Mayor honours Wexford’s Billy Roche

By Dan Walsh at Wexford Arts Centre

Mayor of Wexford Cllr John Hegarty paid the Council’s highest possible tribute to multi-talented internationally renowned writer Billy Roche with a celebrated Mayoral Reception held in Wexford Arts Centre in the town this evening. Mr. Roche also added his name to the Distinguished Visitors Book.

Mayor Hegarty commenced; “As Mayor of Wexford it is a great honour to welcome ye all here  this evening to celebrated the life, the work, the wonderful contribution of a remarkable individual, a true Wexfordman whose amazing talent has captivated audiences all over the world; not just as a playwright, but as a master of prose, songwriter, singer, actor, member of Asdána and one of Ireland’s greatest ever playwrights – the one and only Billy Roche. Billy, I’m really delighted to welcome you here this evening to this special event.”

Billy Roche savoured the honour and was modest in his address which outlined where it all started, his climb up the ladder of success and explained that he was about to embark on a new journey. He showed his appreciation to the Mayor and the Council and met, talked and shook hands with everybody in attendance.

Ben Barnes, Artistic Director of Four Rivers Theatre Company, added his congratulations to Billy Roche and previewed a host of events coming to Wexford Arts Centre such as Billy Roche’s A Handful of Stars which is being revised by Four Rivers in partnership with Wexford Arts Centre to marks its  50^th anniversary. The first play in Billy’s The Wexford Trilogy, A Handful of Stars explores how thwarted ambitions can both destroy dreams and shape character in small town Ireland.

First staged at Wexford Arts Centre as The Boker Poker Club in 1986, it appeared at The Bush Theatre, London as A Handful of Stars two years later  and described by The Guardian newspaper as ‘one of the year’s great theatre events.’A Handful of Stars is finally coming home in June with a fortnight run at Wexford Arts Centre (6th to 9th June and 11th – 16th June).

Wexford Borough Council District Manager Anthony Bailey acted as master of ceremonies and commenced by greeting Billy Roche, his wife Patty and family and friends and welcoming the large attendance to Wexford Arts Centre this evening.

“We are here to recognise and thank Mr. Billy Roche for his work as a singer, playwright, writer, actor and tutor of aspiring writers,” said Mr Bailey, who added; “It is an opportunity for the Council to celebrate one of our own.”

The attendance included Cllrs Garry Laffan, Maura Bell, George Lawlor, Tom Forde and Davy Hynes, actors Gary Lydon and Dermot Murphy and Conall Morrison, Stage Director.