The Breda Casserly Modelling Agency launches at Cloonacauneen Castle in Galway.
Cloonacauneen Castle Galway, once home to the Browne family, one of the 14 tribes of Galway, is the setting for the launch of the Breda Casserly Modelling Agency.
Breda Casserly, a former Miss Galway and promotions officers with Shannon Castle Tours is the driving force behind the new agency. She established the modelling agency to fill a gap in the market.
The west of Ireland has never had a modelling agency before and I think we owe it to the west and the young people of the west that we can provide our own models for the fashion shops in the west, that the models are available to them for their fashion shows.
To date, 31 women have undertaken preliminary training with the new co-operative style agency and they believe it has an important role to play in opening up careers for those interested in careers in high fashion. It also provides an outlet for women who wish to stay in Galway and model on a part-time basis.
Model Audrey Carr is delighted she can train to be a model without moving to Dublin.
It’s really great that it’s happening here...it's really about time, we’re all so enthusiastic about it, going to make a good go of it.
Model Olga Lenihan believes agency ensures a bright future at home and internationally, for aspirant models living in the west of Ireland.
We've laid the groundwork here.
The models are now hoping to get the majority of photographic and modelling work in the west and their work will promote clothes designed in the region, particularly those made in Gaeltacht areas.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 22 March 1983. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
