Rathkenny Revels celebrate with 60th anniversary show

The Rathkenny Revels musical society celebrated their 60th anniversary show over the course of the month.

The popularity for the show resulted in packed houses for all shows over the two weekends in Rathkenny.

Rathkenny Revels was established in 1964 when Fr Michael Murchan came to Rathkenny with a vision for the parish.

It began when a performing drama group was putting on regular plays in the area which was a popular form of entertainment for people during long winter evenings.

Fr Murchan had come from Longwood to Rathkenny and his suggestion about forming a musical society with light entertainment was well supported.

He sourced musicians such as the late Jim Byrne from Navan who in turn recruited many great singers and musicians which helped start out the Rathkenny Revels.

The formerly known name Stackallen Rathkenny Musical Society was formed but its trading name, composed by Fr Murchan, became Rathkenny Revels.

Its first performances were held in Rathkenny Hall in March 1965 where lighting and sound was comprised of simple lightbulbs and a few microphones which Fr Murchan rigged up himself.

This years show included many talented singers, and comedy artists with a rousing opening chorus, several comedy quickies and sketches, the Farrelly School of Irish Dance, Dad Jokes with the Junior Chorus, and Disney, “Barbie-What I Was Made For” with soloists Alice Matthews, Mackenzie Rundle, Kasey Clarke, and Niamh Crinion.

The second half began with the lively “School of Rock”; Aoife Traynor sang “Caledonia”, the Trad Group,and The Bond Singers: Zoey Groome, Aoife Traynor, Sarah Crilly, Ann Marie Crilly, Ruby Califf, and Mollie O’Reilly delivered top class performances likened to a West End stage; Katie Califf sang a lovely solo with highlights of past times in Revels shown; Charlie Cullen delivered powerful solos in the choruses and great comedy.

Shay Carry, now 30 years with the Revels, delivered his great performance in all the comedy pieces along with Michael Conlon, Sandra Finnegan, Oliver Reilly, Jennifer Downey, Zoey Groome, Liz McLarney, Emer Morgan, Aoife Traynor and Keelin Clarke. A special congratulations was dedicated to a long serving committee member, John Joe Price, who has been working with the show since 1964.