HaggleRock Theatre Group set to tread the boards this June at the Droichead Arts Centre

HaggleRock Theatre Group have announced that their previous ‘sell out’ performance of ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’ in March will take to the stage again at the Droichead Arts Centre, Stockwell Street, Drogheda for three nights only on June 16th, 17th & 18th.

The cast had just about hung up their costumes when they received the call inviting them to join the line up of events in the prestigious Droichead Arts Centre.

Patricia Reynolds, Chairman of the group said: “The invitation came out of the blue when an audience member from the Drogheda area attended one of our shows and brought it to the attention of the Droichead Arts Centre.

“For anyone who missed the local performance in March, it’s a chance to come to Drogheda to see this hilarious comedy. The plot is super with lots of laughs and mystery and the audience will be treated to a fun filled evening.”

‘Only an Hour From Dublin’, penned by Grainne Jordan (originally from Ardee and now living in Dublin), is a hilarious two act comedy set during the ‘boom and bust’ era of the Celtic Tiger.  Featuring a ‘well to do’ family who live on a country estate in a fictional town only an hour from the capital, it tells the story of how the family have to lease out their stately home to increase revenue. A family of ladies from the Liberties in Dublin decide to rent the house and open a B&B but problems arise when they discover the house is haunted.

The cast includes well known names from and Ardee including;  Patricia Reynolds, Joan Wilson, Margaret Gamble, Fiona O’Murchu, John Tumilty, Brian McElroy, Frank McGrath, Suzanne Kavanagh, Tom Doonan, Eimear Boyle and Anne Donaghy.  The play is directed by Pat Cleary and produced by Brigitte Nelson.

‘Only An Hour From Dublin’ will take place over three nights at the Droichead Arts Centre on June 16th, 17th & 18th at 8 pm.

Tickets cost €12 or €10 concession, and can be purchase at their two locations in Stockwell Street or Barlow House, West Street, Drogheda or via their website www.droichead.com. Telephone enquiries can also be made to 041 98 33946.

HaggleRock Theatre Group makes donations to three local community groups

Presentations of €1,000 to St Fursey’s National School from HaggleRock Theatre Group. From L to R: Noeleen Gernon – HaggleRock, Patricia Reynolds – Chairman of HaggleRock, Principal Marie Doonan – St Fursey’s School and Michelle Reidy – HaggleRock

HaggleRock Theatre Group gathered on Thursday evening in The Stone House Restaurant, Blackrock to hand over donations to three local community groups which was a result of the proceeds from their recent sell out performance ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’.

Chair Patricia Reynolds said: “I am delighted to be in a position to hand over three donations to our local community in Haggardstown and Blackrock.  The group’s aim from the beginning in June 2014 was to have fun and enjoy the genre of theatre/acting and in addition to make new friends and give back to the community.”

That dream became a reality as the members gathered to celebrate the success of their first performance of ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’ and were proud to be able to give something back to their local communities.

The first donation of €1,000 went to St Fursey’s National School in Haggardstown where principal, Marie Doonan collected the cheque on behalf of the school. HaggleRock Theatre Group expressed their thanks in allowing them to hold their weekly meetings and rehearsals for the past seven months free of charge in the school hall.

The second donation of €1,000 was made to The Geraldines’ GFC in Haggardstown with chairman Padraig McDonnell accepting. The Geraldines’ stepped up and offered the use of their hall to stage HaggleRock’s first performance.  The venue proved to be a fantastic choice and the event was a sell out on both nights thanks to strong back up teams from committees in HaggleRock and the Geraldines, who went above and beyond the call of duty.

The final donation of €500 went to the Blackrock Park committee for whom Karen Coan, Richard Martin, Shirley Durkin and Anne Fennelly collected the cheque on their behalf.  This donation was a random choice due to the huge amount of work being undertaken to enhance the park at present. It is hoped that in the near future HaggleRock Theatre will make donations to other organisations in the community from future productions that they plan to stage.

