PRESS RELEASE
Jomac Productions ‘On The Road’ for 50 years.
When Jomac Productions begin their round of hospital and retirement home visits in 2002, they will have reached a unique milestone in their history. The group of voluntary hospital entertainers will have been on the road for 50 years.
Jomac Productions, at first a somewhat cryptic identity but one which, over the years, has become synonymous with entertainment for many whose lives embraced little of the lighter side of life.
It all started in 1952, the brainchild of a few altar boys attached to the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Gardiner Street, headed by Joe Maguire and Robert MacLoughlin who having brought their friends to entertain at a few hospitals, thought it would be worthwhile putting the venture on a proper basis. Thus was born Jomac, a name that was rapidly to appear with increasing frequency in the newspapers , giving account of their trips to an ever expanding circle of institutions.
Robert MacLoughlin co-founder recalls “The group of boys and young men – and later young women – would arrive in an assortment of cars, buses and bicycles to carry the Jomac banner into the wards and the modest assembly halls of places like Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Cappagh Hospital, The Seamen’s Institute, St. Patrick’s Refuge Dun Laoghaire, Basin Lane Convent, St. Joseph’s Portland Row and many others, brought with them the elexir of laughter and song that must have been of the greatest theraputic value – better than all the medicine in the world”.
Gradually the Jomac entertainment dragnet extended to areas outside Dublin, such as, Crooksling, Kilbeggan, Athlone, Kells, Waterford, Wexford, Cork and many more venues, so that delighted audiences everywhere, from the women of Dublin’s Portland Row to the men in the St. Vincent de Paul night shelter at Back Lane to the patients in Cappagh Hospital anticipated the arrival of the group as possibly the best of all possible tonics.
Over the years Jomac can boast starting many of today’s household names on their way in the entertainment business at home and abroad. Among them, the chart topping Bachelors, Ireland’s first Eurovision entry, the late, Butch Moore, Noel V Ginnity, Geraldine Branagan, Kathy Nugent, Joe Conlon, Des Allen and ‘Any Dream Will Do’ star, Joe Cuddy who has been associated with the group for many years.
In 1981 Jomac spread its wings to the U.S.A. and has returned stateside five times since. Looking back on half a century the Jomac entertainers have found their best audiences in the very young and the very old with their warmest reception guaranteed in the quiet reception rooms of the senior citizens’ homes. Today they claim that it has always been there that they have found more than ample recompense for their efforts in keeping Jomac going.
“ To celebrate our Jubilee Year”, says Robert, “we are organising a number of events during the year and we would particularly like to hear from past members who may wish to be involved”.
http://communities.msn.com/jomacproductionsireland
JUBILEE YEAR SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
MASS JANUARY 2002.
Commemorative Mass to be held at The Little Sisters of the Poor in Roebuck on Sunday 6th January. Attendance will be by invitation and VIP attendees are expected.
AUDIENCE WITH THE PRESIDENT MONDAY 9th DECEMBER 2002.
A group audience with The President of Ireland at her residence Aras an Uachtarain in the Phoenix Park, Dublin has been scheduled for Monday 9th December 2002 at 11.30a.m.
END OF SEASON SHOW.
The traditional end of season public show will be run over two nights 8th and 9th June 2002 to facilitate demand for tickets. The Royal Hospital in Donnybrook will benefit from these shows. A souvenir program will be available for the occasion.
ANNUAL BAR-B-Q.
Our annual outing for members, their families and friends will again take place in the grounds of Clongowes Wood College in July 2002. Plenty of outdoor activities are available also access to the heated indoor swimming pool has been granted.
GALA DINNER / DANCE WEEK-END AUGUST 2002.
A super event has been arranged for 17th August 2002. A Gala Dinner/Dance will be held in The Shieling Hotel, Raheny.
