Mayo musical society to stage The Clockmaker’s Daughter
BALLINROBE Musical Society will be bringing one of the most popular new musicals in Ireland to Mayo when they stage The Clockmaker’s Daughter next year.
Set in Ireland in 1895, the show has been staged by several amateur musical societies around the country, winning rave reviews and playing to sold-out audiences.
The Clockmaker’s Daughter is a fairytale about a master clockmaker who, heartbroken at the loss of his daughter, attempts to create a clockwork human.
When he unexpectedly succeeds, a story of romance, tragedy, love and loss takes place to the sound of a lively, folk-driven score, which features stand-out tracks like ‘Spindlewood,’ ‘Market Day’, ‘Raise A Glass’ and ‘A Story of My Own’.
The show is the work of composers Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn, who premiered the show in London in 2015. Since then, it has won 11 awards and seen several successful professional and amateur productions.
Several Irish musical societies have staged The Clockmaker’s Daughter, including Tralee Musical Society, who staged it again months later due to the success of their initial production.
Ballinrobe Musical Society will be just the second society in Connaught and the first society in Mayo to stage the show.
“This show has been a huge success anywhere it has been staged in Ireland, and we are absolutely delighted to be bringing it to Ballinrobe,” said Eimear McGovern, PRO of Ballinrobe Musical Society.
“We feel this is a show that will really suit Ballinrobe Musical Society, because it has loads of singing, plenty of drama, a stunning score and an absolutely gripping story.”
The society’s production team of Alan Greaney (director), Aoife McClafferty (choreographer), Shane Farrell (musical director) and Ken McCarthy (stage manager) return for their third successive show together.
Mr. Greaney will direct his fourth show with Ballinrobe Musical Society, while Mr. Farrell will undertake his third show as the society’s musical director.
Mr. McCarthy, a valued member of the society for almost 25 years, will act as stage manager for the tenth time.
Ms. McClafferty, who has choreographed every Ballinrobe show since 2007, fell ‘completely in love’ with The Clockmaker’s Daughter when she directed it with Marian Choral Society in Tuam in 2025.
“It takes audiences on an extraordinary emotional journey, bringing laughter, heartbreak, hope, and joy in equal measure. At its heart lies a message that feels more important than ever: we all long to belong, and our differences are not weaknesses but the very things that make us extraordinary,” she said.
“The music is simply stunning, with soaring melodies that remain with you long after you’ve left the theatre, while the energetic choreography and movement bring the story to life with vibrancy, warmth, and imagination.
“The Clockmaker’s Daughter is also the perfect fit for Ballinrobe. Much like the wonderful community, every character in this story has something unique to offer. Each brings their own strengths, flaws, dreams, and personality, proving that it is our differences that create something truly beautiful when we come together.
“This is a musical that celebrates kindness, acceptance, courage, and community. It reminds us to look beyond appearances, to embrace those around us, and to recognise that everyone has a story worth telling.”
Earlier this year, Ballinrobe Musical Society staged seven sold-out performances of Frozen: The Musical. The show won three nominations at the annual AIMS awards, with Rhea May Murphy winning the Outstanding Youth Performance award for her portrayal of Young Anna.
“We were absolutely thrilled to see our little queen Rhea May honoured at AIMS,” added Eimear McGovern.
“We were also delighted to see Ethan McNea nominated for Best Comedian and Lorna Dennehy nominated for their roles in Frozen: The Musical. We would also like to congratulate our friends in Claremorris Musical Society and Castlebar Musical and Dramatic Society for their success at AIMS. It was truly amazing to see the Mayo musical societies secure an unprecedented number of AIMS nominations.”
The Clockmaker’s Daughter will take place in Ballinrobe Community School from Sunday, March 28, to Saturday, April 3, 2027.
Auditions for principal roles will take place on November 29. Further details about auditions will be published on the Ballinrobe Musical Society’s social media pages.