{"id":839,"date":"2025-03-08T20:51:54","date_gmt":"2025-03-08T20:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/?page_id=839"},"modified":"2026-03-04T11:17:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T11:17:28","slug":"2025-festival","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/?page_id=839","title":{"rendered":"2025 Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

THE CO. TIPPERARY DRAMA FESTIVAL<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0 Holycross, Co.Tipperary<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Adjudicator:\u00a0 IRENE O’MEARA<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Friday 21th to Saturday 29th March 2025<\/span><\/p>\n

8:30 pm Except final night 8:00pm<\/span><\/p>\n

Admission \u20ac15, Season Ticket \u20ac70 , Concession \u20ac12 <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Results 2025:<\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

OVERALL<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(P) HANNIFIN CUP (Entertaining Play)<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSnapper\u201d by Clann Machua<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

GALLAGHER AWARD for most promising actor\/actress \u2013 Tara Downes as Maureen<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Beauty Queen of Leenane \/ Flavour of the Month\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(P) DR. MORRIS MEMORIAL CUP [Tipperary Group] \u2013 Thurles D.G.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST SET OVERALL (Josie Slattery Award):<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Weir\u201d \u2013 Brideview D.G.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST LIGHTING:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBailegangaire\u201d \u2013 Kilrush D.G.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST SOUND:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAmongst Men\u201d \u2013 Wayside D.G.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1st ADJUDICATOR AWARD:<\/span><\/p>\n

Frazier for lighting in \u201cThe Snapper\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2nd ADJUDICATOR AWARD:<\/span><\/p>\n

Emma Walsh for telling story \u201cThe Weir\u201d \/ Brideview<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

CONFined<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST ACTOR (Joe Boyle Award):<\/span><\/p>\n

Seamus Corry as Jimmy Rabbite \u2013 \u201cThe Snapper\u201d \/ Clann Machua<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST ACTRESS (Maudie Bourke Award):<\/span><\/p>\n

Siobhain Redmond as Sharon \u2013 \u201cSnapper\u201d \/ Clann Machua<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST SUPP. ACTOR:<\/span><\/p>\n

Johnny Corkery as Pato \u2013 \u201cThe Beauty Queen of Leenane\u201d \/ Flavour of the Month<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST SUPP. ACTRESS:<\/span><\/p>\n

Lisa Shanahan as Phil \u2013 \u201cA Living Will\u201d \/ SuirProductions<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3rd \u2013 \u201cAmongst Men\u201d \u2013 Wayside Players<\/span><\/p>\n

2nd \u2013 \u201cThe Beauty Queen of Leenane\u201d \u2013 Flavour of the Month Productions<\/span><\/p>\n

1st Tipperary Star Cup \u2013 \u201cSNAPPER\u201d \/ Clann Machua<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST PRODUCER:<\/span><\/p>\n

Rebecca Farrington \u2013 \u201cSnapper\u201d \/ Clann Machua<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

OPEN<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST ACTOR (Matthew Bourke):<\/span><\/p>\n

Ronan Richardson as El-Fayoumy \u2013 \u201cJudas\u201d \/ Clontarf<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST ACTRESS:<\/span><\/p>\n

Mary Colbert as Dora Deveroux \u2013 \u201cThe Blackwater Lightship\u201d \/ Ballyduff<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST SUPP. ACTOR:<\/span><\/p>\n

Ronan Bennet as Larry \u2013 \u201cThe Blackwater Lightship\u201d \/ Ballyduff D.G.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST SUPP. ACTRESS:<\/span><\/p>\n

Emma Walshe as Valerie \u2013 \u201cThe Weir\u201d \/ Brideview D.G.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3rd \u2013 \u201cThe Weir\u201d \u2013 Brideview D.G.<\/span><\/p>\n

2nd \u2013 \u201cThe Last Days of Judas Iscariot\u201d \u2013 Clontarf D.G.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

(P) 1st TIPP FM TROPHY:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Blackwater Lightship\u201d \u2013 Ballyduff D.G.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

