History

In 1973 a group of people met and decided to establish a musical society to cater for the large number of young people who had settled in Baldoyle in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The first production was The Gondoliers, which was followed by The Mikado in 1974.

It was quickly realised that the northside of Dublin had no pantomime and that there was a potential audience for this traditional entertainment.

January 1975 saw the first panto, Dick Whittington and His Cat, staged in St. Marys Hall in the village, and the large numbers seeking tickets warranted the staging of an additional performance.

In the ensuing years Baldoyle has produced a panto each January and this entertainment has become firmly established as the premier, not to mention longest running, pantomime in north Dublin.

We have overcome many difficulties in our history such as power cuts, severe freezing, petrol strikes and bus strikes but in the oldest tradition of the stage, the show must go on!

A measure of the popularity of the Baldoyle panto is that we already have firm bookings for performances to be staged next January!

In addition to our panto, which is seen by some 3,000 patrons each year, we produce a musical in late April and the high quality of these productions has been rewarded with successes in competition at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, the Northern Ireland Festival of Light Opera, and the annual competition run by the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS).

One of the major factors contributing to the longevity and success of Baldoyle MS has been the availability of a permanent home in which to rehearse, store props and costumes, and to perform.

For this, the society is indebted to the Principal and the Board of Management of St. Marys Secondary School, the owners of St. Marys Hall.

In 1973, Sr. Conleth generously gave the society the use of the hall on the basis that we were a community-based group catering for local audiences.

We have also benefitted greatly from the freely given skills of many craftsmen who have provided top-class sets and props. Their workmanship has become a hallmark of Baldoyle, often envied by fellow groups.

One of the stated objectives of the fledgling society was to provide a creative outlet for the people of the local community.

This has been achieved, and indeed quite a number of marriages and partnerships have grown out of the ranks of Baldoyle MS (thats creative!). Today we have sons and daughters (and some grandchildren) of early members treading the boards with them.

In this spirit Baldoyle Musical Society realises that recent developments in the Baldoyle, Clongriffin, Belmayne, Clare Hall, and other areas have brought many new residents into what might be termed the hinterland of Baldoyle.
We feel that there are people now living in the area who may like to get involved with a fun pastime like song and dance while using the opportunity to meet people in their adopted locality.

New members (over the age of 16) are very welcome to join the society, either to perform or to help out either backstage or front of house.
One way or the other, great fun with a great social life is guaranteed for all!
For further details on joining Baldoyle Musical Society or booking tickets for the next show, please email us at info@baldoylemusicalsociety.ie