More kind words for The Munster Society of Magicians

Tony Sadar writes ...

"It was with great sadness that I read of the Society of Munster Magicians and their demise as a formal society.  I have great memories of Margie and I working on their first convention in 1979 at The Savoy in Limerick. The national media coverage we got on the living burial was unbelivable and of course  who can forget Billy O'Leary and his upside down Houdini jacket escape over the river. Appearing on the gala show with the mayor of Limerick as a helper was a plus for margie and I.  Let me extend our best wishes to all the past members of the society in the furture of their magic.  Regards to all,  Tony and Margie Sadar."

Munster Society of Magicians cease to be a Formal Society

It is with a heavy heart I bring you the news that the Munster Society of Magicians have decided to cease to be a formal magic society.  You can read their statement on the matter below but before you do I just wish to thank, I am sure on behalf of all of you, the MSM for their massive contribution to magic in Ireland.  Their conventions were some of the best this country has seen.  We wish all thier members the very best going forward.

At our recent AGM (11th. March 2012) the Munster Society of Magicians unanimously adopted a proposal as follows:-

“That the MSM (Munster Society of Magicians) cease to be a ‘Formal’ Magic Society but continue to be an very active ‘Informal’ Magic Society. In essence this would mean that the MSM would continue to hold the title ‘Munster Society of Magicians’ but would not have a ‘formal’ Committee or Club Officers. The Society members would however meet on a regular monthly basis (on the 2nd. Monday of each Month) to share, practice and promote ‘Magic’ in all its forms as an entertainment medium”

We should acknowledge at this time of transition the incredible contribution & service that MSM (Munster Society of Magicians) has delivered since its formation over 34 years ago (1978). The MSM through its unselfish charitable work of performing Magic ‘free of charge’ has generated in excess of €100,000 for various Charities in the Limerick region. The MSM also convened & managed over 10 International Magic Conventions for the I.B.M. (International Brotherhood of Magicians) in Limerick over the past 30 years. This involved bringing over 100 top International Magic Performers such as:- :Hans Moretti ,Otto Wessely, Frances Willard and Glen Faulkenstein, PatPage, Terry Seabrooke, Laurent Beretta, Dough Alker, Ali Bongo, Barry Sinclair, Geoff Ray and Patricia, Paul Daniels and Debby McGee, Terry Herbert, Pat Fallon & Tanya, Pavel, Harry Blackstone(1994),Geofrey Durham, Paul Brignall, Duncan Trillo, Sonny Hayes & Co., Ward Allen, John Carney, Bert Garden, Jimmy Carlo & Crystal, Peter Marvey, Omar Pacha, Hennerberry's,  Alex  Elmsley,  and John  Derris and many more ‘Live’ on to the stages of Limerick (The Savoy, The Belltable, The University Concert Hall etc.) providing ‘never to be forgotten’ magical moments for the people of Limerick and its environs.

We also brought many ‘Magical’ Lecturers to Limerick including:- John Mendoza, Albert Goshman, Alan Shaxon, Bob Reid, Dan Garrett, Ken Brook, Joe Riding, Johnny Johnston, Jimmy Haviland, Art Emerson, Ali Bongo,Keith Bennett, J.Scott Berry, Mike Shelly, Roy Johnson, Barry Sinclair, Rovi, Philip Ivery, Rex Taylor, Pat Page, David & Daniel, Pavel, Geofrey Durham, Harry Blackstone, Paul Brignall, Kevin Reay, Juan Mayoral, Daryl, Trevor Lewis, Michael Amar, Lennart Green and Tony Griffiths, Pat Fallon, John Bord, Tyler Wilson etc.

Many of our founder members have been involved since our inception in 1978 and are still very active in Magic today. We have added many other dedicated Magicians over our history and have had in fact over 100 Members so far in our Society.

So as we change without fanfare from a ‘Formal’ to an ‘Informal’ Magical Society we celebrate our legacy, achievements & contributions to Magic over the past 34 years and we look forward to many, many years of enjoying, performing and promoting Magic on a less formal footing. We will continue to meet once per month and any former members are invited & are very welcome to attend these Magical sessions. We also continue to generate funds for Charitable Organisations by performing Magic on Stage, Nursing Homes, etc.

Finally, we would like to thank all other Magic Societies/Magicians in Ireland & overseas for their fantastic assistance over the past 34 years.

Yours forever in ‘Magic’,

Munster Society of Magicians.

