UH/1236

Irish American theatre group pay tribute to Omagh
BY: ADRIAN MULLAN

A CLANABOGAN man who started a theatre group in the United States to bring more Irish drama to the town of New Haven, turned the attention of his audiences to the tragedy in Omagh on August 15th and raised thousands of dollars for the Omagh Fund in the process.
Charlie Starrs emigrated to the United States some 30 years ago with his wife Margaret, shortly after his arrival in the brave new world, he founded the 'Gaelic Players' and along with some friends staged J.B. Keane's 'The Hiker'; that was the start of a long series of Irish plays which the works of Kavanagh, Friel, Shiels, O'Casey, and others to New Haven.
In November last the Gaelic Players presented the George Shiel's play, 'The Rugged Path', which tells the story of two land owning clans who have come into conflict, it is set just after Irish Independence, and juxtaposes the formal and informal, presenting the dilemma whereby people must choose between the most enduring law of the land or the 'law of the clan'.
Speaking to a U.S. newspaper, Charlie Starrs said; "Theatre is Ireland's greatest gift to world culture. I've always felt that our children would learn about their parents' heritage by seeing plays."
The play was a huge success and was dedicated to the people of Omagh. The programme noted; "Many of our members have noted the healing power of art in their own times of trouble our wish is that the people of Omagh will know we are their kinfolk on this rugged path and that our gratitude and concern may give them some healing."
Last week Charlie Starrs brother, Gerry, on behalf of the group presented the fund with a cheque for $10,800 which is around £6, 600.