Siamsa, Ireland's National Folk Theatre, Performs at Boston's Shubert Theatre, October 4-9, 1976

Siamsa, an Irish cultural group from County Kerry, performed at Boston's Shubert Theatre for eight shows on October 4-9, 1976.

Also known as Ireland's National Folk Theatre, Siamsa was comprised of 28 cast members, ranging in age from 11 to 68, who performed a variety of Irish dances, including a dance with milk pails. The group also sang a variety of seasonal songs, work songs and love songs, all in Gaelic. The show focused on the rural aspects of Irish life.

Founder Fr. Pat Ahern described the show as "a very entertaining evening of songs and dances while also preserving the traditions, folklore and heritage of the people of Ireland."

The show was well received, according to the Eire Society Bulletin, which quoted glowing reviews in the Christian Science Monitor, Boston Globe, Boston Herald American, Quincy Patriot Ledger and The Boston Pilot.

Father Pat Ahern

Globe theater reporter Kevin Kelly called the show "an absolute charmer....you don't need a shamrock in your heart to appreciate it."

The Boston Pilot wrote, "Siamsa is an extraordinary show, warm and delightful to all the senses, and flawlessly acted, sung, directed and danced. Siamsa speaks a universal tongue that needs no translator."

Critics outside of Boston were not as generous. The Patterson News in New Jersey wrote, "...theater goers with less than a passionate love for Ireland will be disappointed by Siamsa. It is not a commercial production. It's a sentimental journey down memory lane for a limited audience."

The Poughkeepsie Journal, on the other hand, wrote, "The singing of Irish airs is all in Gaelic, but there's no difficulty understanding their sentimental and droll messages. The troupe (is) as genial a bunch as you could hope to find in a field of shamrocks."

Located in Tralee, County Kerry, Siamsa remains active today, with a full schedule of in-person and remote events and educational opportunities.

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