Ald. Guinane and the Theatre

Ald. Kay Guinane writes, “In your article ‘On the Line’ (Champion 7th May) you described some of my remarks regarding a £25,000 grant of rate payers money to Sligo Drama Circle as being ‘plain silly’. It would be far too easy for me, as a person who has been associated with drama in Sligo for over thirty years, to come out in full favour of any plan for the erection of a theatre in Sligo. But, as a member of the Corporation, I try to represent the views of as many people as possible. Is it so surprising that a member of the Corporation should question the worthiness of a group requesting £25,000 of rate payers’ money? Would it not strike you as being ‘plain silly’ if this amount was handed over with nothing more said than words of praise?

Of course the Drama Circle has contributed greatly to the Irish Theatre movement (am I not a member myself!) and it both needs and deserves a properly equipped theatre. My criticism was not based alone on the fact that the Drama Circle has not supported local feiseanna and parades; it was far more constructive than that. I happen to see a very great need in this city for a sports complex such as was proposed to Sligo Corporation by the Junior Chamber of Commerce prior to the Drama Circle’s project. In this I was extremely interested and on enquiry was informed that it would be possible to include a theatre in the general design. Such a project would have my full support and I feel sure that it would be welcomed by parents, teachers and above all by our young people, some of whom roam the streets bored to distraction and delinquency for the want of something to interest them.

Yet. Mr. Editor, you describe this suggestion of mine as ‘astonishing’ in view of the fact that the Drama Circle has already been donated a site by the Bishop. I can’t help wondering what happened to the idea of homes for senior citizens which was at one time mooted for this site……. Sligo needs a sports complex. The Drama Circle needs a theatre. Taken separately, both of these projects would mean enormous financial involvement of the people of Sligo. This must surely mean that if one of these projects were to go ahead, it must be at the expense of the other, despite the fact that both would have a hope of survival if combined. Can anyone give me one good reason why one particular project should be sacrificed in favour of another, when both worthy projects could be combined quite favourably to the benefit of all concerned? I think that some of the answers could add up to ‘plain sense’.

from The Sligo Champion, On the Line, by Seamus Finn, May 14th, 1976