó Droighneáin, Máirtín Ó Direáin. They played to packed houses until September 2nd.
Frank Dermody became the artistic director after MacLiammóir and Edwards left to found the Gate Theatre in Dublin. In 1935, An Taidhbhearc took part in the first live radio broadcast from Galway and in many subsequent broadcasts. Walter Macken took over the reins as director in 1939 and he produced, directed and acted in 47 subsequent productions.
In 1950, the opening of a landmark production of “San Siobhán” starring Siobhán McKenna was attended by President DeValera. Bishop Browne refused an invitation because ‘it was unbecoming of a bishop to attend a play by George Bernard Shaw’
In 1956, Traolach Ó hAonghusa took over as artistic director, and later a number of locals, who were by now experienced theatre people, were invited to direct plays... Seán Stafford, Dicky Byrne, Paddy Boyle, Mick Lally, Pat Heaney etc.
For many years this company was the only regular source.of theatre in Galway. All of the productions were in the Irish language and included drama festivals, siamsaí, concerts, feiseanna ceoil, visiting productions etc. In more recent times, English speaking groups have featured here, they have hosted countless premieres, operas, ballets etc. A great many actor’s careers began here and many many famous thespians have graced the boards.
The survival of this small theatre is a major success story in itself, to have made it to a 90th anniversary is remarkable There have been many highs but there have also been many lows – financial troubles, a major refurbishment, an actors revolt, a bad fire etc, so enjoy the celebrations Taidhbhearcóirs and continued success to you. May you have many more memorable moments. Bail Ó Dhia ar an obair.