The 2024 South Wicklow Drama Festival took place from Friday 15th – Saturday 23rd March (excluding Sunday 17th March) in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew.
We were delighted to have our 2024 Festival launched by Ettie Kilbride at our Launch Night in Jim Byrne’s on Thursday 22nd February.
Liam Hannaway, Chairman of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland, officially opened the festival on Friday 15th March. Liam is a good friend to South Wicklow Drama Festival having brought many productions to Carnew with his own drama group, the Lislea Dramatic Players. We were honoured to welcome Liam in his capacity as Chairman of the ADCI.
We were delighted to welcome Imelda McDonagh as our 2024 adjudicator. Imelda is the President of the Association of Adjudicators (ADA).
Confined Section
1st – Kilrush Drama Group – ‘Hooked!’
2nd – The Clodiagh Players – ‘Trad’
3rd – Kilmuckridge Drama Group – ‘I Do Not Like Thee Dr, Fell’
Open Section
1st – Ballycogley Players – ‘Out of Order’
2nd – Bridge Drama – ‘The Wake’
3rd – Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group – ‘The Lonesome West’
Confined Section:
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Eddie Condon as Fr. Rice in ‘Trad’, Clodiagh Players
Best Actor in a Major Role – John Redmond, in ‘Hooked!’, Kilrush
Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Kay Cahill as Mary in ‘Hooked!’, Kilrush
Best Actress in a Major Role – Erin Hogan as Lydia, in ‘Hooked!’, Kilrush
Best Director – Niall McGrath – ‘Hooked’, Kilrush
Open Section:
Best Supporting Actress – Catherine Stafford as Pamela Willey in ‘Out of Order’, Ballycogley
Best Supporting Actor – Ken Murphy as Finbar in ‘The Wake’, Bridge
Best Actress – Mairéad Ryan as Vera in ‘The Wake’, Bridge
Best Actor – Fr. Pat Mernagh as Richard Willey in ‘Out of Order’, Ballycogley
Best Director – Pat Whelan – ‘Out of Order’, Ballycogley
Adjudicator Award 1 – Tom Kennedy & Kris Mooney, for lighting design, Balally
Adjudicator Award 2 – Joseph Sunderland, Bridge
Adjudicator Award 3 – Mag Clooney for window work, Ballycogley
Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Sean Carthy as George in ‘Out of Order’, Ballycogley
Magic Moment in Theatre (Pat Connaughton Award) – The fight scenes in ‘The Lonesome West’, Bunclody-Kilmyshall
Audience Cup (Altura Credit Union Award) – ‘Out of Order’ – Ballycogley Players
Best Presentation – ‘The Wake’ by Bridge Drama
Imelda McDonagh is a multi-award-winning director and actress with a first-class honours M.A. in Theatre Studies. She is a qualified Make-Up Artist and holds a Licentiate in Speech and Drama from the London College of Music.
A lifetime of performance has led to the creation of some of her favourite roles, including Lady Bracknell in Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest, Blanche in William’s A Streetcar named Desire, Stephanie in Kempinski’s Duet for One, Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Kate in Miller’s All My Sons, as well as the monologue plays: Baglady by Frank McGuinness, Jennifer Johnston’s Christine and Dermot Bolger’s The Holy Ground. Also at home in the world of musical theatre, Imelda has won the coveted Association of Irish Musical Societies’ award (AIMS) for Best Director with her production of Kiss Me Kate and was nominated as Best Director for the amateur premiere of The Ha’penny Bridge and Michael Collins, a Musical Drama, winning the AIMS overall award for Best Show from a field of over fifty productions. She is currently directing The Producers for Enniscorthy Musical Society.
Currently President of the Association of Drama Adjudicators, Imelda has enjoyed adjudicating since 2001, including the Finals for Macra na Feirme and the ICA. Since she took early retirement form her career as a secondary teacher of English and Drama in 2012, she has enjoyed the freedom to travel throughout Ireland to adjudicate in every province. In 2017, she adjudicated the Confined Drama Finals in Tubercurry and, in 2018, the One-Act Finals in Kilmuckridge and, in 2019, the All-Ireland Drama Finals in Athlone. She is looking forward to adjudicating the UK One Act Finals in 2023.
