Kilkenny's Barnstorm Theatre company was set up with the aim of challenging the perception that theatre is for a small elite in society - and its flourishing.
The intention, says artistic director and founder, Mr Philip Hardy, is to serve people who do not have a tradition of going to the theatre, including children and young people.
Many of those who contributed to the success of the venture over the past decade gathered in Kilkenny last night for a celebration of its achievements to date.
A packed programme for the next 12 months was also launched.
Fair City's SΘamus Power, who plays Dermot in the RT╔ soap, attended the launch.
He and fellow Fair City stars Joan Brosnan-Walsh (Mags) and Aisling O'Neill (Carol) have all played with Barnstorm in the past.
One of the things that makes Barnstorm different, says the administrator, Ms Sally Harris, who joined the company a year ago, is the way it has involved entire local communities in its productions.
Three years ago writer Ken Bourke went to Castlecomer to meet local people and research the town's mining tradition and other aspects of its history.
The resulting play, The 'Comer Story, featured members of the local community in its cast. There are plans for a similar project in another community, yet to be identified.
Children's theatre is another major element of the Barnstorm Theatre's work and its latest production, The Elves & The Shoemakers, opens in the intimate surroundings of the Shoemaker's Shop, built in the company's studio theatre in Church Lane, Kilkenny, next Monday, November 26th.
The play is for children aged six and under and twice-daily performances run until December 14th.
The company has also launched a new-look website at www.barnstorm.ie