Praise for the Irish at Southport

The recent IBM British Ring Convention im Southport saw both Aonghus McAnally and Pat Fallon performing.  they weren't the only Irish in attendance though as delegates travelled from aournd the country to attend.  The following message landed in our mail box recently form one of those attending, Paddy Ward. 

Would you kindly pass on the highest compliments through Irish Magic News from Vincent Finucane, Paul Egan, Frank Sheehan and myself to Pat Fallon and Aonghus Mc Annaly for there outstanding performance at the British Ring 25 Convention.  Pat is a great ambassador for Irish magic and a great friend.  He has performed with the worlds greatest in Limerick, with Blackstone/Daniels etc, and in Europe and the USA.  Well done again Pat we enjoyed your company at Southport. What can we say about Aonghus.  He was outstanding as the emcee.  He kept the show moving with his witty jokes and parody on drugs.  He only arrived the afternoon of the show, after appearing on his one man show the night before in Cork where he got a standing ovation from a packed house.  If you haven't seen his show make sure you don't miss it when it comes to your area.  He was a great success when he emcee'd our gala show in Limerick some years ago. So from the four of us to both of you, well done. Terence Andrews was sorry he could not make due to pending operation.  We all wish him well.  

Regards,

Paddy Ward
MSM

Munster Society of Magicians News

The AGM of the Munster Society of Magicians took place recently and  the new council comprises of Terence Andrews - President, Paddy Ward - Secretary, Paul Egan - Treasurer and Vincent Finucane PRO.  It was decided not to host IBM Ring 85 Convention in 2012.  Instead the MSM will hold a small two day convention around Halloween time 2012.

The next meeting of The MSM will take place next Monday 9th May from 8pm to 10pm in Millennium Hall next to Raheen Church, Limerick.  Paddy Ward will kick the night off with 30 minutes of magic to suit all tastes and promises it will be "easy to make, easy to learn and easy to perform".

Membership fees are also due - Adults €30, Juniors €15.

Munster Society of Magicians Raise over €3,500 for Charity

Thanks to Terrence Andrews who forwarded on the following review of a very worthy night...

The Munster Society of Magicians held a magic and variety show last Saturday night at the Mary Immaculate College Theatre. Prior to the show the audience were greeted by four pipers from the Limerick city pipe band. The magicians and performers gave of their time free of charge and all gave outstanding performances to a packed theatre, who in turn showed their appreciation with a standing ovation. The following acts performed on the night; the show was opened with Terence and Ruth Andrews dove act followed by the Great Padini who, as usual, had the children shouting from their seats. Padini was followed by a young harpist, Lorcan Russell who performs with the Irish Harp orchestra and he enthralled the audience with a beautiful selection of tunes (someone to watch for the future). Tom Moloney treated the audience with his hilarious comedy act that had both young and old howling with laughter. The second half was opened with Lisa Hogan's stage act which was a lovely and colourful act and as usual, professional performance by Lisa. Tony Hurley, suitably attired in his specially designed suit all the way from Hong Kong wowed the children with his special children's act. An outstanding and energetic performance by Keivn Prendergast, a world champion irish dance,r gave the audience something to cheer about. The closing act was Terence and Ruth Andrews again, performing two magical and professional illusions which wowed the audience and was most certainly a fantastic finish to an exceptional and entertaining show. Ger Godley was in fantastic form as our MC and Paul Egan kept everything running smoothly as always as our stage manager. Vincent Finucane of course was present on the night as house manager and spoke on behalf of the Munster Society of Magicians after the interval. €3.550 was raised on the night with all of the proceeds going to Headway (a brain injury charity). The committee from Headway, who were present on the night, thoroughly enjoyed the nights entertainment which was such a family event and were delighted with the money raised on behalf of their very worthy charity.

Update on Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 6:38PM by Brendan Byrne

Photographs of the MSM Charity Show are now available in our gallery.

Munster Society of Magicians Charity Show this Saturday

The Munster Society of Magicains are putting on a magic and variety show on Saturday 30th October 2010 in the Mary Immaculate College Theatre at 8pm featuring Terence and Ruth Andrews, The Great Padini, harpist Lorcan Russell, Lisa Hogan, Tom Moloney, Tony Hurley, Irish dancer Kevin Prendergast and Ger Godley.

A fantastic night of magic and variety is promised for all the family. All proceeds from the night are going to the charity Headway.

Munster Society of Magicians Season Kicks Back In

Paddy Ward was in touch to let us know that all is going well at the MSM with the following message.

