17 May 2023

Borris-Ileigh Drama Group to perform Widows’ Paradise

Borris-Ileigh Drama Group is delighted to announce its upcoming production of the side-splitting comedy play, “Widows’ Paradise” written by Sam Cree and directed by Mary Boyle. The play promises to take audiences on a riotous journey filled with laughter, memorable characters, and an unforgettable evening of entertainment. The play will be performed on Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd May in The Marian Hall, Borrisoleigh at 8pm, admission €10.. 

“Widows’ Paradise” follows the escapades of five women who seek refuge from their individual ‘man troubles’ by embarking on a weekend getaway in a coastal caravan. Of course things don’t go according to plan with resulting hilarity. Written by the legendary Irish playwright Sam Cree, who also wrote for the ‘Carry On’ movie series, “Widows’ Paradise” has captivated theatregoers around the world since its debut. With its sharp wit, clever dialogue, and uproarious situations, audiences are ensured of a great night’s entertainment. 

This will be the first production by Borris-Ileigh Drama Group since before the pandemic and the cast and crew have put in a  phenomenal amount of work to get to this point. It also marks the 10th anniversary of the group’s reforming in 2013. The  dedication of the actors, producers and all the backstage crew is second to none, with their greatest reward being happy in the knowledge that they have entertained an appreciative audience. Your support is greatly appreciated. Contains adult themes, may not be suitable for young children.

The cast of Widows’ Paradise to be performed by Borris Ileigh Drama Group on 22nd & 23rd May. Standing L-R: Brid Bradshaw, Dylan Reid, Clóda Scanlan, Micheal ‘Cecil’ Teirney, Kellie Kelly, Derry O Donnell. Seated L-R: Ollie Delaney, Antoinette McMahon, Paul Boyle, Marie Murray.

Borrisoleigh Historical Society

Borrisoleigh Historical Society

Famine in Borrisoleigh and the Cullohill evections of 1850.

On Monday night 22 May next at 8.00 pm, in the local Community Centre, local historian, John Connors will deliver a talk on the Irish famine as it played out in his native parish.

With material sourced from the National and newspaper archives, this talk paints a somber picture of hunger, despair and death that prevailed in that village and surrounding countryside 185 or so years ago.  While many valiant efforts were made by some to alleviate the distress and hardship, John’s talk will also focus on the landlords who stood by unaffected and disinterested.

The talk will also deal with an event of seismic proportions, sadly well forgotten in local history, when in July of 1850, a total of 470 people were dispossessed and evicted from their farms and hovels in the general area of Cullohill. These were left to find shelter under the open sky or seek the sanctuary of the dreaded workhouse.

The world has sadly seen too many famines and displacements of people since that terrible devastation was visited on Ireland in 1845. One of those, the Holodomor [death by starvation], inflicted by Russia on Ukraine in 1932/33, resulted in the deaths of many millions of Ukrainians. Sofiia Mandrusiak from the city of Kolomyiia in Ukraine, will briefly address the gathering on that genocidal attack on the people of her native land and also say a few words on the links of common history that bind our two nations.

Parish News

Eucharistic Adoration

Borrisoleigh Parish Pastoral Team

During Laudato Si week the Templemore Parish Pastoral Team has arranged a very interesting talk titled “Making sense of our Creation Story” to be given by Michael Long, Cabra Wetlands in the McAuley Centre, Templemore on Tuesday 23rd May, 2023 at 8pm. This initiative is aimed at fostering communications between the four parishes in our area group.  They have requested that as many people as possible from our parish would support this very interesting evening.

Community Climate Coaches

We want you on the team. Apply here or contact us at coaches@sustainable.ie with any questions. If you are interested but have any additional needs that wouldn’t allow you to participate, do get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate you. www.sustainable.ie

Facilitating Community Well-Being and Resilience!

Bealtaine Festival 2023 – Smartphone Workshops

Knitting and Crochet Group

Knitting and Crochet Group continues to meet every Wednesday at 10am. New members with other skills or none always welcome.

Pic of the Past

Outside Harty’s, Upper Main Street
Mick Smith, Tom Bourke, Tom Harty, Paddy Harty
Note: old Shell petrol pump. This shop was situated
where the Harty Family live today