Fitting tribute to the three legends of local pantomime
MEMORIAL PLAQUE TO BE UNVEILED AT THE BARBICAN CENTRE SHORTLY
THREE of Drogheda’s greatest ever comedians, Joe ‘ Tec’ Caffrey, Joe Cluskey and Jimmy Fagan, are to be honoured with a plaque in their memory at the Barbican Centre.
The brainchild of Cllr Frank Godfrey, he says the 3D image of the three men will be a fitting tribute to their memory and what they did to entertain the people of the town for generations.
The project has taken off in terms of funding and with support from the likes of the Board of Directors of the Barbican, the project will become a reality in the next few months.
‘I suppose it is appropriate timing,’ manager of the Barbican Declan Power stated. The Drogheda Panto will return to the venue after a decade for a series of shows from January 13-21. This year’s show is Little Red Riding Hood and renowned queen of the panto, Fiona O’Connell will be heading it up.
‘It will be wonderful to honour these men who helped raise so much money for worthy causes in the town down the years,’ Declan added.
The addition of the plaque will add to the ‘ local’ story surrounding many of the rooms in the facility.
The main auditorium is called the Stokes Theatre after Archbishop Stokes while there is also the Donnelly, Lennon and Laverty rooms along with the PLunkett and Whitaker areas. An office has also been named the Mother Mary Martin room.
‘ The three comedians entertained generations of Droghedeans for decades with their slapstick comedy,’ Cllr Godfrey added.
‘ These men were loved by audiences of all ages. Their memory is worthy of note, and this piece of art will immortalise them on the walls of the former parochial centre where they raised so many laughs down the years.’
He says he’s delighted with the level of support the project has received in such a short period of time. ‘We only began the work on this towards the end of last year but I think it shows how much people thought of these men that this is happening so quickly.
‘ The launch will be a big day for all concerned,’ he remarked.