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Rossmore is located between Clonakilty and Dunmanway in west Cork. Like many other small villages, notable structures include a church and a school, but Rossmore has something that sets it head and shoulders above the rest: a theatre.
Some local people would fondly call the building in question Rossmore Hall, a name which definitely does not do it justice. St Mary’s Theatre seats just under 300 people. With both tiered and flat seating and a spacious stage, Rossmore could compete with any theatre of a similar capacity in the country.
This is not surprising, as it is run by the West Cork Drama Festival, part of the festival circuit that allows amateur groups to qualify for the All-Ireland Drama Festival finals. Kilmeen Drama Group is its sister organisation, one of the most successful amateur acting troupes in the country.
One of the first things you notice walking in the door of the St Mary’s Theatre is the plaque displaying all the years Kilmeen won the All-Ireland Drama Festival. Believe me, the list is long: the group has won it nine times.
Historical roots
The venue was originally built in 1948, having since been extended and refurbished extensively.
Chair of Kilmeen Drama Group, Michael O’Mahony, explains that the building firstly hosted plays during Lent, as dancing could not be held and the whole drama side of things grew from there, thus encapsulating real community spirit.
“Everything that is done here is done on a voluntary basis, there is nobody paid,” says Michael. “Between the drama group and the drama festival, we would probably have 70 members. But there would be a lot more than that involved because people come in during the drama festival doing catering and all that, so you would probably have about 200 people involved throughout the year.
“All the schools locally would come here and put on Christmas concerts or different types of shows. We have art exhibitions, the GAA uses it for Scór, Macra na Feirme uses it for drama competition,” says Michael. “Professional groups come then as well.”
St Mary’s Theatre is undoubtedly a hive of activity, with strong community links and a spirit of volunteerism. This has paid-off for Kilmeen Drama Group on the festival circuit.
“We are the only group to win the All-Ireland three years in a row, from 2011 to 2013. The primary function of the drama group is the festival circuit and to qualify for the All-Irelands, which are always in Athlone. We also do the one-act play festival circuit, the summer theatre from July to September and sometimes we might do a Christmas production as well.”
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