A popular musical about a County Mayo born Monsignor who founded
Knock Airport looks set to be restaged this summer to celebrate the
centenary of his birth.
Monsignor James Horan will forever be remembered as the Parish Priest
of Knock who took on the establishment to build an airport in Knock.
Last November, to commemorate his memory, a musical entitled A Wing and a Prayer,
which was an adaption of the book with a similar name, was staged in
Castlebar with an entirely local cast.
The musical, written by Terry
Reilly, was seen by over 10,000 people.
Indeed such was its popularity
that locals are planning to restage the event in the Royal Theatre in
Castlebar on May 5 and 7.
It has also been announced that the proceeds from the May shows, like
those last November, will go to the Mayo/ Roscommon Hospice that must
raise in excess of €1 million in donations and fundraising efforts to
maintain its palliative care service for the two counties.
According to Hospice Chief Executive Cynthnia Clampett, “The
palliative care service in both counties is heavily dependent on
voluntary fundraising. The musical has given a great boost to the local
hospice and it is hoped that the centenary of Monsignor Horan's birth
will be appropriately marked with two more sell out shows.”
Tickets for the show cost €27.50 and are available on Ticketmaster.
Monsignor Horan was born on May 5 1911 and died on August 1 1986.