Mayo secondary school win All-Ireland drama award

MARCH 10 will go down as a historic day in the annals of the Sacred Heart School, Westport, when its scooped the All-Ireland drama champions crown.

Having entered on numerous occasions into the All-Ireland drama competition, a group of transition year students became the first group from the school, Co. Mayo and even the province of Connaught to claim the title of All-Ireland drama champions.

A second group featuring girls from all years except sixth year performed amazingly in the light entertainment competition to finish in third place in Ireland - another fantastic achievement.

The drama commenced the night before the competition when one of the girls had a positive Covid test. Ruby Slok very bravely stepped up to fill the breach, with a swiftly organised early morning rehearsal organised, and Ruby setting about learning her lines.

The finals were held in Fermoy, Co. Cork, at the Palace Theatre, where with costumes on and stage make-up applied under the watch of talented Jessie Troy, on night one SHS were the last group to perform in the finals, giving an amazing performance of the play ‘Reunion on Gallows Hill’. The audience were mesmerised from start to finish and the girls received a fabulous ovation from their fellow competitors.

Great work was done by Jennifer Sheehan, Lara O'Malley, Sophie Coffey and Martyna Jaworska on the set and lighting, earning awards for best set and best lighting.

Best director went to Seamas Mac Eachmharcaigh of Sacred Heart School, followed by the girls being announced as main winners on the night - All-Ireland champions.

The cast of the play was as follows: Rebecca - Áine Duffy, Patience - Ruby Slok, Martha - Niamh Morrin, Hester - Robyn Conway Reidy, Goodwife Good - Narissa Conroy, Nancy - Niamh Muldoon, Debbie - Ruth Pelham Burn, Carol - Zoe O'Grady, Jade - Emily O'Connell, Jessica - Lucy O'Connell, Cynthia - Eva Browne, and Elizabeth - Katie Hart.

The following morning commenced with a rehearsal for the production for the light entertainment competition.

Three first years, two second years, one third year, two TYs and two fifth years had come together over the previous months to put together a short musical, ‘Woman to Woman’, telling the story of the relationship between Granuaile and Queen Elizabeth the First of England. Many hours of rehearsal had been put in.

The girls put in an incredible performance, and their singing, choreography and acting was outstanding, making their director and crew very proud. Particular mention has to be made to the outstanding vocal performances of Jessie Troy and Laoise O'Toole.

When the awards were announced, Ruby Slok and Alexandra Bennett were announced as the best musicians, with SHS placed a fantastic third overall.

The cast were: Grace - Laoise O’Toole, Elizabeth - Jessie Troy, narrators Maud McCabe and Emma Ryan, musicians Ruby Slok and Alexandra Bennett, and chorus members Maud McCabe, Emma Ryan, Elisa Carr, Grace O'Brien, Eleanor McNally and Ivie Carr.

Director Seamas Mac Eachmharcaigh would like to sincerely thank all the parents and families of the girls for their support and for bringing them to early rehearsals, collecting them from late ones and for being so kind and supportive throughout the whole process.

He would also like to thank the girls so very much for their commitment, hard work and great company over the last six months of rehearsals.

As this is most likely his last year doing drama in the school, they will be special memories to look back on fondly in years to come.

Seamus is not disappearing from the drama scene, however. He will be back next year with some community-based youth drama projects.