Our correspondent reports that a highly successful opening concert took place on Friday night at the Athenaeum in Limerick. Despite a disappointingly small audience, it is hoped that this does not reflect the overall interest in the work of the Gaelic League.

The concert began with Dr Douglas Hyde’s amusing play, “An Cleamnes,” which featured a cast drawn from the local branch of the Gaelic League. The characters included Miss M as Máire, Miss M as Kate, Mr O’Farrell as Ó Conmara, J. J. O’Donovan as Patrick, J. Ó Conmara as Dermot, and John Casey as Jack.

During the interval, the results of the literary competitions held in connection with the Feis were announced. Following the announcement, Mr M. J. Anderson performed several Irish airs on the pipes and received an ovation. Miss Rachel O’Callaghan sang beautifully in Irish, and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the vocal performances. Other notable participants included Mr P. I. McNamara, Miss B. M. Mahony, Masters Walsh, Mr P. Connellan from Lisdoonvarna, and Miss Glynn.

Mr Harebourne, LC.V., showcased his violin skills with an excellent rendition of Irish airs. The Gaelic League class also displayed their talent by dancing an eight-hand reel with finesse, concluding their performance with a lively jig. The concert came to a close with the rendition of the “Rallying” song of the League.

Throughout the evening, Mr Moane’s string band entertained the audience with selections during the intervals, and Mr J. Pemen-Bellows conducted the concert in a satisfactory manner.

The concert’s success marked a promising start to the events at the Athenaeum and demonstrated the enthusiasm and talent within the Gaelic League.

Dublin Evening Telegraph – Saturday 25 June 1904