by Pag Prendeville

Well I’m that sure my children are delighted that A TOMB with a VIEW has come to an end as they each took turns at sitting with Jim while I was out rehearsing several times a week. Under the Direction of Eleanor McSweeney and Stage Manager Edel Buttery our four performances were enthusiastically received by a full house each night. Each member of the cast gave of their best and delighted and amazed the audiences with their talents. This crew had to deal with more drama than was expected and had to adapt to some recent changes. Thanks to Eimhin O’Brien from Listowel who stepped in to take the place of Owen O’Brien who, due to work commitments, had to step back for a while. Eimhin, who had not been on stage previously bravely joined this group and excelled in his role as Perry. Then, just last week, John Buttery ended up in hospital and Tom Denihan of Athea saved the day by taking on his role and again doing a marvellous job. Abha Bhán Players are so grateful to both these and will be doing their best to hold on to these stars! Now that all the hype is over a rest is needed but rest assured you have not heard the last of Abha Bhán Players. We will be back when the time is right. Thank you to all who came along to support the performances. The audience reaction really brings out the best in the actors and we had great audiences each night.

The floor of the new Knockdown shop has been laid. We wait eagerly for the time when we can walk in the door.

Imagine it was 20 years ago since the smoking ban came in. ‘Twas the best thing ever. I composed the following poem back then for a bit of fun.

The Pub with no Smoke

Non-smoker: Sure tis delightful to see as I look round the bar

Such clear and crisp features, no smoke here at all

And at last I can breathe no more coughing for me

No more streaming red eyes – oh tis grand to be here.

Smoker: What are you smiling at I’d like to know?

To have my one fag, out the door I must go

No matter tis raining or hailing or snow

There’s no thought for me if I die with the cold.

Non-smoker: Ah tis long enough now that you’ve had your own way

I’m coming here years and I hadn’t no say

With you puffing beside me and my head in a fog

Going home smelling like a mangy old dog!

Smoker: Oh you think you are great with the law on your side

Lording it over me cos you think you are right

But tis more cruel to be putting me out in the cold

Saying its bad for your health to be smoking indoors.

Non-smoker: Well you have the choice – Stay in and don’t smoke

Or go out for your fag – no this is no joke.

I’ll not stop you having all the smoke that you need

But I don’t want to join you. I don’t like that old weed.

Smoker: Ah go way outa my sight. You’re a pain in the neck

What more do you want you old miserable “get”

You now have a bar with “NO smoking allowed”

But can you see that it’s empty. Where is the crowd?

Non-smoker: They’re all at home waiting for the bar to be clean

I’ll guarantee that next week they’ll be flocking in here

When they know that the air will be clear for the night

Then you will see that Micheal Martin was right!

Smoker: Ah there’s nothing so lonesome as a night in Knockdown

Sitting up at the bar with your face in a frown

Oh there’s nothing so lonesome, morbid or drear

Not being able to smoke while I drink up my beer.