Abbeyfeale’s Community Theatre, An Glorach, will host a public meeting this Thursday May 29th to encourage new individuals and groups from the area to play a direct role in shaping the future of this community facility.
Glorach Community Theatre opened in 2003 to provide a dedicated space to promote and preserve local performing arts, music and culture. Developed and currently managed by the voluntary board of management of Abbeyfeale Folk, it has always been the intention that Glorach would be widely used, for the benefit of the entire community.
“It is time for change if Glorach is to continue to grow and develop,” says group chairman Jim Dennison. “Many of our board of management are involved for well over 10 years and recognise the need to move aside and make room for new blood who can return vibrancy to the project and take it in new and exciting direc-tions.”
Since the facility opened it has hosted a range of activities including its adult and youth drama groups, the Kerry School of Music, Kostal Sports and Social Club, Limerick Youth Theatre, parish meetings, exercise classes, the parent and toddler group and the Redeemed Christian Church of God, among others. However, while the facility has always been available for use by the community, the board believes that there is an unfounded perception that it isn’t.
“Glorach is a community facility and always has been,” stresses Jim. “The money that we generate through our activities is reinvested back into the development of the theatre and to pay off our term loan which is outstanding since the construction phase. Up until recently this and other running costs were covered through two annual productions by our in-house drama group as well as through a variety of youth drama prod-uctions, concerts and rents generated by other groups using the facility. How-ever, in recent years our group has lost its vibrancy as our members’ personal and work commitments have prevented them from putting the necessary energy into making the theatre reach its potential. “We now reach out to the community for support in keeping this facility alive and to retain Glorach Theatre as a community asset for future gener-ations.”
All are invited to attend the community meeting tomorrow Thursday May 29th to discuss the future of the facility which is located adjacent to the Day Care Centre off Convent Street Abbeyfeale. Calling on the community to attend, Jim stated, “We want new members, new ideas and new users.”