Camross Drama Group
https://www.facebook.com/camrossdramagroup
Gillian Dunlop at gmdunlop@hotmail.com or
Breda Banville at bredabanville@gmail.com
The first meeting of Caroreigh Dramatic Class, now called Camross Drama Group, was held in Old School, Caroreigh on 26th September 1955 with fifteen people attending. Three of those people are still with us today, Eileen Flood nee Morrissey, Anne Devereux, nee Foley and Des Waters who has been part and parcel of the group since its foundation and is presently the President of the group. Des has directed a huge number of One Act plays over the years and has six All Ireland wins under his belt.
The group performed a number of 3 Act plays in the early years, the first being ‘Professor Tim’ with all directed by Fr. James MurphyC.C in Caroreigh at the time. Principal in Caroreigh National School, Eugene Coyle, directed a number of 3 Act plays in the sixties, most notable being ‘The Year of the Hiker’ . This same play, with different cast of course and directed by Michael Stafford was doing well on the National circuit before the start of Covid but then all came to a halt and ‘The Hiker’ came to an abrupt finish.
Des Waters directed approx 40 to 50 One Act plays, having huge success along the way including six All Ireland wins. Success came with ‘Spring’, ‘Losers’, ‘The Dumb Waiter’, ‘Birthright’, ‘The Bitter Pill’, and ‘Family Affair’ He secured 3rd in All Ireland with ‘The Man Above’ written by Des himself.
A number of other members have directed One Act plays over the years including Maria Colfer, Michael Doyle, Michael Stafford, Eileen Hannon, Pat Sinnott, Paddy O’Gorman, Marianne Furlong, Mary Brown, Hugh McGinley, Philip Howlin, Gillian Dunlop, Kellie Cox and Breda Banville.
Michael Stafford has directed a number of Full length plays including, The Factory Girls, Reading Turgenav, A Wake in the West, The Two loves of Gabriel Foley and The Loves of Cass McGuire and only in 2022 he and his cast and crew were successful in taking The Kings of Kilburn Highroad to the All Ireland in Ballyshannon. A great achievement for the Camross group.
New members are always welcome in Camross Drama group and we need young and new people to come on board to secure the future of this long established and successful group. A drama group is not only about its performers, helpers backstage, lighting and sound personnel, costume and make up artists, set builders and front of house personnel are always required and welcomed by the group.
Rehearsals and meetings over the years have been held mainly in the Old School, Caroreigh and of late the Camross Hall venue has been used due to its fine size stage in the main hall and the new ‘Upstairs Theatre’ used for meetings, rehearsals and small performances.
The officers and committee for 2022 are
President, Des Waters,
Chairperson, Philip Howlin,
Vice Chairperson, Eileen Hannon,
Secretary, Peggy Doyle,
Assistant Secretary, Margaret Crosbie,
Treasurer, Breda Nolan,
Assistant Treasurer, Breda Breen,
PRO, Gillian Dunlop.
Committee, Breda Banville, Kellie Cox, Mary Brown, Michael Stafford, Paddy O’Gorman, George Hussey, Simon Cox, Cheryl O’Neill, Cathal Byrne, Jennifer Cox and John Howlin.
