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Welcome to the offical Historical site of Rochfortbridge
Plays By Denis O'Neill
- The Earl of Belvedere. (Musical Drama)
- Black 47. (Factual 1847 Irish Famine Drama)
- The Matchmaker (Comedy)
- The Flight of the Earls (Musical Drama...under construction)
Belvedere Drama Group
Belvedere Drama Group, formerly known as "The Park Drama Group" is the oldest established Drama Group in County Westmeath, Ireland. Its first major success was "a will and a woman" by Lady Gregory, and was performed in Dublin 1932. It won a silver medal in a nationwide drama festival. The producer and director was the late John (Jack) O'Neill. The Drama Group, now captained by Jacks grandson Denis O'Neill, held its last play "The Earl of Belvedere" in 2006 in the Parish Hall, Rochfortbridge. The play was written, directed and choreographed by Denis and his wife Fionnuala. The cast, crew, costumes, props, sound, light, musical arrangements etc. were all catered for by this talented family with the support of local relatives and friends. This was undoubtedly the greatest performance, and the last performance that the parish hall in its present guise will ever see. Another play by Denis, Black 47, will be staged in Melbourne, Australia, in the spring of 2007, to mark the 160th anniversary of the great famine in Ireland and its contribution to the growth of the nation of Australia. A play to commemorate the “Flight of the Earls” is under edit at the moment by Denis and will be on stage at the gathering of the clan this summer (2007). This musical drama is said to be the swan song of all and is heart wrenching to all that understand its meaning. Belvedere Drama Group will continue to provide top class drama with any degree of input to any appreciative audience. For further information contact Belvedere Drama Group, Beechwood Lodge, Gaulstown, Rochfortbridge, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. or e-mail denisponeill@eircom.net
Robert Rochfort
1st Earl of Belvedere
O'Neill coat of arms
Léamh dearg abú
Blog Archive
Trapped Inside, A poem about the "Stardust" disaster
Trapped inside
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Out on a date.
Feeling great.
Never thought that they would perish.
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Some ones daughter.
Some ones son.
Some ones friend to forever cherish.
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Valentine.
Wine and dine.
A club to end the night of zeal.
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Paid at the door.
Seen no more.
The lives so young, a crime to steal.
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Trapped inside.
Nowhere to hide.
Flames envelope every cove.
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So many cried.
48 died.
Never to end the night of love.
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Spirits roam.
Never went home.
Valentines night, where they abide.
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Lovers kiss.
While friends miss.
The Stardust victims trapped inside.
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By Denis O'Neill.
List of Places of historical imporntance in Rochfortbridge
- Belfield Demense
- Castlelost Castle
- Dunboden Park
- Gaulstown Bog (artifical lakes)
- Gaulstown Chapel
- Kilbride House
- Lanahullian
- Rahanine ring fort
- The Castle field
- The Deck
- The Derries