Death of former Festival President Brid McBride
TRIBUTES have flowed in from around the world for Brid McBride, Kilcurry, who died at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda on Monday December 10th.
Brid was a leading figure in the amateur drama scene in Ireland and internationally.
She was involved with the Castle Players and later the Dolmen Theatre Group, but it’s for her work with the Dundalk Amateur Drama International, which formed the heart of the Maytime Festival, that she is best remembered. She was also a well known adjudicator, and travelled abroad to adjudicate at drama festivals including the United States and Germany where she made lifelong friends.
Brid served as President of Dundalk Maytime Festival and was also Vice-President. She was presented with a Bord Failte Welcome Award in 2006 for her work in welcoming visitors to Dundalk and Co Louth.
She had also contributed to a number of radio shows, including Mike Murphy’s on RTE, as an arts critic.
Imelda McDonagh said: ‘As Secretary of the Association of Drama Adjudicators, Ireland, I would like to express our sincere sympathy on the passing of a great lady of theatre who will be fondly remembered both as a warm and kind person but also a visionary figure on the Irish drama scene.’
Offering her condolences to Brid’s husband Peadar and family, Rosemary Caine said @I have the most wonderful memories of Bríd and the Dundalk Theatre Festival In 2004. It was a pleasure to work with her and be welcomed by her to my home county - in tow with Wilde Irish Women. She was so devoted to the Arts and had rare insight into their effect on the spirit and soul. Brid was rare as she was uniquely gifted. A born leader and organizer. I feel privileged to have known her. I have the most enduring memories of our time together.’
‘Brid and I met as she adjudicated various shows in which I was involved at Roadside Theater in Heidelberg, Germany,’ said Sylvia L. Rausch. ‘We shared a great love of the theater, but also a appreciation of stories and how they can change mankind. I will greatly miss her smile, her spunk, and her crazy earrings!’
Brid is survived by her husband Peader and son Ruaidhrí and daughter Brianán , daughter-in-law Liza, sonin-law Sean (Callan), grandchildren Ciara and Aran, the extended McBride and Kelly families, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends. She was predeceased by her son Cormac.
There was a large attendance at her funeral which took place on Thursday morning following Mass in St Brigid’s Church, Kilcurry.