IRISH GEORGIAN SOCIETY 74 MERRION SQUARE, DUBLIN 2, IRELAND TEL. 01-6767035 FAX 01-6620290

21th October 1996.

"It is really stimulating to see such an in-depth piece of research on Limerick's Athenaeum - the nerve centre of the towns political, intellectual and entertainment world from the mid 19th century "If Walls Could Talk" brings a spotlight on a totally new aspect of Limerick's past and present; from the opera star Catherine Hayes to Dolores O' Riordan of the Cranberries !" Knight Of Glin The Society aims to encourage an interest in and the preservation of distinguished examples of architecture and the allied arts in Ireland [Source "Who's Who In Ireland. Published By Hibernian Publishing Company Ltd. Co. Dublin 1991 Editor, Maureen Carinduff]

25th November 1996.

"The book "If Walls Could Talk" tells the evenful story of the History of the Limerick Athenaeum since it was founded in July 1856. The work is a welcome and valuable contribution to Limerick Historical Studies. I unreservedly recomend it, particulary to Limerick people every where. We owe a debt of gratitude to the authors, Seamus Flynn and James A McMahon for their painstaking research and dedication in the preparation of this book". Mayor Jim Kemmy at The Limerick Athenaeum Jim Kemmy, TD Jim Kemmy, editor of the Old Limerick Journal and of "The Limerick Anthology" published by Gill & Macmillan Ltd. Dublin. 1996. Mr Kemmy has represented the constituency of Limerick in Dail Eireann for a number of years and was elected as Mayor of Limerick on two occasions. Click Here to link to the Irish Government Web Site. [Source "Who's Who In Ireland. Published By Hibernian Publishing Company Ltd. Co. Dublin 1991 Editor, Maureen Carinduff] Limerick Leader "The book "If Walls Could Talk" is a fine study of one of Limerick's oldest cultural institutions by producer, Seamus Flynn, and author, James McMahon, and is to be welcomed by the citizens, especially those for the flair for the theatre, and those who remember the palmy days of early cinema. Here the author has succeded in re-routing the old Athenaeum into its proper place in the history of our city, and at the same time opened a new door into Limerick's past. It is a brave attempt to dilineate many of the superficial features of the old "Ata", as well as its underlying character. It is attractivally written around a patient research carried out by the author, James McMahon, and is profusely illustrated. It displays an able and sensitive handling of sometimes rather complicated materials, and good historical judgement in the conclusions reached. In a word, "If Walls Could Talk" is a splended achievement, appealing to the student of local history, and even more so to those who never heard of the glory days of the "Athenaeum", and withal a book that will surprise many, and will be read with pleasure by lovers of the theatre, young and old, and by all those interested in our local history" The late Kevin Hannan Kevin Hannan Kevin Hannan, newspaper columnist with the Limerick Chronicle and author of "Limerick Historic Reflections" published by Oireacht Press, Limerick. 1996. Mr Hannan died shortly after the publication of his book. He will be remembered as a prolific writer who did much to popularise an interest in the study of the local history of his native city.

14th December 1996.

"One of the most important works on Limerick's history to be published in recent years. The buildings that house The Theatre Royal and the Limerick VEC are among the most historic in the city but their past was virtually unknown to the general public. Now, a forgotten but very significant part of our rich history has been brought to life in this informative and lavishly illustrated book. Among the many topics covered are the Commissioners of St. Michael's Parish, the Adult Education Movement and the development of theatre and cinema in Limerick." Martin Potter Martin Potter is the author of "The Life and Times of William Monsell, First Baron Emly of Tervoe" published by Treaty Press, Limerick 1994.

