03Apr 2026
- Catherine Farrell - PRO
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106
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Heartiest congratulations to our magnificent cohort of TY students who, for the third year running, brought a packed audience to St. Nathy’s Hall. After two previous sold-out years of musicals, it is true to say that the cast were certainly feeling the pressure! But pressure is for tyres and our TY students left no stone unturned to give it their very best! In true St. Nathy’s spirit, they rose to the challenge and delivered a magnificent performance, as shown by three sold-out nights! From set construction, artistry, dance, and sheer performance, each and every student did the college proud.
“Billie”, an original TY musical by Peter McLoughlin, is a powerful, heart-lifting musical set in Doncaster, Yorkshire during the 1984–85 Miners’ Strike. The story is a mixture of humour, heartbreak, grit, and hope as it explores a wide network of intertwined lives. At its core, “Billie” is a celebration of courage, community, and the fight to break free from the limits inherited by family, class, and circumstance. The Rock Miners’ Club is the beating heart of the town, and the community suffers deeply under Thatcher’s policies. Indeed, Maggie Thatcher is brought vividly to life by Saorliath Dillon, who faces searching questions from reporter John Lawley (Bryon Groarke).
The musical boldly challenges outdated expectations, such as women belonging in the home and education not being a necessity, people who are different not belonging, and dancing not being a career but “an hobby”. “Grandma’s Song” is a reflection on an old woman’s life and lost dreams, which was performed so brilliantly every night to huge acclaim by Zoe McDonagh, who also gave an amazing performance on Midwest Radio. Even presenter Tommy Marren said that when he initially saw the length of the song, he was “worried,” but at the end of it all he could say was “Wow!” Zoe captivated Roscommon, Mayo, and Sligo! Well done, Zoe, and a huge thanks to Midwest Radio.
This musical follows Billie Elliot (Ivy O’Connor), a young girl whose emerging gift for dance becomes a lifeline not only for herself but for her struggling community. The Elliot family, shaken by the death of Billie’s mother (Leah O’Connor), faces grief, financial pressure, and buried trauma. Jackie Elliot (Anthony Murphy), Billie’s father, struggles between tradition and love for his children, while his mother, Grandma Peg (Zoe McDonagh), becomes the keeper of truth, eventually revealing her own past with an abusive husband (Aaron Cox) and a lost dream of dancing. Parental love shines in many forms: Jenny’s final letter guides Billie years after her death; Jackie moves from fear and anger to wholehearted support for his daughter’s dream; Grandma’s fierce love shapes the family’s courage. Billie’s journey, however, triggers the family’s healing, showing how love can confront patterns of silence, fear, and expectation.
The Michael Byrne (Oisin Waldron) subplot highlights the pain of growing up “different” in a rigid, masculine mining culture. Abused by his bullying father Mick Burns (Tom Creaton / Michael McTeigue) and pushed into boxing to “prove he is a man,” Michael is terrified to admit who he really is. His world shifts, however, when his mother Ivy (Jessica Smith) finally finds the courage to leave her abusive husband, and Michael’s brother Joe (Senan Flanagan) goes with her. Once free from Mick’s control, both Ivy and Joe reassure Michael that it’s not only safe to be different, but that he deserves to live as himself. With their support, Michael can finally imagine a future beyond Doncaster. When the audience later learns that he grows up to become a successful makeup artist for the BBC, there is loud and heartfelt applause for the lad who, like Billie, dares to have the courage to be himself.
Billie and Michael’s friendship is truly the emotional centre of the story. Their loyalty protects each other from loneliness, fear, and judgment. Romance features in the relationship between Tony Elliot (Ethan Hurl) and Eileen (Aimee Fox Lunt). They survive the conflict caused by the strike to rebuild a tender, balanced relationship. Rose Watkins, the dance teacher (Ava Dooney), who believes in Billie, finds herself falling in love with policeman Denis Wilson (Patrick Sharkey), bridging social divides—a dance teacher and a policeman standing together through the strike. These romances bring humour, grounding, and emotional light to the narrative. Who can forget the love story between Leo (Cian Gallagher) and Ava (Rebecca Brett), and Joe Burns and Glenda (Grace Henry), who stand by their men, supporting them through the strike and encouraging them to perform a “Hot Stuff” dance to raise money for the striking miners. Let’s just say that our striking miners took their roles very seriously! It not only entertained the miners’ wives, but it also gave great amusement to the audience in Ballaghaderreen. Bulging biceps and tanned torsos were certainly the order of the day!
The theme of class prejudice and class struggle is evident at Billie’s audition in London, where she faces snobbery from wealthy girls (Edith Curtis, Lily Purcell), who mock her accent and background. The script exposes how class divides shape opportunity, confidence, and belonging, and how talent can break those barriers. This was illustrated in the Royal School judges (Conor Hunt, Noah Gill, Molloy Morrisroe), who interviewed Billie about her desire to join the Royal School. The emotional intensity of this was seen every night when the audience burst into applause once Billie was told that she had earned a scholarship at the Royal School.
As the final curtain draws, we see Billie earn a scholarship to the Royal School of Performing Arts. Michael begins a new life free from violence. Tony and Eileen start over in London. Grandma’s long-hidden savings fund Billie’s future. The Elliot family, along with the entire town of Doncaster, steps into a new era of healing, growth, and hope.
The TY Class of 2026 didn’t just perform a musical— they honoured a story of resilience, identity, and hope, or in other words, faith, hope, and glory. They lived the words “Ther’s a road you will only ever find if you dare”. Mentioning music, who can forget the passionate performance of Mr. Cotter’s choir, some of whom will grace the stage in the future as stars in their own right! Yes, the choir raised the roof of the PE hall, donned in their new ‘Billie’ T‑shirts made by the very talented Brian Lowry from BLA (https://brianlowryart.sumupstore.com/).
For now, the curtains are closed, the set lies deserted, the cast have taken their final curtain call, but there is no doubt that the experience of “Billie” will linger long in our minds! So, to all you Transition Year students of the future, no pressure!!!
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