Dear Sir
The Adelphi ballroom on the Long Walk opened its doors on St.
Stephen’s Night, 1962. This virtually put an end to dancing in Town
Hall.
The Town Hall went on fire in 1947. It did not re-open until
1953. Some of the larger theatrical companies in town such as the
Dundalk Musical Society did not return there for twenty years. They
opted to stay in the much smaller Dominican Hall.
Although there were some notable exceptions such as the De La
Salle talent contests and the Italian concerts, one of which
featured Pavarotti, there was very little theatrical activity in the
Town Hall from the mid 1950s to the late 1960s.
The Arts Centre in Mullingar is based in the old Mullingar Town
Hall. The auditorium of the all is almost identical in width, length
and height to the auditorium of Dundalk Town Hall. Although an
extension has been built recently, the state is almost identical.
Mullingar Arts Centre has raked seating which can accommodate 407
persons. This seating is on a hydraulic system which means that the
seating can be folded up like a concertina after a performance.
It is not uncommon for a full theatre performance to be staged to
a seated audience followed shortly after by a dance attended by an
entirely different group of people. In the same room!
The raked seats are moved back and tables and chairs are placed
in the hall. Suitable lighting provides a club atmosphere. According
to some ot the sound technicians employed there the acoustics of the
hall are not affected by the rake.
I am well aware that this type of arrangement would not suit the
many young and old groups of all natures who are seeking rehearsal
space.
Frankly as an insider I think that the only thing that could
please everyone in that respect is a vivid imagination. But it
certainly would be an almost perfect answer to the problem of
finding somewhere suitable to showcase the great talent that we have
in our town.
Yours
Anthony O’Hagan.
