Entertainment
Longford actor’s promising career is no Stalemate
Longford actor Jamie McClean is set to play one of the lead roles in the Backstage Theatre’s Canal Studio production of ‘Stalemate’ – a new play written and directed by the theatre’s artist-in-residence, Seamus O’Rourke. The production, is currently being rehearsed ahead of its debut at Backstage this Thursday, May 16, after which the crew will embark on a nationwide tour.
Cnoc Mhuire’s Class of ‘86 celebrates reunion
It is 27 years since the Class of ‘86 sat their Leaving Cert at Cnoc Mhuire in Granard, and on May 4 last a very special occasion was held for students from that year, when a reunion was held in the north Longford town.
Oklahoma! a spectacular musical performance
One cannot help being in a joyous, somewhat uplifted state after seeing St. Mel’s Musical Society’s recent production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Oklahoma! directed by Leonard Anderson.
Longford comic reaches UK final
Longford comedian Conor Neville has reached the final of the Chortle Student Comedy Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, after making it through the Dublin heat and the semi-final, which was held in Manchester last weekend.
Beppe Gambetta to play Bog Lane
The Bog Lane Theatre in Ballymahon will host renowned Italian flat-picking guitarist and singer/songwriter Beppe Gambetta on Thursday, May 23 for a special intimate performance.
Actors from the Midlands region are invited to audition for classic ‘Arragh na Pogue’
Canal Studio Productions at the Backstage Theatre are looking for actors from across the Midlands region to audition for roles in their upcoming production of ‘Arragh na Pogue’. The play, which will feature a cast of 15, will be directed by Backstage’s artist-in-residence, Seamus O’Rourke.
Successful celebrations for Drumlish Community Centre’s anniversary
The May Bank Holiday weekend saw the people of Drumlish and the surrounding areas flock to Drumlish Community Centre to watch or participate in the gala weekend organised to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the centre.
Young virtuoso set for St John’s concert
Peter Regan from Lanesboro will be at the centre of a special evening of classical piano music at St John’s Church in Longford Town on Friday next, May 24. The special event will also feature a performance from the internationally-acclaimed pianist John O’Conor, while violinist Phoebe White will also provide accompaniment on the night.
Exciting lineup as Rás kicks off
The much anticipated An Post Rás will pass through Longford on Sunday, May 19 next. With some of the biggest names in the cycling world signed up to participate, there is much to look forward to.
Stalemate at Backstage
Seamus O’Rourke brings his new comedy ‘Stalemate’ to the Backstage Theatre this month for a three-night run at the Longford town venue.
Park House gears up for 27th anniversary charity concert
All roads lead to Edgeworthstown on Monday, May 13 when the Park House Hotel hosts a very special line-up of Irish country music stars to celebrate the venue’s 27th anniversary.
The Sheerin Family return to Cooney’s
The Sheerin family are delighted to announce that after a year of playing together to packed houses, they will continue their regular monthly gig at Cooney’s Hotel in Ballymahon.
Kenagh man solves Dave Allen mystery
On April 29th at 9pm, BBC2 aired a documentary about well-known Irish comedian Dave Allen. The programme, entitled “Dave Allen: God’s own Comedian” went through Allen’s glittering career, showing clips of some of his more outrageous sketches and interviews with those who knew him best – his family, friends and coworkers. However, one question remains unanswered – how did he lose his finger?
Funding for Aisling Festival
The Aisling Children’s Arts Festival is to receive €5,000 in funding from the Arts Council through its Festivals and Events scheme 2013. The Arts Festival which has been in existence for over 10 years has gone from strength to strength since its inception and takes place later this year at St Michael’s NS in Longford town.
2012 Granard Person of the Year announced
There was great excitement in Granard last Friday night when the much loved publican and former politician Carmel Fay became the town’s Person of the Year 2012.
Practice makes perfect
A Lanesboro teenager is currently making waves in the world of classical music. Peter Regan from Rockwood already has a number of high profile performances under his belt in Ireland and across Europe.
Packed line-up for Bealtaine Festival in Longford
Bealtaine Festival 2013 stepped into action last Wednesday as communities throughout the county begin their month long celebration of creativity as we age.
Local author’s Eurovision book
Johnny Fallon, a political analyst and author from Newtowncashel, has co-written ‘The Eurovision 2013 Handbook’ – an eBook containing analysis on each entry in this year’s competition, including detailed assessments of voting patterns.
All set for Longford Fleadh Cheoil 2013 heading
The 2013 Fleadh Cheoil, Contae Longfoirt looks set to get underway in Ballinalee this coming weekend. The Fleadh will be hosted by the Longford branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE), a group dedicated to promoting Irish music and culture.
In full voice
Preparations are currently underway for Longford County Choir’s eagerly anticipated first concert of 2013. The upcoming performance will take place in St Mel’s Cathedral Centre, Longford on Sunday, May 26 at 7pm sharp and is sure to appeal to a wide ranging audience. A varied repertoire is planned for the evening, with the main work being ‘The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace’ by Karl Jenkins.
The Aftermath return home
The Aftermath return to Drumlish this Sunday for a celebration close to the hearts of the band’s two main men, the Cronin brothers, when they play a special gig as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations for Drumlish Community Centre.
