Over the weekend of 31 October and 01 November 1931 crowds were turned away from St. Mary’s school, such was the demand to see the St. Mary’s production of The Lily of Killarney
The fact that this grand romantic opera had been adapted for screen only a couple of years earlier, with the release of a silent movie directed by George Ridgewell, meant it was still fresh in the public mind.
But the clinching factor for its popularity at St. Mary’s was its unashamed Irishness, something which clearly appealed to a parish with strong links to that country. In fact, along with The Bohemian Girl, and Maritana – two other operas favoured over the years by various St. Mary’s theatrical groups – The Lily of Killarney formed what became known as The Irish Ring of operas.
Composed by Julius Benedict, and with words by John Oxenford and Dion Boucicault, it originally premiered in London in 1862. It was based on Boucicault’s own popular play The Colleen Bawn.
As for the plot, set in Ireland in the late 18th century, it tells the story of Hardress Cregan. He secretly married Eily O’Connor, a poor but beautiful girl known as the “Colleen Bawn.” Because Hardress’s family is in financial trouble, he is pressured by to marry the wealthy Ann Chute, with Squire Corrigan being the evil driver behind this scheme. Hardress’s servant, Danny Mann, attempts to get rid of Eily by drowning her, but she is rescued by Myles na Coppaleen. Believing Eily to be dead, Hardress prepares to marry Ann, but Eily is revealed to be alive. Hardress finally acknowledges her as his wife, while the villainous Corrigan is defeated. The opera ends happily with Hardress and Eily reunited.
The cast list for the St.Mary’s production was as follows:
- Lily of Killarney – Winnie Daly;
- Ann Chute – Mary Colleran;
- Mrs. Cregan – Mary Mara;
- Sheelah – Mary Doyle;
- Bridesmaids – Mary Doyle and Hilda Booth;
- Hardress Cregan – Michael Grogan;
- Myles na Coppaleen – Willie Hannan;
- Danny Mann – T. Harkin;
- Father Tom – J. Callaghan;
- Squire Corrigan – C. North;
- Bertie O’Moore – J. McGrath;
- Hyland Creagh – L. Daly;
- Servant – T. Maloney;
- Soldiers – T. Maloney and J. Colleran;
- Irish Ladies – A. Durkin, N. Smith, K. Munns, K. Maye, A. Donegan, N. Callaghan, T. Gallagher, M. Cox, N. Buckley and W. Maye.
- Irish Gentleman – T. Pickles, H. Hughes, L. Daly and J. McGrath.
The star of the St. Mary’s production was undoubtedly Willie Hannan as Myles na Coppaleen, whose singing and dancing left nothing to be desired.
Born in Batley in on 29 December 1900, Willie Hannan was brought up by his mother Mary Ellen and step-father John James McQuinn. He had been part of the church choir since the age of 12, initially singing treble before switching to tenor once his voice broke. In his later years he sang base and, despite a lack of formal musical training, he became the choir’s conductor.
His love of the performing arts extended for a time to his working life, being connected with the Victoria Cinema for a number of years before World War Two. His 1939 Register entry records his occupation as a scenery painter.
He also took a keen interest in the St. Mary’s Operatic Society, being a founder member, and in its early years he was renowned for playing leading tenor roles in their productions. It is likely the Lily of Killarney was produced in the early days of the Operatic Society, during the overlap period with the Choir from which it originated.
Willie Hannan was connected with the Operatic Society right up to his death in January 1964. In fact the February prior to his death, when a visit to Australia meant he would miss their annual production, members recorded the entire show and sent the recording to him. And the last time he left his home before his death was to attend a rehearsal.
St. Mary’s organist Peter Scanlon speaking about him after his demise said:
To those of us who knew him musically, his loss is great. He was a source of tremendous encouragement. His terrific loyalty was inspiring – 50 years of service freely given speaks for itself. His enthusiasm and optimism never flagged.
Willie Hannan’s Lily of Killarney role was in the early stages of his amateur stage career. It was off to a flying start, as the production was declared a tremendous success.
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