There were celebrations in Killarney and south Mayo when it was announced that Ballinrobe Musical Society had scooped three major awards for the annual ‘Oscars’ of the Irish musical world.

This followed the sell-out run of Titanic – A New Musical in February, and over 60 members of the Society travelled to Killarney for the gala awards dinner.

Ballinrobe were nominated for six awards and there was unconfined delight when the nominations translated into three gongs – Best Programme, Best House Management, and Best Chorus.

Each year, the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) honours excellence in shows staged all over the country, and Ballinrobe Musical Society chairman Pat McGovern described the awards “as a real boost for everyone involved with the Society.”

He added: “We get huge support from people in so many ways, and these awards are for them. People who go on stage, help out behind the scenes, provide sponsorship, and hundreds of others who do little, almost un-noticed things to make our show happen every year.

“We are delighted with these awards, because Titanic The Musical was a huge undertaking for the Society.”

The Best Chorus award was a “massive vote of confidence in the entire Society, and our Director Peter Kennedy and Musical Director Noel Kirrane. It honours the acting and singing of the whole cast, and is regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the scheme,” said Mr McGovern.

“The show was sold out from the very first night, even though we extended the run by one night. The story of Titanic really captured the imagination.”

Another member of the Society – Michael Coen – won the Best Male Actor award for his depiction of Henry Higgins in the Patrician Musical Society, Galway, production of My Fair Lady.

Last year, Ballinrobe Musical Society also won the award for Best Programme. This year, they were also nominated nominated in the following categories:

Best Musical Director – Noel Kirrane; Best Chorus; Spirit of AIMS for Best Set; Best Front of House Management; Best Programme; and Best Male Singer (Sean Costello.)