Acting Up At Barretstown
 New Outdoor Children's Theatre Sets The Stage!

Barrestown will be a major recipient of support from the 2007 New York Dinner Gala. We are proud of our ongoing support of this project which was founded by Paul Newman and is the first ever Hole-in-The-Wall-Camp outside of the United States.

In conjunction with The American Ireland Fund, our National Board Director John Fitzpatrick visited the Camp this summer (2006) to see first-hand the impact of his gifts to Barretstown.    • People > John Fitzpatrick >

The theatre and activity area was designed to enhance and expand the creative expression module of Barretstown's programmes for children with cancer and other serious illnesses.

The Outdoor Children’s Theatre will be an integral part of the charity’s Drama Programme, which is designed to develop group communication skills, creative interpretation and self-confidence. The Drama Programme provides the children at Barretstown with an outlet to develop the ability to make connections to their lives through improvisational work, character specifics, space-awareness, and awareness of the other performers.

The Theatre will also be used to showcase the Music Programme which encourages children to have fun through musical exploration and self-expression. Through this programme children gain confidence, realise musical ability (perhaps for the first time), and may discover the desire to pursue music further. In a place where many of the campers lack a common language or cultural background, music transcends barriers and brings campers together.

The multi-purpose Outdoor Children’s Theatre, which is constructed close to the charity’s existing Theatre and Arts & Crafts Centre, is fully accessible with wheelchair facilities, safety flooring and three-tier theatre seating. It will be used for outdoor performances, evening campfire and an area for arts and crafts during the summer months.

The Fitzpatrick Memorial Fund has given continuing support to The Barretstown Camp including The Eithne and Paddy Fitzpatrick Cottage which was built in 2003 and is one of 13 cottages where young campers and their families stay at Barretstown.

“We are delighted to be able to provide Barretstown with this new outdoor theatre facility, and hope that thousands of children will enjoy it over the years,” John Fitzpatrick. “We are ongoing supporters of Barretstown, and the work that goes on here is amazing. We will continue to be part of its growth and hope that this Outdoor Theatre will see many fine and fun performances from this summer onwards."