On a summer's evening in the year 1950, a young curate was taking a stroll in the grounds of the Ursuline Convent, Thurles when a nun, whose name was snyonymous with music, the late Mother Teresa, approached him, Great was his astonishment at her suggestion that he would undertake the revival of the culture of the Cathedral Town by founding a Musical Society.

Such a tremendous undertaking required accuracy of insight and calm courage. Fr William Noonan possessed both in abundance. Discreet enquiries led him to Mr St John Glynn, who had long associations with Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society and then to the Butler family in Croke Street, where the first meeting was held. At this meeting were: David Butler, Mai Noonan, Fergus Ryan, Mrs B Dwan, Mr Glynn, Martin T Butler , Father William Noonan and Frank McNamara. This led to an enthusiastic public meeting in the Confraternity Hall, where the following committee were elected:- President Rev W Noonan; Hon. Secretary, Mr M.T Butler; Hon Treasurer, Mr J O'Shea; Committee:- Mrs B Dwan, Miss Mai Noonan, Messrs D Butler, H St. J Glynn, PJ Hickey, F McNamara and F Ryan.

The Society's first production was Gilbert and Sullivan's best loved and perhaps most difficult, The Yoeman of the Guard which was produced by Mr Glynn, who produced in all, five Gilbert and Sullivan operas in subsequent years. What an abundance of musical talent was to unfold. No less than five members of the Dwan family graced the stage with the lovely Rita playing the leading role.

The ensuing years were a series of Musical triumphs for Rita, her beautiful voice thrilled audiences not alone in Thurles but also in Roscrea, Fermoy and Tralee where she was awarded the trophy for Best Female Voice in the Festival Of Light Opera. At the festival the Choral Award was won by Thurles Musical Society's The Gypsy Baron. Rita Dwan's brother Denis shared the lead in the first production with another well known and well loved tenor, Willie Moroney. Mrs Bridie O'Sullivan, Olive Kennedy, Nancy Nearman, Joe Ryan, Sidney Collier, Willie O'Dwyer, Jack O'Connell, Tom Mason, Conor Russell, Jim Lambe, Michael Maher and Peg Hyland all had parts in that first show.

Mai Noonan (Skehan) was Chorus Mistress and Mr Bobby O'Connell was conductor. Included in the orchestra were PJ Hickey and Vasco O'Donnell. Father Noonan continued as President for fourteen years and thanks to his unstinting devotion the society went from strenght to strength.

AIMS was formed in 1965 and provides an invaluable service to musical societies in the thirty two counties of Ireland. Some of the services which AIMS provide include a library service, workshops on a regional basis, an information centre, a choral festival and of course the annual awards scheme. Thurles has also played host to the Youth Musical Theatre Workshop which is now becoming an annual event in the AIMS calendar. .It is also one of the most successful ventures undertaken by AIMS and it is great to see the youth of the country being coached and tutored in the best possible way.

AIMS are still endeavouring to have musical theatre recognised by the Arts Council in the Republic. So far they have failed in their attempts and are losing out in much needed funding as a result. Societies in Northern Ireland are recognised by their Arts Council and the hope is that the same will be true of the Republic in the not too distant future. With the cost of shows increasing all the time, any form of assistance would be welcomed with open arms by societies throughout the country.

2002 saw our very own Chairperson Mary Butler retire as the National President of the Association of Irish Musical Societies after a very distinguished term of office. But, Mary is now back as National Secretary - a role she pursues with a great degree of thoroughness and professionalism.
Mary served as President of AIMS and was responsible for organising the seminars and awards evening is Killarney for the past number of years and she had visited practically every society in the country to see their shows and to meet the members. Thurles Musical Society is extremely proud of the fact that Mary was our first ever National President and Secretary - and a very popular and hard working member she is too. She succeeded in putting Thurles Musical Society on the map at this level and continues to do so.

Noel Dundon has been the National Programme Adjudictor for 2008 and 2009 for the annual AIMS Awards.