Imelda has also been awarded The Civic Merit Award for her services to the community by President Michael D. Higgins.
The 2019 South Wicklow Drama Festival was officially opened by Imelda MacDonagh and the adjudicator was Ailbhe Garvey Hughes.
The Winners of the 2019 South Wicklow Drama Festival:
1st – Skibbereen Theatre Society, The Beauty Queen of Leenane
2nd – Kilmuckridge Drama Group, The Righteous are Bold
3rd – Tinahely Drama Group, Eclipsed
1st – Bridge Drama, Brighton Beach Memoirs
2nd – Kilrush Drama Group, The Steward of Christendom
3rd – Wexford Drama Group, Rabbit Hole
Best Supporting Actress – Tara Murphy, Tinahely
Best Supporting Actor – Barry Turner, Kilmuckridge
Best Actress -Hannah McNiven, Kilmuckridge
Best Actor – Aidan McParland, Lislea
Best Director – Ger Minihane, Skibbereen
Best Supporting Actress – Danielle Reck, Wexford
Best Supporting Actor – Billy Canning, Bunclody-Kilmyshall
Best Actress – Mairéad Cummings, Bridge
Best Actor – Michael Dunbar, Kilrush
Best Director – Pat Whelan, Bridge
Adjudicator Award 1 – For a moment of real theatre, Skibbereen Theatre Society for the pouring of boiling oil.
Adjudicator Award 2 – Gorey Little Theatre Group for seamless transitions from past to present.
Adjudicator Award 3 – Kilrush Drama Group for their lighting and soundscape.
Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Tara Murphy, Tinahely
Magic Moment in Theatre (Pat Connaughton Award) – Niall Kehoe’s haunting but glorious singing as Willie, Kilrush Drama Group.
Audience Cup (Altura Credit Union Award) – Bunclody- Kilmyshall Drama Group, Moonglow
Best Presentation – Kilrush Drama Group, The Steward of Christendom
Geoff O’Keeffe is a theatre director, actor and drama adjudicator. His recent credits include The Twits, Fantastic Mr Fox, James And The Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, King Lear, Othello and Macbeth. Yasmina Reza’s God Of Carnage, Tennessee William’s Talk To Me Like The Rain And Let Me Listen, Frank Pig Says Hello by Pat McCabe and Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for Mill Productions at The Mill Theatre, Dundrum. He has also written and directed nine highly successful Christmas shows for young audiences. Other work as a director includes Cock for Blue Heart Theatre Company (The New Theatre), The Astonished Heart for Behind The Moon Productions (Players Theatre), At The Black Pig’s Dyke for Cavan Culture Theatre Project and Lost Weekend for Gillian Grattan | Evil Little Genius Productions (Axis Theatre)
Personal highlights as an actor include, Mahon in The Playboy Of The Western World, Paul in My Second Self for No Tears Productions; David/Divina in Aul’ Divina and Me/I for Biscuits for Breakfast Theatre Company; James in Dinner for One for Offaly Drama Project; Mikey in The Highest House on the Mountain for Tavistock Arts Theatre Company at Smock Alley Theatre; Ms. Kitty in Billy Redden for IYT at The International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival, 2010, where he received the Micheál Mac Liammóir Award for Best Male Actor.
He has facilitated workshops for drama groups all over the country and has been in great demand as an adjudicator. He adjudicated the All Ireland One Act Finals in 2013, The All Ireland Confined Drama Finals in 2014 and the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival, Athlone, 2017. Geoff is a member of The Association of Drama Adjudicators. He holds an MA in Theatre Studies from DCU.
South Wicklow Drama Festival are delighted to announce that for the first time in its history, The All Ireland Confined Drama Finals under the auspices of the ADCI will be held in County Wicklow. The venue for the Festival will be St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew and the Festival will run from 13th – 21st April, 2018.
An exciting and busy time lies ahead for the South Wicklow Drama Festival committee in planning possibly one of the most exciting events to take place in the County for many years. It heralds a real opportunity for Carnew and the County to showcase everything that is good in the area.
This exciting opportunity has been met with great approval by the committee, business people, community groups and many theatre lovers in the area.