BEST PRODUCER (Frank Gleeson Award):<\/span><\/p>\n

Ger Canning \u2013 \u201cThe Blackwater Lightship\u201d \/ Ballyduff<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2025 Festival Plays:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Friday 21<\/span>st<\/span>\u00a0of March –<\/span><\/span> ( Open ) <\/span>– The Last Day of Judas Iscariot \u2013 Clontarf D.G. \/ Dublin \u2013 By Stephen Adly Guirgis<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday 22<\/span>nd<\/span>\u00a0of March –<\/span><\/span> ( Open )<\/span> <\/span>– The Blackwater Lightship\u2013 Ballyduff D.G. \/ Waterford \u2013 By Colm Tobin adapted by David Horan<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday 23th<\/sup> of March –<\/span> ( Confined ) – A Living Will \u2013 Suir Production \/ Tipperary \u2013 By Jim Keane<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Monday 24th<\/sup> of March –<\/span> ( Open ) – The Weir \u2013 Bridgeview D.G \/ Waterford \u2013 By Colm McPearson<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Tuesday 25th<\/sup> of March –<\/span> ( Open ) – Rathmines Road – Thurles D.G. \/ Tipperary – By Deirdre Kinahan<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Wednesday 26th<\/sup> of March –<\/span> ( Confined ) – The Beauty Quinn of Leenane – Flavour of the Month \/ Limerick \u2013 By Martin McDonagh<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thursday 27th<\/sup> of March –<\/span> ( Open )<\/span> – Bailegangaire \u2013 Kilrush D.G. \/ Wexford – By Tom Murphy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Friday 28th<\/sup> of March –<\/span> ( Confined )<\/span> – The Snapper \u2013 Clann Machua \/ Mayo – By Roddy Doyle<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday 29th<\/sup> of March –<\/span> ( Confined ) – Amongst Men \u2013 Wayside Players \/ Wexford – By Eoghan Rua Finn<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–<\/span><\/p>\n

