Calls for another Wexford venue continue as the show goes on - 'When the Dun Mhuire was knocked, it took away so much'

A Wexford Youth Variety Group staged a successful show at Clonard Community Centre with 91 cast members ranging from age four to 70. The production celebrated 40 years of involvement for Patricia and Jimmy Kelly, using the theme “Rewind and Replay - 40 Years On” to revisit past highlights. The group included multiple generations, with grandmothers and grandchildren dancing together and six grandchildren participating. A new choreographer, Edel Quinlan, brought experience and energy. Performances featured dancing, group singing, solo singers, and guest acts, continuing a tradition of varied musical and cultural elements. After bills are paid, remaining funds are donated to charity, including Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts, for the past two years.

"The show went amazing. Actually, it couldn't have got any better. We're really delighted with it. This year's show was very special because myself and my husband were celebrating 40 years of variety. We called the show 'Rewind and Replay - 40 Years On' because we wanted to recapture some of the really good highlights and great moments that we had over the years."

"We had a cast of 91 members this year, from four years old right up to Jimmy, who'll be 70 next year. It's a really broad and diverse group. She says that the group now have grandmothers with their grandchildren dancing on stage together. Six of her own grandchildren were in it this year."

"Over the years we've had musicians, Irish dancers, people playing trumpets and fiddles and all sorts of things. This year we had dancing, group singing and solo singers. We had some fantastic guests as well. This year they invited in a new choreographer, Edel Quinlan, wo brought remarkable experience and energy to the production."

"When all of their bills are paid, they give the rest of the money the show generates to charity. For the past two years, the recipients have been Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts. We don't have official sponsors, so everything we do depends on fundraising and com"

Read at Irish Independent