Arts and Theatre

Leo Powell has had a lifelong interest in every aspect of the worlds of literature, music and the arts.

An avid reader, with an extensive library, his love of the theatre was inspired by his English teacher at the Patrician Academy, Mallow, and he joined the local Pilgrim Players, the highlight of which was being a cast member in the award-winning The Playboy of the Western World, an acclaimed work by Irish playwright, John Millington Synge.

Today, Powell enjoys going to the theatre, cinema (especially the Irish Film Institute and the Lighthouse in Dublin), music events (especially the National Concert Hall), and exhibitions.

His love for all forms of the arts has also inspired Powell to become the theatre and arts correspondent for Irish Country Living in the Irish Farmers Journal, one of Ireland’s best known, and most widely-read, publications, with more than 370,000 weekly readers. 

The column, appropriately named Front Row, allows Powell to review exhibitions and stage performances throughout Ireland, and occasionally will have recommendations for events further afield.

Powell is a director of the dlr Mill Theatre in Dundrum, Dublin, a role he has accepted as he hopes to help encourage emerging talent in the fields of theatre and art. Since opening in May 2006, the theatre has staged a wide variety of performing arts, community theatre, visual art, comedy, music, and children’s shows.

The venue presents over 400 productions every year, welcoming audiences from all over Ireland and the local community.