Happy 50th Birthday to The Montfort College of Performing Arts

August 2012 – This year the Montfort College of Performing Arts celebrates a momentous 50 years being one of Ireland’s most prestigious and credible training grounds for young talent for children aged 3 years of age upwards under the watchful and discerning eyes of its founder Eileen Nolan.

The college is looking forward to the future and is determined to continue delivering its high quality programme of classes to the people of Cork city and county. Eileen Nolan, its founder and director, has sought to further strengthen the college’s reputation and standards and so, is delighted to welcome on board a new partner and director to the school this year, Mr. Trevor Ryan – quite the appropriate gift for such a land mark birthday!

Trevor is resolute in his objectives for the college and so joins the rest of the team in their dedication to developing a strong programme of performance skills in dance, drama, singing, musical theatre and film as well as having fun and building self-confidence in an exciting, creative and nurturing environment.

Eileen has worked tirelessly over the last 50 years having taught tens of thousands of students, including Trevor, throughout her tenure as head of the college, and is determined to continue to teach and deliver a highly competitive programme of classes to the children of Cork city and county. 

A long time Cork based performer, Trevor Ryan began his performing career with The Montforts at the tender age of 12 and has since performed nationally on many of Ireland’s most prestigious stages in theatre, panto and musical theatre. As part of his vision for The Montfort College, Trevor will seek to expand the college’s programme while also teaching throughout the term. He will also direct their production of Disney’s Camp Rock in October in addition to Neil Simon’s Lost In Yonkers for the Cork Repertory Company in September.

Trevor’s first show was in the children’s chorus of I Pagliacci back in 1984! Since then he has been involved in over 80 productions and is an award winning actor, director and producer. His favourite genre is pantomime and has taken leading roles in a gargantuan 18 pantos to date, most recently seen as one of the Ugly Sisters in the critically acclaimed Cinderella and in the role of Max in The Sound Of Music both at Cork Opera House.  

After its 50 long years in the business the Montfort College of Performing Arts is renowned as the most established college in the city and county delivering some of the most talented of performers into the entertainment business on a national and international basis. The level of graduates from the college working in the arts today is unrivalled anywhere in the country. Past pupils include; Michael McCarthy, Les Misérables, Broadway & West End, Alf McCarthy, RTÉ, Mary Kingston, RTÉ, Marion Wyatt, Director, Lecturer & Actor, Catherine Mahon-Buckley, Teacher, Director & Actor, Damien Delaney, Billy Elliott & Cats, West End, Elaine Symons, Waterloo Road & Holby City, Michael Sands, Les Misérables & Fiddler on the Roof, West End and Frank Twomey, Bosco & Santa Ponsa Trilogy to name but a few.

When families choose Montfort College they are joining something special – an affiliation and friendship that its team of dedicated directors and teachers hope will last many years, providing a solid base on which any child will thrive. After 50 years in the business, it is with this in mind that the people of Cork city and county can look forward to another 50 years and even more of a quality service which can enrich each and every child in our community.

The Montforts run classes in Cobh every Friday from mid- September. For more information on classes and registration visit the website www.montfortcollege.com or contact the office on 021 4501412 or call 087 2472423 or email: montfortcollege@iol.ie