1 July 1998

By TOM SHIEL

THESE midsummer days of sunshine and shower, 1998, are a poignant time for Paddy Henry. The undisputed "King" of Irish amateur drama is putting the final touches on a move to Galway with his wife, Geraldine. He doesn't know which pains him most- departure from Charlestown where he has spent the best years of his life or the parting from amateur drama which has been his heart and soul, his lifeblood almost, for more than half a century.

If he gets too emotional about the prospects of life without Charlestown or amateur drama, Paddy can quickly console himself that his new home overlooking Rusheen Bay on the Barna Road out of Galway is only a mile and a half by car from his old home which will remain in the possession of the family.

As for drama, Paddy, like politicians sometimes, "is ruling nothing either in or out". He explains: "I won't be involved with the Charlestown Theatre Group but I might get involved in drama again sometime. Who knows? I am making no commitments. I am ruling nothing either in or out".

It only really hit Paddy and Geraldine fully last week that they were uprooting themselves when friends in the Charlestown Theatre Group staged a surprise party in the Riverside Restaurant.

Innocently, the couple strolled in to what was an "ambush" rather than an ordinary end of season party as they had been led to believe.

Hands stretched out everywhere in greeting, familiar faces milled in near and far focus.

Local boy made Bishop, Joseph Cassidy was one of the first to speak, eloquently as usual. "Paddy has left a great legacy behind him...........he gave a great name to Charlestown with all the plays he brought around the country". Archbishop Cassidy recalled a visit to Henry's house when Paddy was only a sapling of 12. "As I was sitting there, Paddy reached up and took a book from a bookcase. It was a play, of course. This was the beginning of a long and illustrious connection with amateur drama".

MEMORY EVOKING

There were other speakers too, emotional, funny, memory evoking in turn.

Dan O'Connell, whose connection with Charlestown drama spans nearly thirty years, described Paddy as without doubt the best producer any group could ever wish to have. "I never saw him lose his temper or use a bad word", he stated.

Jack O'Donnell and Tommy Brennan reminisced on the old days the latter recalling a time when a live goat was brought on stage for a drama production..

"Tonight is a bittersweet night", said actress Joan King of Kiltimagh associating herself with all the previous tributes.

Paddy himself was taken completely by surprise but typically he wasn't lost for words. He recalled playing his first part as a ten year old at a concert in the old Lavey Hall. With the late Mickey Frain he performed a sketch of the late Jimmy O'Dea's .

From 1952 when the late and loved Fr. Paddy Higgins produced a 3 act play "THE WHITEHEADED BOY" until "ARISTOCRATS" some years ago, Paddy Henry was involved in an astonishing 75 productions.

There were two theatre groups in Charlestown until Fr. Higgins arrived and made his mark , St. James' Dramatic Society and Charlestown Little Theatre Group. Both flourished until the 1940's when emigration took a heavy toll on the area.

Fr. Paddy is credited with forming the present Charlestown Theatre Group in 1951 and produced a stream of three act and one plays until 1956 when Fr. Tom Vesey took over. Paddy Henry tried his hand first at producing in 1960. Between 1982 and 1985 he produced an unbroken string of drama winners including "THE WINSLOW BOY", "THE RIABHOG DAYS", "EMIGRANTS", "THE MONKEY'S PAW", "CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF" AND "THE COUNTRY BOY".

GREAT INSPIRATION

Charlestown native John Murphy, who wrote "THE COUNTRY BOY", died recently. He has a special place in Paddy Henry's heart . "We owe a lot to the late John Murphy. He was a great inspiration to us all".

Paddy Henry concluded his impromptu speech with an appeal to actors and actresses to get involved in drama. "Although hard work it is very rewarding", he explained.

The famous P.J. Henry Mineral Waters with which the Henry family and Charlestown have been synonymous for decades is now in new ownership. The company also has a new depot in Ballyhaunis.

Paddy will continued to be involved with the soft drinks company. As for amateur drama, the great passion of his life, few believe that he has been lost to the boards forever.

As he sits in retirement overlooking Galway Bay, there'll be a nice painting on his wall to remind him of the old days. Paddy played Uncle George in "ARISTOCRATS" last year and Kiltimagh artist Reg Smith captured him perfectly on canvas.

The painting was presented to him by grateful drama colleagues at last week's party.It shows Paddy dapper with a moustache, hat and white suit and a walking cane between his fingers. Not that much different from Paddy Henry in real life really.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - July 1998