The Adjudicator for the 2018 All Ireland will be Tom Byrne. A native of Celbridge, Co. Kildare, Tom had over thirty years involvement with amateur drama. He is best known for his work with Bradán Playes, Leixlip of which he was founder and artistic director. He is a much sought after Director and the committee look forward to working with him in April.
The All Ireland Finals Confined Drama Finals rotate from Province to Province and this is the first time that a venue in County Wicklow will have the privilege of hosting the Finals. This event will bring some of the best amateur productions from across the country to Carnew, all competing for the much coveted ‘Claregalway’ Trophy. This award was last in the area when it was won by Kilrush Drama Group with their production of Billy Roche’s Poor Beast in the Rain in 2015.
ACDI All Ireland Confined Table
The 2018 Festival Circuit came to a close on Sunday 26th March and we would like to congratulate the 9 All Ireland Confined Drama Finalists who will visit Carnew between 13th – 21st April. The draw to find out what night each group will perform will take place on Saturday 31st March and the line up will be announced that evening.
“Antigone” is based Sophocles Greek tragedy of the same name. This version written by the great French writer Jean Anouilh in 1944 is a more modern telling of the Greek classic.
The young, slender, 17 year old Antigone is representative of the modern day freedom fighter as she resolutely deifies a solemn edict declared by her uncle King Creon, to the point of being put to death.
“Antigone” is an outstanding example of Anouilh’s unerring technical skill. It is a permanent landmark in 20th century French theatre and is regularly performed and studied around the world.
Directed By | Michael Byrne |
Stage Manager | Ger Byrne assisted by Roy Douglas & Brendan Hayden |
Sound | Paddy Byrne & Dougie Doyle |
Lighting | Kevin McEvoy |
Make-up | Hannah O’Sullivan |
Costumes | Phil O’Loughlin |
The members of Kilrush Drama Group present “The Cripple of Inis Maan”. This outrageous comedy was set on the Island of Inis Maan in 1934 during the making of the film, “The Man of Aran”. Milking the play for every ounce of comedy is Director Mick Byrne backed up by a talented cast. Aunts Eileen and Kate are being played by Anne Sheridan and Cathy Tighe, while Maurice Ruth plays the role of Johnnypateenmike. Young performers, Evan May, Alan O’Neill and Ellie Condren, take on the roles of Cripple Billy, Bartlay and Slippy Helen respectively, while Joe Sinnott and Owen Doyle play Babbybobby and Dr. McSharry, and Josephine Byrne plays “Mammy”.
Davy Donohoe takes on the onerous task of Stage Manager for this year’s production.
The first performances of this production can be seen in “St. Brigid’s Hall” Carnew, on Friday the 15th of February and Sunday the 17th. The group will then travel North and South with their production to Festivals on the Drama Circuit.
Film Editor | Tom Byrne |
Lighting | Kevin McEvoy & Thomas Cahill |
Sound | Paddy Byrne & Dougie Doyle |
Props / Set Painting | Maeve Hunter |
Make-up | Lorna Doran |
Hair Stylist | Phil O’Loughlin |
Costumes | Jacinta Kavanagh |
Stage Crew | Tommy Kavanagh, Roy Douglas, Ger Byrne, Brendan Hayden, Billy Molloy |
On Raftery’s Hill is a strong drama about a dysfunctional family in the midlands. Another generation struggles to escape the cycle of depravity and the rancid atmosphere of Raftery’s Hill.
Marina Carr unmasks a world “so horrible it has to be true”.
Red Raftery | Michael Dunbar |
Sorrell Raftery | Ellie Condren |
Ded Raftery | Joe Sinnott |
Dinah Raftery | Cathy Tighe |
Shalome Raftery | Anne Sheridan |
Isaac Dunne | P.J. Arthur |
Dara Mood | Tom Darcy |
Directed by | Michael Byrne |
Set Construction | Lar Duffy, Ger Byrne and Martin Breen |
Set Decor | Maeve Hunter |
Set Design | Lar Duffy |
Lighting | Kevin McEvoy & Michael Kelly |
Sound | Dougie Doyle |
Make-up | Lorna Doran |
Hair Stylist | Marian O ‘ Toole |
Costumes | Jacinta Kavanagh |
Stage Crew | Tommy Kavanagh, Roy Douglas, Ger Byrne, Brendan Hayden, Billy Molloy and Maurice Ruth. |
Music | Colm O Tiarnaigh |
Kilrush Drama Group performed The Playboy of the Western World at Kilmuckridge, Rush, Lislea, Rocommon, Gorey, Rathangan and Cavan Drama Festivals on the 2011 Circuit.
