Grand Irish National Concert

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 65, 18 March 1936, Page 6

Grand Irish National Concert

DELIGHTS RECORD CROWD.

St. Patrick’s day was fittingly commemorated in the city when a grand Irish national concert of outstanding merit was presented in the Empiro hall which was crowded to the doors last evening. The function had been organised by St. Patrick’s Parish School committee to raiso funds for school amenities, and the enthusiastic .applauso that greeted each item testified to the enjoyment of tho audience. For two hours talented vocalists and dancers entertained with favourite Irish aiis and national dances, every performer having to respond to emphatic recalls. Tho stage was artistically draped in black, effectively embellished with shamrocks and other emblems appropriate to tho occasion, conspicuous in tho background being ‘‘Erin’’ in silver letters and a giant harp. At the conclusion of the programme Monsignor MacManus expressed sincere thanks to the artists who had contributed such a delightful concert, every item of which had been much enjoyed. Ho also expressed appreciation that the school committee kept up the Irisa traditions with a national concert, and voiced the hope that these magnificent traditions would survive, keping alive memories of a land that had suffered so deeply but which had such glorious records. In conclusion, Monsignor MacManus thanked all who had assisted to mako the evening such a splendid success, also the audience for assembling in such largo numbers.

Members of the committee combining admirably iu the excellent arrangements made, comprised Mr F. W. Aisher, chairman of St. Patrick’s parish school committee, who was also stage manager, Messrs \V. D. Creed and J. Carmine, joint secretaries, Mesdames Jervis, Lyons, Summers, Greening, Christiansen, Creed, and Power, Messrs O’Connor, Greening, Tottman, McErlaine, Redwood and Ronowicz. Tho floor was later cleared for dancing, which was enjoyed until a late hour, and for which lively music was contributed by Loveday’s orchestra, Mr H. Hughes carrying out the duties of M.C.

Following was the programme:— Chorus, “The Dear Homeland/’ boys’ choir; song, “The Last Rose of Summer,’’ Miss Freda Doherty; song, ‘‘Father O’Flynn,” Mr W. H. H. Gregg; song, “Kathleen Mavourneen,” Miss Molly Diederich; song, “Where the Little Shamrock Grows,” Mr N. Shortall; dance, Irish jig, Lucy Cronin and Claude Henderson; song, selected, Mr Whitelock; song, “She is Far From the Land,” Miss Monica Lynch; chorus, “Ireland, Mother Ireland,” girls’ choir; song, ‘‘Oil to Philadelphia,” Mr W. Gregg; song, “Believe Mo if all those Endearing Young Charms,” Miss Freda Doherty; song, “The Meeting of the Waters,” Mr N. Shortall; song, “Mother Machree,”' Mr Whitelock; duet, “Danny Boy,” Misses Lynch and Diederich.

Mr A. W. Balmer, of Raumai, whose name appeared on the programme, was unfortunately unable to attend owing to illness, and a substituted item was a sailor's hornpipo by Shirley Henderson, a clever little pupil of Miss June Scott’s. By special request, Miss June Scott contributed an “Irish jig” and as an encore a tap dance. The accompaniments throughout the evening were artistically played by Miss Zita Leamy.