Thurles Drama Opening Night in aid of Order of Malta
Thurles Drama Group will present Rathmines Road by Deirdre Kinahan in The Source Arts Centre from Sunday February 16th until Friday February 21st inclusive. Opening night is Sunday and will be a benefit night for Thurles Order of Malta. Due to the sensitive themes and language in the play, Rathmines Road is not suitable for children under 14 years of age. Rehearsals are going really well and with 2 weeks to opening night the group are excited about supporting the Order of Malta’s fundraising programme.
The Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps is one of the largest providers of first aid and voluntary medical services in Ireland. From small beginnings in Galway in 1938, it has developed into an organisation of over 2,500 members in more than 60 Units spread throughout communities all over Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The Order of Malta Ireland Ambulance Corps Thurles was established in 1948, shortly followed by its Cadet Unit, and has grown to become one of the largest and most active units in the country. They provide excellence in first aid training, event cover, transport, venue hire, and community care services to the greater Thurles and Templemore area.
The Unit is made up of voluntary members of all ages into their eighties from all around the Mid-Tipperary area and a Cadet Unit (10-16 year olds). Membership is also made up of medical professionals – Doctors, Nurses, EMT’s, Paramedics, and Advanced Paramedics. Some of the Officers have been appointed to National and Regional roles within our organisation. Thurles unit provides many first aid and community services, first aid training courses for industry and for the public, emergency first aid and ambulance cover at events around Thurles like GAA matches, horse racing, car rallies, pilgrimages, major Diocesan events, and point-to-points.
They also provide patient transport facilities with our fleet of five fully equipped multi-terrain and sized ambulances and a mobile first aid station along with many community care services like nursing home visits and entertainment, parties for the elderly, hospitality at Blood Donation Clinics, and they are central to many Public Access Defibrillator Programmes locally.
The reason for fundraising on this occasion is the running of the Thurles Cadet Unit Order of Malta. As Dennis Jordan points out, “it will be used for the running of the Cadet Unit including uniforms, training, travel for our annual cadet camp, competitions and activities. In addition, we like to supplement the cost to parents of cadets who travel to Lourdes to assist with caring for the sick during the Order of Malta International Pilgrimage to Lourdes. We also attend the National Order of Malta Pilgrimage to Knock every year. We are once again delighted to work with Thurles Drama Group and supporting their wonderful contribution to drama and community theatre in Thurles”.
Opening night tickets are on sale for €20, including a wine and canapes reception at 7 15pm, and can be purchased from any member of the Order of Malta, Thurles Drama Group and The Source box office.