Some other fantastic news announced on the night was the invitation to perform ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’ at the Droichead Arts Centre for three nights on June 16th, 17th and 18th at 8pm.  Tickets can be purchase at their two locations in Stockwell Street and Barlow House on West Street, Drogheda or alternatively on their website www.droichead.com

Presentations of €500 to Blackrock Park from HaggleRock Theatre Group. From L to R: Shirley Durkin and Anne Fennelly – Blackrock Park committee, Brian McElroy, Fiona O’Murchu and Patricia Reynolds – HaggleRock Theatre, Karen Coan and Richard Martin – Blackrock Park.

Presentations of €1,000 to Geraldines GFC from HaggleRock Theatre Group. From L to R: Amy Galligan – HaggleRock, Padraig McDonnell – Chairman of Geraldines GFC, Patricia Reynolds – Chairman of HaggleRock Theatre, Paula Hand – Geraldines’ GFC, Margaret Gamble – HaggleRock and Bernard Young – Geraldines GFC

HaggleRock prepare to stage their first production ‘Only an hour from Dublin’

The HaggleRock Theatre Group cast for Only An Hour from Dublin

HaggleRock Theatre Group are making final preparations to stage their first production ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’ written by Grainne Jordan, directed by Pat Cleary and produced by Brigitte Nelson on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March in the Geraldines’ clubrooms in Haggardstown.

Only an Hour from Dublin is a two act comedy based on a Dublin family from the Liberties who take over a B&B in a fictional town only an hour from the capital.  Problems arise when a local auctioneer wants them to sell the estate to make a financial gain.

The cast includes; Tom Doonan, Patricia Reynolds, Joan Wilson, Frank McGrath, John Tumilty, Suzanne Kavanagh, Anne Donaghy, Brian McElroy, Margaret Gamble, Eimear Boyle and Fiona O Murchu.

Director Pat Cleary said: “Rehearsals are going great and the play is really coming together. It’s great craic with loads of laughs and mystery! The cast have embraced their roles and are improving with each rehearsal. By the end of March, they’ll be just perfect. Overall, I reckon, anybody who attends is in for a fun filled evening.”

In addition to the cast, there is a strong team in the background helping to make this a success, by building and designing sets, making costumes, testing sound and lighting, finding props and marketing the even. The teams include: Eileen Munnelly, Amy Galligan, Anne Callan, Tom Ridgeway, Jack Montgomery, Maeve Ahern, Mary Reilly, Karen Maguire, Caraline Whittingham, Michelle Reidy and Noeleen Gernon.

Chairman Patricia Reynolds said: “I am very proud of HaggleRock Theatre Group, the team are totally committed to making this venture a huge success.  I do hope the people will come along and support us on as it is hoped that some of the proceeds of the two nights will be allocated back into the community.”

Only An Hour From Dublin was written by Grainne Jordan, a native of County Louth. She said: “I’m deeply honoured that HaggleRock is staging my play, and look forward to seeing the production. I wish the cast and crew every success. My sister Eimear Boyle will be taking on the role of “Nancy”, which adds to the excitement on my part!  My family are based in Ardee, and I have a brother living in Blackrock so it’s a bit of a homecoming for the play.”

Only An Hour From Dublin will take place on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th March at 8 pm in The Geraldines’ clubrooms, in Haggardstown, with a full bar available on both nights. Tickets can be purchased for €10 each through cast or committee members, in BHK Credit Union, St Francis NS, Blackrock, or by calling Amy on 086 226 8606.

HaggleRock prepare to host ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’

HaggleRock Theatre Group, who are based in Haggardstown and Blackrock, take to the stage with their first production of ‘Only An Hour From Dublin’ on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th of March in the Geraldines’ GAA clubrooms in Haggardstown.

This three act comedy is based in the ‘Celtic Tiger’ era and is about a Dublin family from the Liberties who take over a stately B&B only an hour from the capital. Problems arise, however, when a local estate agent wants to sell the property to make a financial gain.

Tickets cost €10 each and are available from BHK Credit Union or by contacting Amy on 086 2268606.