Liam Smith

At eighteen Liam joined the Naval Service and had a long and distinguished career.

He kept his association with dramaturgy but this time he had a much wider cast to choose from, the Irish Naval Service. Liam was stationed in Waterford and later in Dublin. A variety concert party formed in Haulbowline called The Naval Follies. It had its first concert in the dining hall in December 1956. It was a great success and went on to put 2 to 3 concerts on per year.

While Liam was in Waterford, he was involved in stage plays and started a school of acting. In Dublin he was presenting there at Drama Festivals with the Olivian Players.

Liam came back to Haulbowline sometime in late 1962 and in 1963 he wrote and produced his first play there, Up The Spout. Liam wanted these talented thespians taking part in the drama festivals around Ireland so they had to change the name to Haulbowline Theatre Group because he had to have players outside the Naval Service to take part in them.

From then until now, the group has gone from strength to strength with many awards from the national Drama Circuit.