Friday 21 March (O) \u201cThe Last Days of Judas Iscariot By Stephen Adly, Clontarf Player\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play: <\/u>The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis offers a provocative and darkly comedic reimagining of Judas Iscariot’s fate. . Set in a contemporary courtroom in Purgatory, the play stages a trial to determine Judas’s ultimate destiny. Over a series of often hilarious and deeply moving testimonies, witnesses from across biblical history and beyond take the stand. Figures like Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas the Elder, Mary Magdalene, and even Sigmund Freud offer their perspectives on Judas’s actions, motivations, and the nature of forgiveness and divine mercy. The play delves into complex questions of guilt, responsibility, free will, and the possibility of redemption, even for the most reviled of figures. Through its sharp dialogue, anachronistic humour, and poignant moments of reflection, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot challenges audiences to reconsider traditional interpretations of biblical narratives and grapple with the enduring questions of faith, doubt, and the potential for salvation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Group History:<\/u>\u00a0 <\/u>. Information Clontarf Players was founded in 2013 and is based on Dublin\u2019s northside. Playing to audiences in the Sean O\u2019Casey Theatre in East Wall, past performances include All In Favour Said No, A Man For All Season, The Plough and the Stars, and Drama at Inish. 2023 saw the group\u2019s first performance in the All Ireland Drama Competition, taking to the festival circuit with Oscar Wilde\u2019s \u2018The Importance of Being Earnest\u2019. In 2024 we were delighted to reach the finals in Athlone with the Irish premier of \u2018Radium Girls\u2019 by DW Gregor<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Saturday 22 March (O)<\/strong> \u201cThe Blackwater Lightship\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 By Colm Tobin Adapted by David Horan Ballyduff D.G.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Synopsis of Play<\/u>: \u201cWhen I was young, lying in bed, I used to believe that Tuskar was a man and the Blackwater Lightship was a woman and they were both sending signals to each other and to other lighthouses, like mating calls.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s 90s Ireland and HIV\/AIDS is still a terminal diagnosis. A sister, a mother and a grandmother, along with two friends, have come together to tend to 29-year-old Declan, who has the disease. Can this makeshift family unit face up to the illness and each other?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Group History<\/u>:\u00a0 Ballyduff Drama Group has been performing on the Three-Act Circuit for over forty years. In that time they have won the RTE All Ireland Finals in Athlone on three occasions, in 2004, 2022 & 2024. Their repertoire is extensive and has included work across the whole spectrum of dramatic endeavour. Productions like All-Ireland second-placed \u201cThe Welkin\u201d (2023), \u201cOf Mice and Men\u201d (2010) and \u201cCaught in the Net\u201d (2008) and the All-Ireland winning \u201cOn Raftery\u2019s Hill\u201d (2004), \u201cRabbit Hole\u201d (2022) and \u201cThe Ferryman\u201d (2024) represent just some of its array of achievements. Our group promotes the ethos that is Ballyduff Drama Group \u2013 one of inclusion, determination, cooperation and pride.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Sunday 23 March (C) \u00a0\u201cA Living Will\u201d\u00a0 By Jim Keane Suir Production<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play : <\/u>The Flynn dairy farm is somewhere on the Limerick\/Tipperary border.\u00a0 It is a small holding of 60 or so acres, and struggling to make ends meet. Fintan Flynn cares only about the family farm, which was handed down from generation to generation, and he intends to make it the best farm in Munster. He has no love for his wife or children. Ester works on the farm and also part-time cleaning the local school. She is in a loveless marriage and the only thing that keeps her going is the love and concern she has for her children. Marie, their eldest, is preparing to leave home and move in with her boyfriend; something she knows her father will despise. Joe is working (or slaving, according to him) on the farm, but wants to pursue another career, one he knows his father will not approve of. Fintan has an older brother, William, who emigrated to America 27 years ago after being involved in a fatal car crash in which his cousin Alice was killed. Fintan has no love for his brother and never wants to see him ever again, despite the fact that William has terminal cancer. Paddy Flynn, uncle to William and Fintan, has a farm bordering Fintan\u2019s farm. He is the father of Alice, who was killed in the car crash.\u00a0 Paddy was a practicing G.P.\u00a0 But after the accident he started drinking heavily and was forced to retire. His wife, Mary left him and Paddy is now drinking his way through the farm. <\/span><\/p>\n

History of the Group<\/u>: <\/u>Suir Productions are a drama group who have been together since 2016. We got together to perform Jim Keane\u2019s original play, A Living Will. We have been together since then and have performed a second original play also written by Jim, Big Splash, Small Fish.<\/span><\/p>\n

The members of the group hail from across the county. As a group we don\u2019t have an official home stage but are very lucky to have been \u201cadopted\u201d by Knockavilla Community Hall, who have been very good to us accommodating our rehearsals and performance nights. We are a relatively new group and are very open to having new members.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Monday 24 (C)\u00a0 The Weir\u201d : Brideview\u00a0 D.G. By Colm McPearson<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

In a small bar called The Weir in a rural town in Ireland, three local men are settling down for the night, enjoying good beer and company. Their normal routine is shaken up when their friend Finland enters the bar and introduces them to Valerie, an attractive woman from Dublin who has just moved into an old haunted house in the town. As the night (and the amount of liquor) progresses, each local from the bar starts to tell a tale of ghostly happenings in the town. What starts as innocent braggadocio between the men turns into a real fright when Valerie reveals a real, haunted tale of her own from the past. Examining chances of missed opportunity and the loneliness that results in it,\u00a0The Weir\u00a0is a haunting play with its roots in Irish folklore.<\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Brideview Drama are based in Co. Waterford. The group was formed in the late 1980s and began competing in the early 90s, winning the confined 3Act in 2005 with Moonshine. By Jim Nolan.<\/span><\/p>\n

They qualified for the Open All-Ireland Finals for the first time in 2018 with \u2018Stolen Child\u2019, finishing in second place. They reached the finals again in 2019 with ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come’ finishing in 3rd place.<\/span><\/p>\n

