Due to popular demand, the hit musical On a Wing and a Prayer is making a very special return to the Royal Theatre, Castlebar , Co Mayo, in May.

 ‘Very special,’ because the dates mark the centenary of the birth of the extraordinary Monsignor James Horan , builder of Knock, who was born on May 5^th, 1911.

 The show will again be staged on Thursday, May 5^th, and Saturday, May 7^{th  and a large contingent is expected to travel from Britain for the shows. Another party is travelling from Boson.  The shows will mark  the birth of}  Monsignr Horan in a very memorable manner.

 Taoiseach Enda Kenny and other celebrities have been invited to attend what should be a memorable occasion.

 Again, proceeds from the shows will go to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice. The shows will also mark the launch of an exciting DVD on the life and times of Monsignor Horan. It has been shot on location in the region and features many of the songs from the musical. The DVD has been directed by Tommy Marren and features  many local landmarks, including Knock Shrine Basilica and Knock Airport. It will sell at 14.99 euro, again with proceeds in aid of the Hospice which has ambitious development plans.

 Given the adverse impact of  the economic downturn on Hospice fundraising and continuing HSE cutbacks on services the Palliative Care Teams are calling on the Foundation more and more to meet the increasing needs of patients and their families.  It is hoped proceeds from the musical will help alleviate that demand.

 Pat Jennings of the roomy Royal Theatre which can accommodate over 2,000 people, said the shows in November and January had set records for the speed with which tickets were snapped up and he is confident that the May shows, because of the centenary of Fr Horan’s birth, will again sell out.

 “We are delighted to be hosting On a Wing and a Prayer in The Royal Theatre again, the response to the show has been amazing, it has captured the imagination and the great memories people had of Monsignor Horan. We have had people from all over Ireland come to see the show, people who used to live in the area and have now moved to away to Dublin or elsewhere and people who served him at mass, everyone has their own memories of that time. 

 “The show is truly a testament to Terry Reilly for his writing and to Tommy Marren for making it come alive on stage and we are delighted to showcase it in our venue.

 “The response to this tour has been great again, those that saw the show are recommending it to their friends and well they should, its definitely a show not to be missed on this the anniversary of Monsignor Horan,” he said.

 *Now that we are back from Oz look out for more regular blogs on a wide variety of issues!