Ardcroney Players make a welcome return to the stage
75th anniversary of popular dramatic group
The Ardcroney Players, or Ardcroney Dramatic Class as they were known back then, took to the stage 75 years ago when the opening of the new school in the village left the community with a vacant performance space in what had been the local primary school for generations. Apart from its use as the local theatre the building, now known as Ardcroney Community Centre, has become the focal point for many community activities.
It is there that, on Friday, February 20, the local Ardcroney Players will raise the curtain on their 2026 production. The Players felt that it would be appropriate to mark their 75th anniversary with a re-run of what was the groups most successful production when it played to packed houses for a whopping 12 nights when first performed back in 2009. Second Confession was local playwright Paddy Heffernan’s first work and since its premier in Ardcroney has gone on to be staged very successfully at various locations in Tipperary, Cork, Offaly and Limerick and is also due to hit the boards next month in Castleconnor, Co Sligo.
Paddy feels honoured that his play is being performed by the Ardcroney Players in such a milestone year for the group. He himself has been an active member for many years and 2026 also marks his twentieth year as director of their annual productions. The success of Second Confession holds many bittersweet memories as his beloved wife Kathleen, passed away whilst the play was being written back in 2008. There is also great sadness in the group around the fact that three members of the original cast have gone to their eternal reward since they played in the original production. Noel Mulcahy and Denis Heenan were two of the founding members of the original Ardcroney Dramatic Class and it is an open secret that Paddy actually built his play around these two iconic gentlemen who were the backbone of the group for nearly 70 years. They have also lost Oliver Moroney in the intervening years. Ollie was a valued member of the group who, apart from his prowess on stage, was the main man in the design and construction of the stage sets for many years.
Changing of the Guard
It is very much a changing of the guard, cast wise, for this re-run of Second Confession as only two members of the cast of 2009 are featured this time around with just one reprising their original role. Janice McLean returns as the nosey neighbour, Nora Tierney. The other survivor is long serving stalwart Noel Coonan who swaps his original role as the local GP to play the part of parish priest Fr Foley who tries his best to cope with the noteless Nora as lead vocalist in the church choir.
Second Confession centres around the McCarthy family headed by the patriarch John, played by Gerry O’Rourke a settled Traveller who, for more than 30 years, was a highly regarded staff member at the local golf club where he excelled as a groundsman who prided himself in how well the grounds were presented. Gerry also plays the part of John’s mysterious twin brother Christy. John has lived with his daughter Honey (Geraldine White) since his wife died. The unfortunate Honey has had a luckless experience in marriage but, who knows, maybe her luck will turn in the future. The McCarthy family is completed by her sister Julia (Stella Heffernan) who resides in London which is probably a good thing as the two girls wouldn’t be best buddies by any stretch of the imagination. Honey’s former work colleague Eileen O’Rourke (Georgina Kennedy) is the lodger who moved in while she was looking for a place of her own but never moved out. Her current love interest in Myles O’Sullivan who works in the post office in town. Myles is played by Kevin Heffernan, (nephew of the writer/director) and now that he is permanent is determined to make Eileen his own.
Joseph Mulcahy plays the local GP, Philip Jordan, who is a regular caller to the McCarthy house for reasons that will become clearer as the plot unfolds. Michael Cleary plays the part of Boxer Kennedy a local undertaker of very amorous disposition and isn’t about to call it a day anytime soon. In keeping with the Ardcroney tradition of trying to find a part for as many as possible Paddy has done a bit of a re-write to accommodate two further cast members.
The part of Garda Fitzgibbon has been converted to female and is played by Pat Carey who formerly starred in such roles as Big Maggie and Moll. Rounding out the cast is Denis Darcy who plays Mr Toomey, the soon to retire pernickety postmaster at Green St Post Office.
Show times and ticket details
Rehearsals are well advanced and the cast will be raring to go to bring you a rip-roaring experience of fun and frolics for six nights with curtain up at 8pm on Friday, February 20. The show continues on Saturday (February 21), Sunday (February 22), Wednesday (February 25), Friday (February 27) and Saturday February 28). Due to the limited space available booking is essential and can be secured by contacting Margaret on 086 0525045 nightly between 6-8pm. As well as a great night’s entertainment patrons will be treated to the traditional Ardcroney hospitality which includes the usual tea and goodies for everyone in the audience each night after the show. The players look forward to welcoming back their loyal supporters to enjoy thenew show.