They also stage a very successful Autumn production annually in their local community<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Tuesday 25 (O)\u201cRathmines Road\u201dByDeirdre Kinahan\u00a0 Thurless D.G.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play : Rathmines Road is a bristling, highly topical, personal drama about the struggle to be believed.\u00a0 The action rages over one evening in a family sitting-room. It challenges the cultural responses society makes to an accusation of sexual assault. It is a story about one woman\u2019s dilemma in coming forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Back in the family home to oversee its sale with her husband Ray, Sandra collides with her shocking past. Her\u00a0 predicament is whether\u00a0 she should publicly reveal her trauma when she comes face to face with her attacker from twenty-five years ago, or continue to hold on to her secret suffering? If she confronts Eddie in her late parent\u2019s house, what will be the consequences for her, her marriage, her family?<\/span><\/p>\n

Sandra\u2019s story testifies to the pain of carrying the memory of sexual assault throughout a lifetime. The Irish Times called it:\u201dA compassionate imagining of one woman\u2019s private torment\u201d.Group Information<\/u><\/span><\/p>\n

Group History: Group presents two three-act plays yearly in the Source Arts Centre.\u00a0 Over a period of fifty-eight years, they have produced plays of every genre, and always of the highest quality.\u00a0 The group has recently bought an old cinema\/parish hall which has been refurbished into their own drama rehearsal space. They had the official opening of The Br\u00edd Ryan Drama Centre in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

The group has been competing on the three-act festival circuit over a number of years, and have reached the All-Ireland Finals in Athlone on numerous occasions, the most recent with The Seafarer in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Wednesday 26 March ) (C) \u201cThe Beauty Queen of Leenane\u201d By Martin\u00a0 McDonagh Flavour of the Month<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Synopsis: The Beauty Queen of Leenane presents the trials and tribulations of the characters who people the play.<\/span><\/p>\n

The setting is a remote rural cottage perched on the top of a steep hill in Leenane, County Galway- a dark lonesome place which mirrors the psyche of the characters and governs their actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Love and hate are manifest in the relationships of the protagonists, intertwined with selfishness and self-preservation. The theme of emigration is also evident in the play reflecting the misery of lonely rooms and being lost in crowded cities. As is the case with all narratives the audience members will be riveted with reflective thoughts on their own lives and the selfish demands of human relationships. McDonagh freely acknowledges his indebtedness to Synge for the beauty of his chosen words, his repetition, alliteration, assonance and other poetic devices that feature so deliberately and emphatically in his creative works. McDonagh utilises similar devices in an equally empathic way to add a richness to the craft of his drama. Certain words have a shock-value thus strongly arresting attention. Other literary devices lend an enchantment tinged with dark, horrific moments from the commencement<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

History of the Group: Flavour of the Month Productions are a group of like-minded persons who have a dedicated interest in amateur drama. The group decided to venture on the Confined Section for their first time with McDonagh\u2019s classic play. The group rehearse in St. John\u2019s Theatre & Arts Centre and the Writers Museum in Listowel, which is often referenced as the Literary Capital of Ireland.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thursday 27 March (O ) \u201cBailegangaire\u201d Kilrush D.G.. \u00a0By Tom Murphy\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play:<\/u> \u00a0\u2018Bailegangaire’ tells the story of three women who are dependent on, and at war with, one another. Mommo, the dominating and tyrannical grandmother, is bed-ridden and attended by two long-suffering granddaughters. In her unfinished storytelling Mommo has the power to keep the sense of the past alive or finish the story and liberate both herself and her two granddaughters from the chaos and blight that hangs over them all.<\/span><\/p>\n