Park House set to celebrate 27 years with all-star concert
The Park House Hotel in Edgeworthstown will be the place to be on Monday, May 13 when it hosts an all-star showcase of Ireland’s finest country acts and celebrity special guests.
Gathering inspires ‘Return of the Rossies’
The Co Roscommon town of Boyle will come alive at the end of May when it hosts a 10-day festival to coincide with The Gathering. The ‘Return of the Rossies’ is the county’s flagship gathering event, and it has been organised in association with Roscommon Co Council.
Noel Cassidy plays Ballinamuck and Ennybegs
One of Co Longford’s finest country singers, Noel Cassidy will play two of the county’s most popular venues over the course of this coming bank holiday weekend.
61st RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival is launched
The RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival was launched last Wednesday at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin.
Sssh....Silent comes to Backstage
Theatre fans are in for a treat in May when the internationally renowned ‘Silent’ pays a visit to the Backstage Theatre in Longford.
Uplifted by Helium
With The Stunning headlining this year’s Helium Festival in Ballymahon, there is no doubt that the event will attract a huge gathering, as fans of all ages descend on the picturesque south Longford town on June 8 next.
Wheels in motion for Love Longford festival
Excitement is already building ahead of the inaugural Love Longford summer festival, which will take place at several locations throughout Longford town at the end of next month.
Scientist turned author launches first book
A self-published debut novel by a new local author was launched in Longford last week, adding another name to Longford’s extensive literary list.
Medical student from Tang crowned Longford Rose 2013 video
24-year-old Aisling Farrell from Tang was crowned the Longford Rose 2013 following a gala event at the Longford Arms last Saturday night.
Drumlish to celebrate 25 years of local Community Centre
Drumlish Community Centre is set to celebrate its 25th anniversary in style this weekend with a number of events to cater for all ages and interests.
Dancing to the top
She may be just 11-years-old, but Ballinalee’s Regina Rawle has taken the Irish dancing scene by storm in recent months and clinched herself a very special accolade along the way, following her participation in this year’s World Dancing Championships which were held in Boston recently.
Strokestown’s Festival of Literature
The 2013 Strokestown International Festival of Literature takes place from May 3-5 next and the line up of events is extensive.
Longford Rose will be selected this Saturday night
Following on from a very successful launch at Longford’s Tally Ho Bar on Sunday, we are only days away from finding out who will be the 2013 Rose of Tralee.
Summer camp kids will release charity single
Starcamp will once again be holding their award-winning summer camps in almost 100 locations throughout Ireland this summer. The Longford camp will take place in the town’s Temperance Hall on August 6 – 10. Aimed at boys and girls aged between 4 and 13, the children will stage a show at the end of the week for their families to come and enjoy. The ethos is to build self-esteem and confidence in children in a non-competitive environment and the camp is open to children of all ability levels.
Longford students at the helm of prestigious third level publication
Two Longford students have been at the helm of a very prestigious third level publication recently as part of their MA in Literature and Publishing at NUI Galway.
An Jig Gig returns to TG4
TG4 are looking for competitors to take part in series five of the station’s popular Irish dancing show, An Jig Gig.
Lisa McHugh returns to the Landmark
Lisa McHugh makes a welcome return to the Landmark Hotel in Carrick-on-Shannon this Sunday, April 28 after recently releasing her latest album, ‘Dreams Come to Life’.
More acts announced for Helium 2013
Helium, the award-winning micro music festival based in Ballymahon, has announced more additions to its already impressive line-up.
New Longford author bursts on the scene with “Alice-Rose”
“The year is 2011 and the place is Ireland. Libby Finn is still shadowed by grief after the death of her husband Max. The era of the ‘Celtic Tiger’ has come to an end and the young widow has managed to survive the economic downturn better than most. However, despite seeming to possess every obvious advantage, Libby is resigned to a somewhat-less-than-rosy future, and one destined, in her opinion, to be without a great romantic love.”
All set for ‘A Marriage of Connivance’
The Latin School Players in Moyne are making final preparations for their production of ‘A Marriage of Connivance’, which will be staged in the Latin School Community Centre this weekend.
Sing when you’re winning
A County Longford girl has been wowing judges and audiences at recent Feis Ceoil competitions with her exceptional singing talent. Maria Matthews from Moyne has even been awarded a bursary to further her development as a classical vocalist after she claimed first place at the Feis Ceoil in Sligo recently.
Strokestown Park House sets the scene for TV3 show
Strokestown Park House, Strokestown, Co Roscommon is set to star in TV3 and Big Mountain Productions’ new programme “The Big House”.
Longford brothers shed some light on Dragons’ Den
Two Longford brothers who designed a fire deterrent recess light appeared on Dragons’ Den last Sunday night in an effort to get some collateral to market their new product.
Auditions for Backstage Theatre Group’s ‘Our Town’
Backstage Theatre Group continue to celebrate their 25th anniversary with the staging of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play ‘Our Town’ in October this year.
Declan Nerney and Brendan Grace team up for Cancer charity single
After they first met on a cruise ship in the Caribbean nearly 20 years ago, and after numerous promises and trips to the recording studio together, Declan Nerney and Brendan Grace have finally recorded a single together.
Backstage Theatre announces summer line-up
The Backstage Theatre has revealed details of its summer line-up and it looks set to be a busy season for the Longford venue.
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
