Last Sunday evening, I had the honour of deputising for the Lord Mayor at a special musical tribute night at the Everyman Palace to Eileen Nolan, founder of the Montforts. Eileen has done much for the arts, entertainment and drama education in Cork through a number of decades. I was delighted that she received Cork person of the month.

Kieran’s Speech:

Eileen Nolan and family, ladies and gentlemen. It’s a great privilege to be here this evening. Interestingly enough, the last time I stood here I was in an Eileen Nolan – Monfort production that of the Wizard of Oz

I played what I deemed was a key role – not the lion, tinman or scarecrow but a winged monkey working for the wicked witch of the west.

That production was my first production with Eileen – she stood in the wings, watching, praising, tweaking costumes, giving direction and also thanking. I remember after each night, she thanked all the cast for their energy and talent

 But for Eileen this has been the ritual for decades – promoting showbusiness, inspiring and educating students and development their creative talents. As a representative of the Lord Mayor, I wish to sincerely thank Eileen for her hard and tireless work. Some of the rich fruits of her work will thread the boards here this evening.

As a city, we are slow to celebrate our local heroes, which we need to do alot more. Eileen, you are a hero. You have wielded drama and its power to grasp inspire, provoke questions and the imagination and draw in the viewer and so much more. Eileen you have also given hope and have no doubt have saved souls.

Ladies and gentlemen there is so much to learn from Eileen – what we will see here tonight is a mixture of the veteran performer and the young and up in coming performing. All come to pay homage, all bring their own talents confidence self pride, self belief and a desire to entertain.

Ladies and gentlemen, in this world, we need more of such confidence, pride and belief – we need to mass produce these qualities, all of which Eileen stands for. Ladies and gentlemen, we need more Eileen Nolans – she continues to build a legacy and also continues to present us with the question

 – well what are we doing in our own lives to push forward?

I wish to congratulate Eileen plus all involved in this production from the Palace staff, the cast and crew, the directors Marion Wyatt and Trevor Ryan and to say to one and all break a leg.

Go raibh maith agaibh