Congratulations to all involved who won awards including; Best Supporting Actor for both Alan O’ Neill and Michael Dunbar; Best Comedy Moment; Best Costumes for Jacinta Kavanagh; Best Actress for Ellie Condren; Best Lighting for Kevin McEvoy and Best Set.
Pegeen Mike | Ellie Condren |
Shawn Keogh | Alan O’ Neill |
Michael James | Maurice Ruth |
Jimmy Farrell | James Doran |
Philly Cullen | PJ Arthur |
Christy Mahon | Mark Doran |
Widow Quin | Cathy Tighe |
Susan Brady | Cora Byrne |
Nelly | Katie Dunbar |
Honor Blake | Máire Doran |
Sara Tansey | Shelly Behan |
Old Mahon | Michael Dunbar |
Town Crier | Joe Sinnott |
Peasants | Maeve Hunter, Billy Molloy, Jose Dowse, Anne Sheridan |
Directed by | Michael Byrne |
Stage Manager | Tommy Kavanagh |
Set Construction | Ger Byrne, Owen Lydon, Martin Breen |
Set Decor | Maeve Hunter |
Lighting | Kevin McEvoy |
Sound | Stephen Ellis |
Make-up | Lorna Doran, Marion O’ Toole, Sorcha Howell, Máire Doran |
Costumes | Jacinta Kavanagh |
Stage Crew | Roy Douglas, Ger Byrne, Billy Molloy, Michael Kelly, Stephen Ellis |
Kilrush Drama Group will perform ‘The Lonesome West’ by Martin McDonagh in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew on Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd April before their All Ireland performance in Shercock, Co. Cavan on Thursday 26th April.
The group performed at festivals in Lislea, Rush, Kilmuckridge, Roscommon, Wexford, Kildare, Gorey and Cavan. Congratulations to Mick Byrne who won numerous Best Producer awards, Michael Dunbar & Joe Sinnott who won Best Actor awards, Brendan Doyle who won Best Supporting Actor Awards, Ellie Condren who won Best Actress & Best Supporting Actress awards, Stephen Ellis who won a Special Effects award and Kevin McEvoy who won a Best Lighting award. Also well done to all involved on winning the Audience Cup in Gorey, Best Play in the Dioscese and a Best Set award in Wexford. Break a leg to all involved in the Confined All Ireland in Shercock.
Girleen Kelleher | Ellie Condren |
Fr. Welsh | Brendan Doyle |
Valene Connor | Joe Sinnott |
Coleman Connor | Michael Dunbar |
Directed by | Michael Byrne |
Stage Manager | Ger Byrne |
Set Construction | Ger Byrne, Owen Lydon, Martin Breen |
Set Painting | Maeve Hunter |
Set Design | Lar Duffy & Michael Byrne |
Props | Roy Douglas & Tommy Kavanaugh |
Lighting | Kevin McEvoy & Michael Kelly |
Sound | Paddy Byrne & Dougie Doyle |
Make-up | Lorna Doran |
Costumes | Jacinta Kavanagh |
Special Effects | Stephen Ellis |
Stage Crew | Billy Molloy & Brendan Hayden |
Setting: Leenane, Galway. Period: 1997
Symposis of the Play: Part of the Leenane Triology by Martin McDonagh, The Lonesome West tells of the frustration of a young alcoholic priest to reconcile two middle aged, feuding brothers, and to stop them killing each other. He also has to ward off the romantic advances of the young Girleen, in a parish he calls the crime capital of Europe. Martin McDonagh’s ability to mix hilarious comedy with violence and dark moods makes him one of today’s most popular playwrights.
Photo courtesy of Tom Byrne
Kilrush Drama Group performed Our Town by Thornton Wilder at festivals in Lislea, Rush, Kilmuckridge, Wexford, Gorey and Ballyduff in West Waterford getting two wins, a second and a third enabling them to qualify for the Confined All Ireland in Rossmore, Co. Cork which took place from 19th – 27th April 2013. Kilrush performed in Rossmore on Tuesday 23rd April 2013.
