Murphy’s Town Hall Athenry 83 14th & 15th April 1974 – Flight of the Doves, a 1971 movie, based on the 1968 novel by Walter Macken, starring Jack Wild, Ron Moody, Willie Rushton, Brendan O’Reilly, Tom Hickey and Dana (and partly filmed in Athenry) was screened in the Hall (source: a handwritten Hall note plus a Sight And Sound Distributors Ltd Invoice). 153 3rd May 1974 – Unfortunately we have no info available on activities in the Hall in May 1974 but, in other Athenry news of the time, page 5 of the Connacht Tribune of this date, reported as follows, under the heading Fish Cook: “Mrs. J. K. Murray, Silveracre, Prospect, Athenry, representing Athenry Guild, I.C.A., was second in the Fish Cookery competition sponsored by Bord Iascaigh Mhara.” 21st June 1974 – Unfortunately we have no info available on activities in the Hall in June 1974 but page 3 of the Connacht Tribune of this date, carries an interesting piece of Athenry trivia noted by Rev. Martin Coen, under the subheading DRAMATIST: “In a region so closely connected with writing and drama, it would be unjust if the work of a local author were not remembered. While the late Mr. Charles Foley, Solicitor, Gort may not have gained the fame of Lady Gregory or Edward Martyn, it should be recorded that he had the unique distinction of having a play produced on the boards of the Abbey Theatre. It was a one-act comedy The Great Adventure and was first played in the Abbey on September 19 1938. It was largely the drunken musings of two rather decrepit individuals in an Irish western town. After some more alcohol, they decide to leave their wives. It was played by Cyril Cusack, M. J. Dolan and Ann Clery and was followed by Lennox Robinson's Bird Nest. The Irish Independent critic said that C. I. Foley showed a good technique for a beginner: ‘The play is excellent fun but would have been a better comedy for a clipping of the too long draw out ending.’ They added prophetically that Cyril Cusack was bidding fair to follow Barry Fitzgerald. Mr. Foley was born in Athenry in 1913 and qualified as a solicitor in 1934.” 154 5th July 1974 – Unfortunately we have no info available on activities in the Hall in July 1974 but page 3 of the Connacht Tribune of this date, carries an interesting piece of Athenry trivia under the subheading ICA: “At the Co Galway Federation meeting held in Gort, last week Mrs Agnes Qualter from Athenry guild was awarded the Ryan Cup for impromptu speaking... On Tuesday of last week twelve members from Athenry Guild were received by the President, Mr Erskine Childers at Arus an Uachtaran.” See image below: 155 153 This movie, which was partially filmed in Athenry, was shown on Easter Sunday and again on Easter Monday 1974. It appears to have been one of the very last movies screened in the Hall during the Murphy Family Era. See story titled Athenry Turns Into "Hollywood" But For A Day!, on page 10 of the Connacht Tribune 4TH September 1970, for a report on the filming of the movie in the town. NB: Romeo & Juliet (1968) may have been the last screening. 154 National Library of Ireland hold a copy of the play, part of their Abbey Theatre Papers Collection, Call Number MS 21,300-21,509: www.nli.ie, info@nli.ie 155 Margie Murphy, of Athenry Town Hall, can be seen at President Childers’ right shoulder, wearing a white outfit.
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