On Monday afternoon, twenty or so members and friends of The Palace Players were, by virtue of their recent All-Ireland win, honoured at County Hall with a civic reception, courtesy of the Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Alan Coleman.

The group was welcomed to the chamber by the Mayor who said the event was 'the highest accolade that Cork County Council can award to any group or individual' and went on to congratulate the Palace Players on bringing the RTE trophy back to County Cork.

Cllr Frank O'Flynn who, along with Cllr Kay Dawson had requested the civic reception, spoke of the great tradition of drama in Kilworth, recalling times past when, as a child, he saw many plays in Kilworth during Lent. He spoke of Liam Howard's dedication to drama over the years and the great achievement by the Palace Players this year in winning what he described as 'the Sam Maguire of drama'.

Cllr Kay Dawson said the joy and camaraderie that the success had brought to the group was clearly evident on the faces of those present, adding that the honours were 'well deserved'.

Cllr Ian Doyle said while his allegience might be to his own side of the Municipal District (Charleville's Shoestring group), he extended heartiest congratulations to Liam and The Palace Players, adding that both the groups in Charleville and Kilworth/Fermoy are ensuring that the art of drama is being kept 'to the highest level'.

Extending her congratulations, Cllr June Murphy spoke briefly of her own time involved with a drama group in Ennis and said she understood the huge amount of time and commitment it had taken to get to this level.

Cobh-based councillor, Clare Cullinane, referring of her own connection with the Haulbowline Theatre Group, concurred with Cllr Murphy and wished the group every success in the future.

Cork County Council's Arts officer, Ian McDonagh spoke in glowing terms of what he termed 'the strength of the performance he had been privileged to see on a recent Sunday afternoon in Kilworth'. To call it amateur drama was wrong, he said and he went on to extol the quality and cohesiveness on the overall production.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Liam Howard thanked the Mayor and the elected representatives for inviting the group to County Hall. "We are deeply honoured and very much appreciative of the gesture," he said.

He went on to thank the county council for its support of the arts. He thanked Ian and his office for their continued encouragement and, wearing his cap from The Village Arts Centre, said without the funding the venue receives from the council each year, it would not be possible to continue attracting top acts from all over Europe and beyond.

Expressing his thanks to his colleague in the group for 'the huge commitment they had given', he also thanked their respective family members for their 'support and understanding'.

Mayor Coleman then presented a crystal vase emblazoned with the council's logo to Liam who accepted it on behalf of the entire group and invited everyone to partake in the wonderful array of food and refreshments that was laid on.

And the celebrations continue, with the group having received an invitation from President Michael D Higgins' office to meet with him at Arus an Uachtaran at the end of the month.

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