Congratulations to Ger Byrne who won an All Ireland Award for Best Stage Management and also to Cora Tyrrell who was presented with a special gift of books from the adjudicator, Padraic McIntrye. Congratulations also to Ellie Condron who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Michael Dunbar who was nominated for Best Actor and to Kevin McEvoy, Billy Molloy and Martin Austin who were nominated for a Best Lighting award.
2013 Festival Circuit Awards Success
Congratulations to Mick Byrne who won two Best Producer awards, Michael Dunbar who won Best Actor awards, Seamus Burnell who won a Best Supporting Actor Award, Ellie Condren who won Best Actress & Best Supporting Actress awards, Anne Sheridan & Marie Dunne who won a joint Best Supporting Actress Award, Cora Tyrrell who won an Adjudicator’s Award, Paddy Byrne who won a Best Sound Award, Ger Byrne who won a Best Stage Manager Award, Jacinta Kavanagh who won a Best Costumes Award, Lar Duffy & the choir who won an adjudicator’s award and Kevin McEvoy who won an adjudicator’s award for lighting.
Also well done to all involved on winning the Best Play in the Diocese of Ferns in Gorey, a Best Presentation Award in West Waterford and an Adjudicator’s Award for the logistics of organising our 36 strong cast. Break a leg to all involved in the Confined All Ireland in Rossmore.
Stage Manager (Narrator) | Michael Dunbar |
Mr. Webb | Maurice Ruth |
Mrs. Webb | Marie Dunne |
Emily Webb | Ellie Condren |
Wally Webb | Richard O‘Toole |
Mr. Gibbs | Joe Sinnott |
Mrs. Gibbs | Anne Sheridan |
George Gibbs | Conor Lambert |
Rebecca Gibbs | Cora Tyrell |
Joe Crowell | Seamus Mulhall |
Howie Newsome | Din Doran |
Professor Willard | PJ Arthur |
Woman in the audience | Majella Tyrell |
Man in the audience | Andy Byrne |
Simon Stimson | Kieran Tyrell |
Mrs. Soames | Mary Doran |
Constable Warren | Seamus Burnell |
Si Crowell | Seamus Mulhall |
Baseball players | Cathal Murphy & Colm Murphy |
Sam Craig | Timmy Connaughton |
Joe Stoddard | Jose Dowse |
Townspeople | Stephen Ellis, Mary Jo Byrne, Robbie Willoughby, John McEvoy, Lorna Doran, Roy Douglas, Ger Byrne, Tommy Kavanagh, Anna Hennessy, Meg Tyrell, Margaret Dowse, Jane Kinsella, Robbie Willoughby, Jacinta Kavanagh and Clare Douglas |
Directed / Produced by | Michael Byrne |
Stage Manager | Ger Byrne |
Set Construction | Lar Duffy, Ger Byrne, Owen Lydon, Mark Murray |
Musical Director | Lar Duffy |
Set Design | Lar Duffy & Michael Byrne |
Hair | Marion O’Toole |
Lighting | Kevin McEvoy |
Sound | Paddy & Tom Byrne, Dougie Doyle |
Make-up | Lorna Doran & Meg Tyrell |
Costumes | Jacinta Kavanagh |
Stage Crew | Tommy Kavanagh, Roy Douglas & Stephen Ellis |
Setting: Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire. Period: 1901 – 1907
Symposis of the Play:
In Our Town, Thornton Wilder set out to bring realism, and to celebrate the innocent, simple and religious. Yet he tried to endow individual experience with cosmic significance. Our Town is both an affectionate portrait of American Life and ‘an attempt to find a value above all price for the smallest events in our daily life’. The play has become a classic of the American Theatre.
Set at the turn of the 20th century, the play reveals the ordinary lives of the people in the small town of Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, U.S.A. The play focuses particularly on the lives of George Gibbs, a doctor’s son, and Emily Webb, the daughter of a newspaper editor. Act I takes place in 1901 and depicts a typical day in the town. Act II, which takes place in 1904, shows the wedding of George Gibbs and Emily Webb. Act II, which takes place in 1913, depicts the interaction between Grover’s Corners dead townspeople and the living ones.