40 Years of Theatre

Galway Musical Society was founded in 1985. It started out as Renmore Musical Society but was renamed in order to reflect the involvement of people from the greater Galway area. Subsequently, the Society has attracted people from outside the city and county including the welcome participation of those from many other countries who have chosen Galway as their home.

Over the past 40 years the Society has produced 37 musicals in the Jesuit Hall, the Town Hall Theatre and the Black Box Theatre. These have included many well known hit musicals fresh off the stages of Broadway or the West End. One of the strengths of Galway Musical Society has been its ability to produce musicals from a broad genre of challenging Musical theatre, some of which were Irish premieres.

Being a proud member of the Association of Irish Musical Societies, our annual production participates in the adjudication process to determine the destination of nominations and awards in numerous categories each year. To date, our 37 productions have achieved 90 nominations and 30 awards including for ‘Best Overall Show’ for 2001’s Wonderful Town. Galway Musical Society has also taken part in the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera on a number of occasions, winning 8 awards.

Since its foundation the society has always fostered a culture of inclusion and enjoyment for its members and the many fundraising and social events held annually has helped to achieve this over the years. In what has been a difficult time for amateur musical theatre in Ireland, G.M.S. has survived many challenges and looks forward to a future whereby it will continue to provide an outlet for people who love to perform and also a high standard of entertainment to audiences from Galway and beyond.

Honorary Life Members

Len Wright (RIP), Paddy Daly, Tim Gleeson, Joe McCarthy, Ursula Owens, Brian Power, Joey Power, Leonard Power, Sean Power & Chontelle Kenny