NEW: Thurles Musical Society elect new President and Chairperson following recent AGM

Thurles Musical Society, heading into its 75th year in existence in 2026, has elected a new President and Chairperson following the Annual general Meeting in the Premier Hall, Thurles recently.

Former, Secretary, Chairperson and orchestra member Mary Butler was unanimously elected Honorary President – an entirely fitting recognition of sterling service to TMS and also a very appropriate appointment as the 75th anniversary looms, considering that her late father, Martin T Butler, was a founding member of the Society.

Mary, who is also a former President of the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) has directed a number of shows for Thurles Musical Society also and has been ever present on committee for many years – a position she will continue in following her election as President. Mary takes over from the late Antóin Ó Briain who passed away last year a short while after being re-elected President.

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The Vice President of the Society was re-elected this year also with Mary Guilfoyle accepting the role having been unanimously proposed and seconded.

After six years as Chairperson, Éidín Sweeney made the decision to stand down, but she will remain heavily involved in Thurles Musical Society in a number of capacities.

Éidín had a difficult early tenure as the decision to postpone Made in Dagenham a few weeks before opening night was a major one to make. But, having due concern for members and audiences alike, the decision proved to be the correct one as Covid 19 gripped the country and resulted in all gatherings being outlawed for some time.

Made in Dagenham eventually made it to the stage thanks to Éidín’s leadership and guidance and she presided over Big Fish, The Heat is On, and Hot Mikado also during her term.

Into Éidín’s position comes long serving PRO and Vice Chairman, Noel Dundon who was also unanimously elected at AGM. Noel has been involved in TMS, on and off the stage, since 1997, working as Programme Editor, PRO and committee member during that time, while also assuming a number of roles on stage and in the chorus.

A former AIMS Adjudicator, Noel told those in attendance at the AGM that 2026 will be a major year for the Society with two shows in the pipeline, a Cabaret and a Gala Black Tie Ball. He added that the arms of welcome remain wide open to all to come and join Thurles Musical Society and he looked forward to friendships continuing to be forged and renewed in the coming years.

Two new members of committee were also elected this year – Laura Quinlan and Mark Condren with Mary Callanan, Mary Egan, Margaret Dwyer, Louis Clifton-Browne and Mary Long from the outgoing committee, returned. The officers elected were:

President: Mary Butler

Vice President: Mary Guilfoyle

Chairperson: Noel Dundon

Secretary: Laura Ryan

Treasurer: John Hayes.

Thurles Musical Society has also announced details of plans to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Society, including the staging of two major shows in 2026 in the Premier Hall, Thurles.

The announcement was made at the very well attended Annual General Meeting in the Premier Hall this week by Chairperson, Éidin Sweeney, and will see the Society staging the hit show Hunchback of Notre Dame in March 2026, and the highly acclaimed Come from Away in September 2026 to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11 - this really clever piece of musical theatre is based on the events in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11 attacks, when 38 planes, carrying approximately 7,000 passengers, were ordered to land unexpectedly at Gander International Airport. The characters in the musical are based on actual Gander residents and stranded travellers they housed and fed.

There was great excitement amongst members at the news of the two shows which will pose great challenges to Thurles Musical Society, but challenges which they are very determined to meet head on. The Society will also stage a Cabaret in October next in the Premier Hall and plans are fully in train for a black-tie gala ball in January to mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Society.

Hunchback of Notre Dame is a musical with music by acclaimed Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. It is adapted from Walt Disney Amination Studios' 1996 movie which in turn was based on the 1831 novel by Victor Hugo. The musical premiered in 1999 in Berlin as Der Glöckner von Notre Dame, with a book by James Lapine. It was produced by Disney Theatre Productions, being the company's first musical to premiere outside the United States. It ran for three years, becoming one of Berlin's longest-running musicals. The Thurles show will be Directed by Michael Greene, who will be working with TMS for the first time.

Both shows will be debuting in Thurles and are certain to attract great interest, not just from local audiences, but also from musical theatre enthusiasts from far and wide.

With the exception of the Covid years, Thurles Musical Society has produced at least one major show each year since its foundation - a major achievement in itself - and the Society members are determined to keep up that magnificent tradition for many more years to come.

Rehearsals for the Cabaret will begin on the first week of September, while rehearsals for Hunchback of Notre Dame will begin in November with auditions also taking place in November.

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