Group History<\/u>: Kilrush Drama Group celebrated their 60th<\/sup> anniversary in 2024 having been founded by Mick Byrne in 1964. They released their second book of group history and photographs, \u2018More Drama at Kilrush\u2019 to mark the occasion. Kilrush won the All Ireland Confined Drama Finals in 2015 with their production of \u2018Poor Beast in the Rain\u2019. After a few years on the Open festival circuit and with a new director on board, they returned to the Confined Circuit in 2024 and went on to win the All Ireland Confined Drama Finals with their production of \u2018Hooked!\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Friday 28 March (C ) \u201cThe Snapper\u201d\u00a0 ClannMachua,Kiltimagh<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0By Roddy Doyle\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play<\/u>: Meet the Rabbitte family – a motley bunch of loveable ne’er-do-wells whose everyday purgatory is rich with hangovers, dogshit and dirty dishes. When the older sister announces her pregnancy, the family are forced to rally together and discover the strangeness of intimacy. But the question remains: which friend of the family is the father of Sharon’s child?<\/span><\/p>\n

Group History<\/u>: The seeds of the current Clann Machua Drama Group were sown in 2001, when a group came together to perform \u2018Big Maggie\u2019 by Sean B. Keane. It wasn\u2019t until 2010 that Clann Machua Drama Group officially formed to revive the great drama tradition in Kiltimagh. The Group\u2019s first production was \u2018A Crucial Week in the Life of a Grocer\u2019s Assistant\u2019 by Tom Murphy in 2011 The group hosts its annual ADCI one-act festival in November each year and is a regular participant on the one-act drama circuit. Recently qualifying for the All Ireland in Nass in 2024 with their production of Baby Steps and placing 3rd .<\/span><\/p>\n

Group History<\/span><\/p>\n

The group also participate in the full-length circuit having competed with Sean O\u2019Casey\u2019s \u2018Juno & The Paycock\u2019 and \u2018The Cripple of Inishmaan\u2019 by Martin McDonagh. \u2018Sive\u2019 and \u2018Stolen Child\u2019 went all the way to the All-Ireland Finals in 2022 and 2024 respectively.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Saturday 29 (C) \u00a0\u201cAmongst Men\u201d\u00a0 Wayside Players ,Wexford\u00a0By Eoghan Rua Finn<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0Synopsis of Play: <\/span><\/p>\n

It is 1969 Se\u00e1n Walsh, a primary school teacher, plans to commemorate the revolutionary period in Wexford with his sixth class pupils. His mother was a Cumann na mBan member and has first hand knowledge of life during the wars. Knowledge she prefers to remain secret. When tragedy strikes Se\u00e1n\u2019s attention turns to uncovering his mother\u2019s secrets, a mission that puts him in conflict with local political and religious leaders, and puts his job, identity and life in jeopardy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Group History<\/span><\/p>\n

The group has\u00a0 been in existence for many years, competing in the One and Three Act Festival circuit over the years.\u00a0 We are delighted to be bringing a great Wexford play to audiences throughout Ireland.\u00a0 Wayside are well known for the summer pub theatre season, which brings great enjoyment to locals and visitors to the seaside town of Blackwater.<\/span><\/p>\n

RESULTS 2024<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

OVERALL<\/strong> \u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (P) HANNIFIN CUP\u00a0 (Entertaining Play) \u00a0\u00a0\u201cThe Ferryman\u201d Ballyduff D.G.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 GALLAGHER AWARD for most promising actor\/actress \u2013 Shane Foley\/\u201dThe Ferryman\u201dBallyduff\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (P) DR.MORRIS MEMORIAL CUP\u00a0 [ Tipperary Group) \u201cDancing at Lughnasa\u201d\u00a0 Holycross\/Ballycahill D.G.<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0BEST SET OVERALL[Josie Slattery Award: Joanne Bannon\u201dStolen Child\u201d Moyne\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 BEST LIGHTING: Conor McGowan \u201cThe Ferryman, Ballyduff<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0BEST SOUND: Emily Aherne & Liam Walsh \u201cAntigone\u201d Brideview<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a01st<\/sup> ADJUDICATOR AWARD: The Wild Dance \u201dDancing at Lughnassa\u201dHolycross \/Ballycahill<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a02nd<\/sup> ADJUDICATOR AWARD : Trio of Young Sisters,\u201dThe Ferryman, Ballyduff<\/span><\/h4>\n

