The launch of Roscommon Drama Festival 2019, which runs for nine nights from Friday, 1st of March to Saturday, 9th of March in Roscommon Arts Centre, took place in Áras an Chontae on Wednesday, 13th of February.
Chairperson of Roscommon Drama Festival Committee, Caroline Egan, welcomed everyone to the launch. She was delighted to welcome Bridie Mahon, wife of the late Vincent Mahon, his brother Gerry and his niece Fiona and thanked them sincerely for their generous sponsorship of the Vincent Mahon Memorial Trophy and Annual Scholarship to the DLI Summer School.
Ms. Egan assured the gathering that this year’s festival would match the high standard which we have come to expect and gave a brief overview of the plays and groups who will perform over the nine nights. She thanked the Chief Executive Eugene Cummins and his staff for making the fine facility available for the launch and for their welcome and hospitality. She expressed her appreciation and thanks to the sponsors of the festival, to Averyl Dooher and her staff at Roscommon Arts Centre, to the local media for the publicity they provide. She thanked Declan Molloy of Molloy’s Bakery & Fine Food Emporium for sponsoring and providing the finger food and Michelle Hughes Walsh for taking the photographs. She had a special word of welcome for the children who had participated in the story-writing competition, their parents and teachers and to Cormican’s School & Art Supplies for sponsoring vouchers for the overall winners. She expressed her gratitude to Cathaoirleach Cllr. Ivan Connaughton for taking time out of his busy schedule to launch the festival and invited him to address the gathering.
Cathaoirleach Cllr. Ivan Connaughton said that he was delighted to be invited to launch the Roscommon Drama Festival 2019 which he said was one of the highlights of the cultural calendar in the county. He said that promotion of the Arts was a priority for Roscommon Co. Council and the fine extension to the Arts Centre was evidence of that commitment. He was delighted that the fine facility of Arás an Chontae was being used for the launch and emphasised that it was ‘The People’s Building’ and should be available for public events. He thanked the staff for making themselves available for the launch and commended the work of the staff of the Arts Centre. Cllr. Connaughton had a special welcome for the children who were being presented with their awards. He also welcomed their parents. He formally launched Roscommon Drama Festival 2019 and then presented the children with their prizes.
