Our History

History

The foundation stone of the former Parochial Hall was laid in July 1961 by the late Fr James Donnelly CC during the Patrician year. ‘The Patrician Hall’ as it was to be known was built almost entirely by voluntary labour. The official opening and blessing was on the 25th of February 1962 by the late Fr Patrick Hughes PP, followed by a variety concert. It was a spacious and fully equipped building with a large stage, dressing rooms, cloak rooms, tea room, balcony and a sprung maple floor for dancing.

The Mid-Ulster Drama Festival originated there in 1964, and is still recognised as one of the major drama festivals in Ireland. Literary giants such as Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea, Seamus Heaney and Brian Friel graced the famous stage at ‘the hall’.

Throughout those years, patrons enjoyed the Showband era where only the top bands played. It also played host to many distinguished guests and entertainers; and provided a venue for local fundraising events.

After forty years, there was a need to provide a new centre for the entire community as the old Parochial hall had fallen into a state of disrepair.

In 2001, a local voluntary group was created to plan a redevelopment of the original building and so provide a modern facility for community social activities and arts events. The project steering group, representative of organisations and individuals in the Carrickmore area, formally became constituted as MUCAT (Mid-Ulster Community and Arts Trust) in 2003. All members worked voluntarily with some undertaking training in relation to Fund and Project Management. A series of meetings between MUCAT, the Parish Council and the Archdiocese resulted in a transfer of the Patrician Hall to MUCAT on a leased basis for redevelopment and future management for an initial period of 30 years. Major fundraising was undertaken within the local area and public sector funding was met with community contributions towards the new venue. Through hard work and determination, plans were published in consultation with the local community for the new venue. Work began on renovation work in 2004 with much of the work of clearing the building coming once again from voluntary labour with construction starting soon after.

The Patrician opened its doors for the first time again in 2005 with the official opening later that year by President Mary McAleese.

Liam Neeson on his formative years in amateur drama: “there was always a drama festival going on in some little village hall. It was always supported by the people. I remember playing the Patrician Hall in Carrickmore, County Tyrone, both as an amateur and as a professional with Field Day. It was a big place, and the first time I went, I was surprised that at eight o’clock the hall was almost empty. But then I learned that the play would start at nine. That was so the cows could be milked and the farmers would have a chance to get washed up before coming to the play. Professionally I did Brian Friel’s Translations there with Stephen Rea, a Field Day production. In amateur days, I did Tennessee Williams’ Sweet Bird Of Youth’. I also played in ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come.”

–The Sunday Times Magazine, Nov 1996

Nowadays, The Patrician is open and available to all providing a superb local hub, acting as a venue for weekly classes and activities, for access to the library; as well as being an entertainment venue, attracting local and national names in everything from drama, comedy, music and performance. It also acts as a venue for weddings, parties, anniversaries and everything in between.