Council reception recognises legacy and spirit of Omagh Players

CHAIR of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Barry McElduff, hosted a reception on Thursday, October 9 at the Grange Council Offices, to recognise the legacy and spirit of Omagh Players.

Speaking at the event, Chair of the Council, Councillor Barry McElduff, said: “As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to join you all here this evening in the Grange Council Offices, Omagh as we come together to celebrate the remarkable legacy and enduring spirit of the Omagh Players.

Founded in 1934 by F.J. Nugent, the Omagh Players began as a modest group, who, probably without realising it, were laying the foundations for nearly a century of creativity and community through the arts. Early successes, including original works by Louis D. Lynch and a Longford Cup win for “A Saint in a Hurry”, quickly established their reputation. Through the decades, the Players endured times of change and challenge. However, they always managed to return to the stage with renewed purpose.

In 1950, the Omagh Players yet again displayed their innovative nature by reviving pantomime in the town. This was the first production of its kind in years and sparked a long list of similar events in the years that followed. The Players continued to firmly root themselves in the cultural life of the community, which continued throughout the 1960s and 70s.

The 1980s and 90s saw continued success, with acclaimed productions like ‘’One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’’, “All in Favour Say No”, “Da”, “I Do Not Like Thee Dr Fell” and “The Factory Girls”. Despite challenges in the early 2000s, the Players found a permanent base with the opening of the Strule Arts Centre in 2006.

Your 75th anniversary in 2009 was a celebration of continuity and renewal, and in the years that followed, they welcomed new members, new genres and new ways of connecting with audiences.

In 2024, they returned triumphantly to the stage of the Strule Arts Centre with “The Field”, bridging generations and proving once again that the appetite for local drama is continuing to flourish.

Throughout your journey, the Omagh Players have honoured the memory of those who came before while encouraging the next generation. Their story is a reflection of the power performance has to unite and inspire.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to supporting access to the arts, culture and heritage in the district for residents and visitors. It is groups like the Omagh Players which help us to fulfil this commitment. They not only deliver high-quality productions, but also provide a valuable platform for local people to engage with drama and creative expression.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to offer my commendations to everyone both past and present whose passion, commitment and talent have made the Omagh Players the outstanding company it is today. As we look to the future, we do so with appreciation for the past and excitement for what lies ahead.”