Claremorris Musical Society basks in national glory

Claremorris Musical Society is celebrating a major achievement on the national stage after bringing home two top honours from the 2025 Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) Awards in Killarney. 

The annual awards ceremony, held in the INEC recently, brought together musical societies from all over Ireland to recognise the best in amateur musical theatre. At the centre of the celebrations was Mary Dempsey, whose portrayal of the mischievous and eccentric Grandma in The Addams Family earned her the award for Best Comedienne in the Sullivan section of the awards. 

Mary, who is originally from Townalough, has been involved with Claremorris Musical Society for over 15 years and her performance was praised for its originality, comic timing and bold characterisation.

Also honoured on the night was Ruadhán Gormally, who was named Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of Lurch in the same production. Ruadhán, from Galway, joined the Claremorris society for the first time this year, making his win all the more impressive.

Directed by Donna Ruane, with musical direction by Deirdre Lee, choreography by Jay Molyyneux and production management by June Allison Keane, The Addams Family was a team effort that brought together talent from across Mayo and beyond. The AIMS wins mark a high point for the group and further solidify its standing in the national musical theatre scene.

Speaking to the Western People, Mary Dempsey said she was “still in shock” and overwhelmed by the support she received. 

“Not in a million years did I think I would win,” she said. “I was just so happy to be nominated.” 

Mary described the role of Grandma as one of her all-time favourites. 

“She’s just so different to anything I’ve ever done before. You could be as crazy and quirky as you wanted. You could hide behind makeup and wigs and be wild and wonderful. It was great fun.” 

In terms of preparation, Mary explained that auditions began back in September when cast members were given audition packs and had to choose which role to go for. 

“I loved the part of Grandma. It allowed me to be outrageous - in a good way!” she said.

The win is Mary’s first AIMS nomination and award, and it has been widely celebrated by her peers. 

“Claremorris Musical Society have been unbelievable. The way they’ve treated us over the last few weeks - the celebrations, the picture collage, all the support - I couldn’t have asked to share the experience with better people,” Mary said.

Mary also credited the society’s committee and her fellow cast members, saying: “Every single person involved in the production contributed hugely to this. It’s a huge team effort.” 

The AIMS Awards weekend is an annual highlight for musical societies across the country. 

“It’s like the Oscars of musical theatre in Ireland,” explained director Donna Ruane. “There were over 1,400 people there this year from all over the country.” 

The weekend began with a themed fancy dress event on Friday night - this year’s theme was Diamonds Are Forever. 

“We had the Queen of Diamonds, Ace of Diamonds, Aladdin, Princess Diana - everything you could think of,” Mary recalled. “Every society joined in.” 

Saturday included a lively barbecue and afternoon entertainment before the formal gala awards ceremony that evening. 

“You get dressed up, meet with your society around 6pm, and then sit down for dinner. After dinner, all the nominees are called to a special area, and each category is announced one by one,” Mary explained.

When the time came for the Best Comedienne award to be announced, Mary stood on stage alongside two other nominees. 

“And the winner is... Mary Dempsey, Grandma, Claremorris Musical Society,” came the announcement. “We nearly hit the roof,” said Donna. “We couldn’t believe it. And then Ruadhán won too. Two wins from two nominations - it was just fantastic.”

Claremorris Musical Society is no stranger to success. The group has previously received national awards, including for Sister Act, but this year’s double win carries special significance.

“Mary’s win means so much to us,” said Donna. “She’s been with us for 15 years, and she’s one of those people who just puts her heart and soul into every role. This was richly deserved.” 

Ruadhán Gormally’s win was also praised by the society. 

“This was his first time working with us, and he was brilliant,” Donna said. “To take home a national award on your debut - that’s something special.” 

The AIMS Awards are split into the Gilbert and Sullivan sections, with different adjudicators travelling the country to attend more than 50 productions. Each show receives a comprehensive review, with nominations announced in late May and the winners revealed at the June ceremony.

“We’re in the Sullivan section,” Donna explained. “The adjudicator attends all the shows and compiles detailed reviews, both public and private, which are then shared with the societies.”

Behind every stage performance is a team of dedicated volunteers and creatives. Claremorris Musical Society’s success this year was made possible by a large support crew.

The cast included approximately 30 performers, supported by a backstage team of about five, with an overall crew of nearly 50 people. 

“It’s a huge undertaking,” said Donna. “And we rely on fundraisers, ticket sales, and sponsorship to make it happen. From quiz nights to raffles and Christmas carolling, every bit helps.” 

Claremorris typically stages four to five performances of their annual show, with rehearsals starting as early as September. 

“It’s a big commitment,” Donna admitted. “And especially challenging when it comes to getting male cast members. Most musicals are very male-heavy, and it’s tough to get men to audition.” 

Donna believes many men are put off by the idea of having to dance. 

“But you don’t have to be a brilliant dancer. It’s a mix. There are plenty of parts that don’t require dancing. I think it’s more a confidence issue than anything.” 

With the 2025 awards now in the rear-view mirror, the society is already looking to the future. 

“The next step is picking our show for 2026,” Donna said. “We’ll be meeting soon to start that process.” 

While nothing has been confirmed yet, the team is committed to building on the momentum of this year’s success. 

“We’ve got a great group of people, a supportive community, and so much talent locally. This win will only encourage us to go even further,” said Donna.

In the meantime, the society is planning another celebration to mark its AIMS success - a well-earned occasion after a year of hard work, creativity, and national recognition.

As Mary Dempsey reflects on her award-winning performance, she’s quick to return the spotlight to the people around her. 

“It’s not just about me. It’s about everyone who stood beside me on that stage, backstage, and in the audience. I’m just honoured to be part of it.”