Shorelines
PODCASTS
presented by Portumna Arts Group
PODCASTS
presented by Portumna Arts Group
Episode 2:
Portumna Players Drama Group |
Portumna Players amateur drama group came into being in 1945 making it one of the oldest community groups in Portumna. The goals of the founder members were:
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Although decades have passed since those goals were outlined, the core principle of encouraging and sharing a love of the dramatic arts in Portumna and surrounding areas has been upheld. Over 76 years later, a total of 76 productions have entertained generations. This included two trips abroad in more recent times: to the US in 2001 and 2018 to Spain with plans for another Spanish trip in 2020 which had to be cancelled due to Covid.
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In 1995, the Portumna Players leased their own space above the Town Hall affectionately known as The Loft.
To this day, this is the rehearsal and storage area with connecting walkways to the main stage of the Town Hall. In 2011, Aideen O’Reilly wrote a comprehensive history, “Voices in The Loft” – a history in photographs & stories of Portumna Players from 1945-2011. Aideen’s interest in preserving the history of one of the most enduring amateur drama groups began with a search through her late father Michael’s files. Hear Patricia Blehein, Marian Frawley, Jim Hynes, Margaret Mansfield and Marie O’Donnell share their highlights of productions past and take a trip down memory lane. |
Episode 1:
St Patrick’s Day in Portumna |
Casting an eye on Portumna’s parades of the past, Portumna Arts Group invites you to take a trip down memory lane. Relive the buzz on the street, the excitement in the square, the craic on the floats as the participants marched, danced or carried each other in Portumna’s annual parade on tandems, donkeys, ponies and horses, tractors, vintage cars or bicycles.
Led by marching bands, the school band, an army Colour Party, gymnasts, hurlers and Irish dancers, this spectacle never disappointed the onlookers who lined the streets and it attracted a great variety of entries, full of humour and often with a touch of satire. |
Shorelines Arts Festival
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