Entertaining Sligo
THE WAY WE WERE
The Hawk’s Well Theatre continues its Sligo history series, The Way We Were, with the next instalment scheduled for Wednesday the 14th of June at 7.30pm. A popular evening that features different guest speakers at each event, this evening will feature keynote speaker, author and retired librarian, John McTernan; local historian Simone Hickey and Sligo Harbour Master, John Carton, all of whom will share their tales of bygone days. There will also be an opportunity to talk about tracing your family history with County Sligo Heritage & Genealogy Society who will be in attendance from 6.30pm.
Retired Sligo County librarian John Mc Ternan has devoted much of his time over the past two decades to researching and writing on various aspects of the history of County Sligo. In 2002 the National University of Ireland conferred on him an honorary degree of M. A. in recognition of his contribution to the building of a comprehensive local history collection in Sligo County library and to honour the quantity and value of his many publications.
Local historian Simone Hickey will speak about the lives of the residents of Forthill circa 1917 and the impact of the Great War upon this area. Simone’s father’s knowledge and passion for Sligo history sparked her interest in this area and allowed her access to his extensive library of local publications ( which include O’Rorke, Kilgannon, Woodmartin and McTernan) which then fuelled her enthusiasm in local heritage and history even further. Her Masters thesis was based on Sligo Men who died in the Great War 1914 – 1918. Simone complied social profiles and possible motives for their enlistment. As conscription was never introduced into Ireland, all men who fought in the Great War did so voluntarily - so what motivated them to go? Sligo Port Harbour Master, John Carton will share some tales illustrating the vital role played by the port in the growth of the town. He will also discuss some of his predecessors, in particular Captain James Keeble; the reign of King Henry VI ( 1422 to 1471) who was King of England when Sligo became a harbour; the building of the metal man in Rosses Point in 1822 and the reclaiming of land in order to build the port.
County Sligo Heritage and Genealogy Centre will be represented by manager Adrian Regan. Providing a comprehensive genealogical service to people from all over the world wishing to trace their county Sligo roots, the centre is part of a national network of genealogical centres in Ireland and is a member of the Irish Family History Foundation.
Tickets for this event are € 10 ( plus a € 1 renovation fee) which includes tea/ coffee and are available from the Hawk’s Well Theatre Box Office on 071 916 1518 or www. hawkswell. com.
PHIL COULTER AT LISSADELL CHURCH
Lissadell Church, presents ‘ Phil Coulter’ in concert on Wednesday 14th June at 8pm, for an evening of music and song in the atmospheric surroundings of Lissadell Church.
Remaining tickets € 35 are on sale at Drumcliffe Teahouse, Grange Pharmacy, Veritas, Sligo or by calling Heather on 0871655880. All proceeds in aid of Lissadell Church.
REGINALD D HUNTER
Comedian Reginald D Hunter embarks on his Irish tour, which takes him to The Hawk’s Well Theatre this October. In the years that he has been living and performing in the UK, Reginald’s searingly honest material has garnered him a popular fan base that spans the generations. In the past twelve months he has appeared in a critically acclaimed tour of the UK as well as performing across Europe. His appearances on television have included 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown and the hugely popular three- part BBC2 series Reginald D Hunter’s Songs Of The South which documented Reginald’s epic road trip from North Carolina to New Orleans through 150 years of American popular song.
Reginald has been in the UK for just under two decades and in that time he has become one of the UK Comedy industry’s best- known performers for his distinctive take on subjects including race and sexuality. His work can be brutally honest and is often considered to be controversial but it is always meticulously thought out and he has never been afraid to face challenging issues head on, even when the focus is on his own principles or beliefs.
He visits Sligo on October 30th, tickets on sale from The Hawk’s Well Theatre.