Galway Bay FM News Archives
Billy Roche’s ‘Lay Me Down Softly’ at Town Hall Theatre
Date Published: 09-Jun-2011
The latest play by one of Ireland’s greatest contemporary playwrights, Billy Roche will be at the city’s Town Hall Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday next, June14-18.
Set in rural Ireland in 1962, Lay Me Down Softly takes the audience into the burlesque world of Delaney’s Travelling Roadshow and its Boxing Booth. The play is based in a world Roche knows well as his grandfather, Jem Roche, was the first Irish boxer to fight a World Heavyweight title bout back in 1908.
Roche invites his audience to step inside the carnival and to experience, close up, the comings and goings of this wayward troupe as this powerful myth unfolds. The staging around the boxing ring allows the audience to become part of this dark and dangerous and colourful story, a mythic tale of love and loss and pain.
Like all Roche plays Lay Me Down Softly captures the bizarre characters of small town Irish life.
The colourful characters include Theo, the charismatic, violent ringmaster and his Carmen-like lover, Lily. Peadar is Theo’s old tried and not-so-trusted sidekick, and Dean is a vain and bragging prize fighter. There is also gentle, handsome, limping Junior and Emer, a wounded waif of a girl who has come in search of her long lost, runaway father.
The action centres on prize fighter Dean who takes on all comers on a nightly basis – until a challenge from a professional fighter upsets the apple-cart.
Lay Me Down Softly was first seen in the Abbey Peacock Theatre in 2008. This brand new production of the stage play had a sell out successful run at the Wexford Art Centre and at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin earlier this year.
The play is also directed by Billy Roche and sees the playwright reunited with Wexford actor Gary Lydon, who has performed in Roche’s major stage productions; The Wexford Trilogy and The Cavalcaders.
The cast also includes Pagan McGrath, Simone Kirby, Lesley McGuire, Anthony Morris, Dermot Murphy and Michael O’Hagan.
Booking is now open at the Theatre on 091-569777 or on the web at www.tht.ie
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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