“The wheel always grinds slowly at the beginning…”

TEDDY Healy is one of a golden generation who sat around a table one night back in 1986 to form what three decades later would become Ireland’s number one musical society. The years move fast, as do the levels of preparation and professionalism now expected of Tralee Musical Society whenever they get together to put on a show. But for Teddy and his generation, musicals and entertainment shows in Tralee had a bright, new dawn all to themselves back in the day - free from the sort of intrusions we consider the norm today. Teddy was the society’s original vice chairman and he enjoyed many great years being part of something he loved and he even managed a week away in Fermoy with Ali Hackam!

“I remember back to the old musical society and that time you had no television so you made your own time up with fun and camaraderie. It was an era that went on for a long time with great shows. We were kind of mini-stars at the time in Tralee town, at least we thought we were. But I can remember when television came along the old society started to wane and for a time it lapsed until such time as a group of us got together 30 years ago to start Tralee Musical Society. It was a difficult thing to do, there’s finance, chorus, musical directors, producers, and a hall to try and find.

“Mick Brassil 30-years ago kept up the conversation of ‘why don’t we’ and we sat around a table one night and said we’d give it a go. It wasn’t easy compared to the interest there would have been in the older musical society, so it took time and there’s great credit due to all those who stuck with it.

“I remember years ago there was a special musical festival and groups came from all over. We were doing ‘Oklahoma’ at the time and I got a phone call from Fermoy to ask was I ‘playing the part of Ali Hackam?’ I said I was. They asked if there was any chance I could come down and play the part for them. So I stayed in Fermoy for a week playing the part of Ali Hackam! You can say whatever you like about musical societies, but they throw up any situation and you always encounter great friends and great situations.

“The fun after the shows was also great and we would head over to the Manhattan Hotel as it was known back then. The whole thing was a merry-go-round. I would have classified myself at the time as a general ‘ball hopper’ but you also needed to have a bit of neck to stand up on stage. The wheel always grinds slowly at the beginning and Tralee Musical Society has really grown today. The awards they’re getting are just fabulous.

“These days were the happiest in our lives and I’m very proud to have been a part of it. I remember recently heading to the library to research something and before long I spent most of my time looking back over the years of the society. That’s what it does. It was like being an All-Ireland player without getting a medal. You do it for the love of it.”