Sligo Hospital Musical Society Wins Cathaoirleach’s Award for Community Group

Sligo Hospital Musical Society has been awarded Community Group of the Year at the Sligo County Council Cathaoirleach’s Awards, a prestigious honour recognising outstanding voluntary and community contribution across County Sligo.

The awards are presented annually and celebrate individuals and groups who make an exceptional and positive impact on community life in Sligo, recognising leadership, inclusion, creativity and commitment to improving the wellbeing of others.

Sligo Hospital Musical Society was founded in 1997 by two junior doctors, who believed a hospital pantomime would be just what the doctor ordered. The first panto productions were staged in a modular building behind the hospital but as the society grew, they found a long-term home at Hawks Well Theatre. The hospital panto now has an annual run of six sell-out shows every January.

The cast and crew is made up entirely of HSE and hospital employees from all disciplines including nurses, doctors, allied health professionals, porters, catering and administrative staff. They all juggle demanding workloads and night shifts with the commitment of attending rehearsals. Their dedication is what makes each production so special.

That they do has always been about more than just putting on a show. Each year, all the profits from the ticket sales and raffle are donated to local causes and charities and since their inception they have been proud to donate over €220,000.

On presenting the award, Councillor Michael Clarke stated “This group has continued to deliver theatre to the highest standard by embodying the very best of community spirit. They bring joy where it is needed, give back without hesitation and demonstrate that caring as a community goes far beyond the hospital walls. Their work has not gone unnoticed. This year, even a feature in RTE’s Liveline with Kieran Cuddihy, highlighted just how unique and extraordinary this tradition truly is. I don’t believe any other hospital in Ireland does anything quite like this and their efforts deserve every bit of recognition we can give them. These people already give so much to our community simply by going to work every day and yet they chose to give even more, to bring laughter and light into the dark days of winter, to raise funds for those in need and to remind us of the power of community.”

The award was accepted by Director, Niamh Manly who thanked Sligo County Council for the recognition and praised the efforts of the cast, volunteers and local business sponsors whose time and generosity results in real help for people and organisations close to home. Niamh also dedicated the award to Deirdre Staunton, who was the Cardiac Resuscitation Officer in Sligo University Hospital and sadly passed away due to lung cancer in 2023. “Our society has been on the go since 1997 and the majority of that time was at the helm of our late Co-Director Deirdre Staunton.  We wouldn’t be the group we are today without her leadership, enthusiasm and energy. We accept this award in her honour.”

The HSE recognises the importance of arts and community engagement in supporting health and wellbeing, and Sligo Hospital Musical Society stands as a shining example of how voluntary groups can make a meaningful difference within the healthcare environment and wider community.