Sir, – I was pleased to read Seamus Hosey's celebration of the life and work of Deirdre O'Connell (An Irishman’s Diary, October 7th),
I must, however, correct his assertion that she “mounted ambitious productions with no State funding or financial help”. When I became the Arts Council’s drama officer in 1985, I noted with satisfaction that her invaluable work in the Focus Theatre and in the Stanislavski Studio had been supported by the Arts Council for at least a decade previously.
It was always a delight to receive from Deirdre her handwritten grant applications, in which she meticulously set out the achievements of the previous year, in the Focus Theatre and the Stanislavski Studio, as well as her ambitions for the coming year.
When, during the 1990s, the Arts Council was able to increase the funding level to the Focus, the members urged that some of the increased funding be applied to supplement Deirdre’s income. The twinkle in her eye when I conveyed that to her left me in no doubt that the costume budget, or the design budget would also benefit.
Deirdre was one of that cohort of indomitable, visionary women who have graced the Irish theatre with their dreams, their determination, their leadership and their guidance, from Lady Gregory down to the present day, for the benefit of practitioners and audiences alike. Let us applaud them! – Yours, etc,
PHELIM DONLON
(Drama Officer 1985-2000)
St Augustine’s Park,
Blackrock, Co Dublin.