Newspaper Reviews

LlMERICK CHRONICLE TUESDAY JUNE 10, 1997. Book reveals how Denis Hayes fell at Agincourt Paddy Moroney THERE was plenty of drama, in more ways than one, during the lifetime of the Theatre Royal, according a heavily researched book about the famous Limerick institution. In the old days, the theatre the oldest surviving concert hall in the country saw the inside of courts in its role as a litigant, had visits by film stars, and enjoyed much of the kind of drama that made the theatre a lifestyle in itself. The literary work, "If Walls Could Talk" subtitled "The Storv of an Irish Theatre", has now gone on sale at major Limerick bookstores. It has been produced by Seamus Flynn for Athenaeum Research, based at the Theatre Royal. The book. which tells the story of the Theatre Royal right back to its early Victorian foundation, reads like a social history of Limerick, and the city s tastes in entertainment. This is graphically illustrated in the recounting of a famous civil court case brought by the cinema itself in 1930: in those days, the theatre was trading as the Athenaeum Picture Hall. An individual a small shopkeeper stole two parts of the film "Juno and the Paycock". They were subsequently burned by persons unknown in nearby Catherine Street. The film had been the subject of protests in various parts of the country before coming to Limerick. The subsequent case involved some well known city names. State solicitor was J J. Power, the Athenaeum was represented by P S Connolly & Co, and the accused was represented by M V Fitzgerald, instructed by M Tynan, solicitor. What is not so well known is that the Commissionaire who was on the staff of the new Royal Cinema when it opened in 1947 was Denis Hayes, who had been in the film, Henry V, when it was made in Ireland during the Emergency years, starring Laurence Olivier. Denis starred on horse back at the Battle of Agincourt, and was seen to fall under the weight of 15th century arrows. The film was in colour. He died in 1966, at the early age of 52. Garryowen Rugby Football Club was founded at the theatre. "If Walls Could Talk" goes right back to the time of Catherine Hayes and Percy French. It then continues down to the 20th century the era of the great Count John McCormack and ends with the Corrs, Boyzone and The Cranberries. The colourful story of the Limerick Athenaeum begins on November 15, 1852, when William Lane Joint called a meeting in Leamy's Institute. William Lane Joynt went on to become Mayor of Limerick and Lord Mayor of Dublin. It was built' incorporating the old town hall of Georgian Limerick, the St Michael's Parish commissioners, and was built by public subscription. The Athenaeum was described at its opening, by Lord Lieutenant Carlisle, as the finest concert hall in the country: its ceilings and three domes received special mention. It was built' incorporating the old town hall of Georgian Limerick, the St Michael's Parish commissioners, and was built by public subscription. The Athenaeum was described at its opening, by Lord Lieutenant Carlisle, as the finest concert hall in the country: its ceilings and three domes received special mention. One of the first subscribers was Sir Richard Bourke, Governor of Australia, who founded the present Australian education system and in 1855 the first farmers' association here, the Farmers' Club. Catherine Hayes, the world famous Irish soprano, gave her services free for a concert to raise money for a large pipe-organ for the city. The Mechanics' Institute promoted a lecture in the theatre by the great Irish patriot. William Smith O’Brien. Other great leaders who spoke there included Padraig Pearse, Sir Roger Casement, Maud Gonne, Charles Stuart Parnell. Michael Davitt, John Dillon, John Redmond, Hannah Sheehy Skeffington, Isaac Butt. and John Bright. And to encompass every political opinion, an address of welcome to Queen Victoria was held here, during her Irish visit, though she herself did not attend. The Athenaeum was Limerick's first free public library, and a school of art Sean Keating was one of its last pupils. One of Ireland's first and biggest film festivals were held there in 1900, boasting 100 miles of film.An art exhibition at the Athenaeum, opened by Peter Tait, featured pictures by Rembrandt, Rubens, Constable, and Baroccio. Overall, the book is a good no-nonsense read, and evidence of what can be achieved in the field of painstaking local research.

Internet Reviews Name: O. L. Krasner E-mail: none City: New York, USA Homepage: http:// Found us by: Comment: Beautifully designed site. A pleasure to use! Name: Gerry Griffin E-mail: griffin@iol.ie City: Limerick City Homepage: http:// Found us by: Comment: Excellent pages....very interesting....particularly to Garryowen F.C. members. Looking forward to further contacts. Name: Basil F. Walsh E-mail: basilwalsh@msn.com City: Corla Gables, Florida USA Homepage: http:// Found us by: Comment: Thanks enjoyed it very much this second time around. Obviously an enormous amount of work went into the preparation.Congratulations to all.BFW/Coral Gables Florida Name: Mark Humphrys E-mail: Mark.Humphrys@cl.cam.ac.uk City: Cambridge University, England. Homepage: http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mh10006/FamTree/Barrington/ Found us by: Comment: Hi, I would like to buy the book: If Walls Could Talk - The Limerick Athenaeum, The story of an Irish Theatre since 1852 Can you tell me how I can order it? Incidentally I am a descendant of Stephen O'Mara featured in the book. See: http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~mh10006/FamTree/OMeara/summary.html Signed on: Sat Jul 12 02:22:38 1997