Murphy’s Town Hall Athenry 7 2nd July 1910 – Connacht Tribune of this date carried the following on page 4, under the heading In Athenry and the subheading Theatricals: “We are to have the Kitty Breen Theatrical Co in Athenry next week, and as the company is a popular one, there will be big houses.” 4th December 1910 – Connacht Tribune, 10th December 1910, page 10, reported a meeting in the Town Hall of the United Irish League under the heading Solid As Of Old: “On Sunday a public meeting was held in the Town Hall, Athenry, for the purpose of re-establishing a branch of the United Irish League and placing the National cause on a solid basis. Mr. Martin Finnerty, who was unanimously called to the chair, briefly explained the object of the meeting to a large and enthusiastic attendance. He said it would be an extraordinary thing if, while other places were working for the cause of their county at this momentous crisis,, Athenry, which, in matters patriotic, had been a leading light, and had been regarded as such, should lag behind (applause)... They had come there not to make speeches but to transact business, and they would now proceed to the matter-of-fact portion of the proceedings (applause). An executive and a committee were then appointed... All present then handed in their affiliation fees, and the new branch was pushed off the National river on its trip to the sea of Home Rule.” 11th December 1910 – Connacht Tribune, 17th December 1910, page 5, carried the following under the heading AOH BALL (Ancient Order of Hibernians): “On the Sunday night of last week the annual social ball of the Athenry branch A0H was held in the Town Hall under very successful conditions...” 11 16th to 18th January 1911 – Connacht Tribune 14th January 1911 recorded that George Mallin’s Famous Pantomime Company played 3 nights in the Hall, commencing from Monday 16th January. 12 The Galway Express of January 14th 1911 date contains an advertisement for same: MR. GEORGE MALLIN’S FAMOUS Pantomime Company NEW TOWN HALL, ATHENRY for three nights only Commence MONDAY, JANUARY 16th Seats booked at Murphy’s Hotel 13 26th February 1911 – Connacht Tribune, 4th March 1911, page 4, carried the following under the heading Galway Musicians at Athenry: “Miss Mai Coulter’s popular band attended a highly successful dance held at the Town Hall, Athenry, on Sunday evening. Subsequently, the members of this popular musical combination were accorded the congratulations of committee and guests on the exceptional merit of the dance music rendered during the night.” 11th & 15th June 1911 – Connacht Tribune 17th June 1911, page 8, reported on a meeting of the County Galway Postmen’s Federation: “POSTMEN’S FEDERATION MEETING AT ATHENRY The annual meeting of the County Galway Postmen’s Federation was held that the Town Hall, Athenry on Sunday 11th inst. There was an exceptionally good attendance...” Page 8 of that Connacht Tribune also reported on Athenry Feis opening in the Hall: “ATHENRY FEIS Athenry, Thursday The Athenry Feis opened in the Town Hall to-day at two o’clock, was successful from every point of view...” 11 See Connacht Tribune 24th December 1910, page 4, for a more detailed report on this. 12 Performing Blue Beard, Ali-Baba and Jack The Giant Killer 13 Dick Murphy’s Stepmother, Mary Jane McDermott Kelly Murphy, owned and ran Murphy’s Hotel on Cross Street (across the road from The Barracks Restaurant). Her son, T McDermott Kelly MRCVS, from Raheen House, was Dick’s stepbrother.
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