
At the Theatre Royal in Limerick, a surprising incident occurred during an Irish concert and play. Miss Olive Barry, an artist performing at the event, received an encore for her song. As she began to sing an English song in response, a committee member intervened, leading to her departure from the stage.
The audience, unhappy with this disruption, called for Miss Barry to return and perform her encore. Eventually, she came back and sang in Irish, following the committee’s regulations. A committee member explained that it was a rule at Irish concerts not to perform songs in English, although the explanation was not well-received by some attendees. Regardless, the concert continued, and the audience was entertained by the selection of a play that adhered to the linguistic guidelines.
Downham Market Gazette – Saturday 28 February 1903