Murphy’s Town Hall Athenry 14 12th January 1927 – a Black & White 1925 Silent Motion Picture ‘comedy short’ (2 film reels long) 27 titled Won By Law, starring Wanda Wiley, Bob Reeves, Lillian Worth and Frank Whitson was screened in the Hall (source: A surviving invoice from the European Motion Picture Co. Ltd, dated 15th January 1927). 28 NB: This is the earliest confirmed screening of a motion picture in the Hall. The following synopsis of the movie is from the Lost Laugh magazine Issue #13, page 18: “Wanda is a bored rich girl, so lazy that she sits down to play tennis. She is roused from her apathy when she is sent to the backwoods, and learns to love the outdoor life.” 6th February 1927 – Connacht Tribune 5th February 1927, page 4, carried an advertisement for a Whist Drive and Dance in the Hall on this date, in aid of the NSPCC (National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children) with music by the Rhythm Follies Band, Galway. 20th February 1927 – Connacht Tribune 19th February 1927, page 16, noted that the Athenry Farmers Dance was to be held in the Hall on this date, with music by Mr Charlie Dunne’s Band and catering by the Misses Hanberry. 13th November 1927 – Connacht Tribune 12th November 1927, page 11, carried an advertisement for a Grand Concert in aid of the Connemara Disaster Fund, under the patronage of the Very Rev. M. Canon Farragher, PP. 27th November 1927 – Connacht Tribune 3rd December 1927, page 18, reported on a meeting of the Galway Regional Savings Committee held on the previous Sunday under the heading ATHENRY MEETING: At Athenry Town Hall on Sunday, a public meeting under the auspices of the Galway Regional Savings Committee to promote the Free State Savings Movement was held.” 27th November 1927 – Connacht Tribune 3rd December 1927, page 18, reported on a Public Meeting in the Hall to promote the Purchase of Savings Certificates: “At Athenry Town Hall on Sunday a public meeting under the auspices of the Galway Regional Savings' Committee to promote the Free State 'Savings' Movement was held... The following were elected on the local committee, with power to add to their numbers if necessary: Mr. W. V. Higgins, President; Mr. ' M. J. Walsh, B.A., ]ST .T., Secretary; Mr. J. M. Sweeney, Mr. Thomas Monaghan; Mr. O'Regan, N.T.; Mr Maher, Postmaster; Mr. L. Lardner, Mr. Jas. Ruane, Mr. C. Broderick, L.P.S.I.; Mr. Durcan. Mr. John., Brady, Mr. Richard Murphy, Mr. T. J. O'Regan, Mr. P. N. Houlihan, Mr. S. Brodrick, TJ).: Mr. S. Jordan, T.D.; Mr. Allen, X.T., Craughwell; Mr. Frank Healy, Mr. Coen, Sergeant Masterson, Mr. Cagney, and Mr. Tighe. It was decided to hold the first meeting on Wednesday night.” 20th December 1927 – Miss Dorothy Grafton Concert in the Hall on this date, (source: Hall notebook). 19th February 1928 – Connacht Tribune 11th February 1928, page 11, carried an advert for the Athenry Rugby Club Annual Dance in the Town Hall (see also Connacht Tribune 18th February 1928, page 5): ATHENRY RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB ANNUAL DANCE AT Town Hall, Athenry, On SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19th, 1928 Dancing: 10.30. Catering by Hanberry’s, Athenry MUSIC: MISS CORRIGAN’S BAND OF SIX INSTRUMENTS Tickets: Gentlemen 12/6; Ladies 10/-; Double £1 28th April 1928 – Oranmore Drama Group performed a play in the Hall (source: Hall notebook). The play title is unknown unfortunately. 27 Each film reel held about 1,000 feet of film and lasted about 10 minutes of screen time. A 2 reel film short was therefore about 20 minutes long 28 A scan of which we include for reference as one of the images at the end of the main text
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