SIAMSA Tire members, past and present, enjoyed a fantastic evening of entertainment on Sunday to mark the organisation’s first 4o years in existence.
It was particularly special for Fr Pat Ahern, the Moyvane priest, who started it all off back in 1974 and has seen it grow to become an Irish institution.
“We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary this year and this is the first of a series of events to mark that milestone,” said Catriona Fallon, General Manager of Siamsa Tire.
There was a reception in the main hallway of the building before Fr Pat unveiled a plaque outside the front entrance, marking the anniversary.
There was also an opportunity to view the Radharc television programme, Bímis ag Rince, which documented the building of Teach Siamsa in Finuge and the founding of the National Folk Theatre.
Speaking about the 40th celebrations, Artistic Director of Siamsa Tíre, Jonathan Kelliher, said: “There will be much to celebrate in 2014, four decades since Fr Pat Ahern and the late Martin Whelan were appointed as the first Artistic Director and General Manager respectively. Finuge was where the training of young people in the unique Siamsa style began and this training in music, dance, song and movement continues to lead to the creation of enchanting narratives to the present day.”
An exhibition of images, archive video footage and memories from the past 40 years will be displayed in the gallery space from the end of May while a number workshops and lectures will also feature in this year’s Festival of Folk.