Meetings of MSM re commenced Tues oct 14th.  President Seamus Tobin welcomed all, we had a good turn out he said the cub is well recognised and goes from strength to strength, Seamus informed the meeting we contributed in no small way in raising over 127k for Milford Hospice at there Harvest fair and he thanked all who performed the Talking Head illusion. Terence Andrews informed the meeting he had booked Mary I hall for a magiic show on sat 30th Oct all proceeds to go to a local charity to be announced.  The show will include Terence Andrews and Ruth, Padini, Peter Blackthorne, Tom Moloney, Ger Godley, Lisa Hogan, Vincent Finucane as well as singers and dancers.  Next meeting is Tuesday 12th October. A great night of magic followed.  Seamus thanked all who turned out and performed. Evening concluded.

It is great to see The Munster Society of Magicians raising so much for such good causes.  They can be contacted via there website here

As an aside we would love to receive reports like this from Societies about their club night.  I think it helps everyone stay informed and up to date on what is happening around the provinces.  This is always a good thing.

MSM AGM NEWS

The Munster Society of Magicians held their AGM on Monday 12th April and Secretary Terence Andrews wrote us to let us know and continued..."I  am pleased to report that we had a very good turnout.  We had a very positive meeting, where strong views were expressed as to how to reinforce the traditions of the club. A new committee was elected and it was proposed that they should be supported by the members in order for the club to continue to grow and flourish.  The new committee is as follows:  Chairman/President - Seamus Tobin.  Treasurer - Paul Egan.  Secretary - Terence Andrews."

Munster Society of magicians Lecture

The Munster Society of Magicians will host a lecture by Ali Cadabra next Monday 8th February at 8 30pm in The South Court Hotel, Limerick.  Ali Cadabra, from London, is a well known children's entertainer there and has previously lectures at the prestigious Kidology conference.

Pat Fallon lectured at the Munster Society of Magicians...

...on Monday 16th of November last and Nevin Cody was there to review it for IrishMagicNews... 

"I have been to many of Pats lectures over the years; I don’t think there has been one that I did not walk away with at least one great idea or piece of advice.  This week in Limerick was no different. It was a fantastic turn out with over twenty in attendance many I knew with some new faces too which is nice to see.  As I took my seat I knew a treat was in store, before me lay a table filled with colour and effects that I just could not wait to see.  How often do we really get to hear from a professional?  Have them share their thoughts and ideas and more important their experiences.  When at conventions, if I miss a lecture I believe you can tell if the lecture was good by the queue of enthusiastic magician’s egger to purchase the last of the notes & DVD’s on offer.  But the lecturer’s who I always want to see are the ones doing lots of business before they even start.  As I said, before me lay a colourful table with all the effects.  In fact there were two tables however the second was not visible as it was surrounded by eager and enthusiastic magicians making purchases who were soon to be a delighted audience once the evening was called to order. 

As expected there was many effects with lots of ideas and some of the old favourites with interesting new twists, each and every one a tried and tested worker.  For a long time I overlooked many of these ideas & effects and I believe anyone who disregards these offerings have not been out working with lay audiences...... you need those workers.

The evening for me was also about the effects and how we used them, how we structure routines and how we need to think outside the box.  Pat spoke about the journey “it is the journey not the trick”, what are you trying to deliver and why?  Is there a way to put in a twist and use an old principle in a new way to help you with your journey? Pats love of envelopes and effects with them was evident and he demonstrated several different routines using a similar methods.     

All in all it was a fantastic evening.  Speaking to many afterwards they all had a great night. The table was surrounded again after the lecture and it was the first lecture in a long time I saw in Limerick that had so many hanging back for a chat after.  What a great night!"

© Nevin Cody 2009

Pat Fallon to lecture at The Munster Society of Magicians

The Munster Society of Magicians will host a lecture by Pat Fallon on Monday the 16th of November at 8.30 pm in the South court Hotel, Limerick.  It is over 8 years since Pat last lectured in Limerick and since then he has released a DVD, appeared at numerous high profile conventions and continues to perform at home and abroad to rave reviews.  Professional, commercial routines from a real worker are hard to come by.  Jump on this chance to learn from Ireland's most successful all round magician.

Tyler Wilson to lecture in Dublin & Limerick

Canadian magician Tyler Wilson will lecture at The Mystic Society of Magicians this September.  Tyler Wilson is a close-up magician and stand-up comedian from Alberta, Canada who is quickly becoming known for his creative plot lines, methodology, and presentations.  The lecture takes place at the North Star Hotel, Amien St, Dublin1 on Tuesday 15th September at 8pm.  Admission for non-members is €10.  Tyler also lectures at the MSM - Limerick on Monday 14th September.