<\/h4>\n

<\/h4>\n

CONFINED<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0BEST ACTOR :Joe Boyle Award. Ken murphy as Mick Tracey \/\u201dStolen child\u201d Moyne D.G.<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0BEST ACTRESS :Maudie Bourke Award Geraldine Delaney as Angela \u201cStolen Child\u201d Moyne D.G.<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0BEST SUPP.ACTOR:\u00a0 Norman skillen asMooney\/Mr.Mullen \u201cSame Old Moon\u201dSliabh Aughty<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0BEST SUPP.ACTRESS: Nancy Armshaw-Caplis as Constance Constania \u201cDrama at Inish\u201d Rearcross <\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3rd<\/sup> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cOn Rafferty\u2019s Hill\u201d Wayside D.G.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2nd<\/sup>\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u201cNow and Then\u201d Harvest Moon\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 <\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0 1st<\/sup> \u00a0Tipperary Star Cup \u00a0\u00a0\u201cStolen Child\u201d Moyne D.G.<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0BEST PRODUCER : Joanne Bannon \/ Moyne D.G.<\/span><\/h4>\n

OPEN\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 BEST ACTOR (Matthew Bourke) :John Stack as Quinn Carney \u201cThe Ferryman\u201d Ballyduff<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 BEST ACTRESS : Grainne Kenny as Caitlin Carney \u201cthe Ferryman\u201d Ballyduff<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 BEST SUPP.ACTOR: James Lenane as Teiresias \u201cAntigone\u201d Brideview<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 BEST SUPP.ACTRESS \u00a0: Mary Colbert as Aunt Patricia Faraway \u201cThe Ferryman\/Ballyduff<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 3rd<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDancing at Lughnasa\u201d Holycross\/Ballycahill D.G.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 2nd<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cThe Lonesome West\u201d Kilmeen D.G. <\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 (P) 1st\u00a0 TIPP FM TROPHY\u00a0 \u00a0: \u201c The Ferryman\u201d Ballyduff D.G.<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0BEST PRODUCER:(Frank Gleeson Award) \u00a0\u00a0Ger Canning, Ballyduff<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

2024 Festival Plays:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

Friday 15th<\/sup> of March – ( Open ) – Dancing at Lughnasa \u2013 Holycross \/ Ballycahill \u2013 By Brian Friel<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday 16th<\/sup> of March – ( Confined ) – Stolen Child \u2013 Moyne \u2013 By Bairbre Ni Chaoimh & Yvonne Quinn<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sunday 17th<\/sup> of March – ( Confined ) – On Raftery’s Hill \u2013 Wayside \u2013 By Marina Carr<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Monday 18th<\/sup> of March – ( Open ) – The Ferrymann \u2013 Ballyduff D.G \u2013 By Jez Butterworth<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Tuesday 19th<\/sup> of March – ( Open ) – Antigone – Brideview D.G. – By Don Taylor<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Wednesday 20th<\/sup> of March – ( Confined ) – Same Old Moon \u2013 Sliabh Aughty D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thursday 21th<\/sup> of March – ( Confined ) – Drama at Inish \u2013 Rearcross D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Friday 22th<\/sup> of March – ( Open ) – The Lonesome West \u2013 Kilmeen D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Saturday 23th<\/sup> of March – ( Confined ) – Now and Then \u2013 Harvest Moon D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–<\/span><\/p>\n

Fri. 15 March (Open) Dancing at Lughnasa – Holycross\/Ballycahill D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play:<\/strong> It is 1936 and harvest time in County Donegal. In a house just outside thevillage of Ballybeg, live the five Mundy sisters, barely making ends meet, their ages ranging from twenty six to forty. The two male members of the household are brother Jack, a seven year old child of the youngest sister. In depicting two days in the life of this m\u00e9nage, Brian Friel evokes not simply the interior landscape of a group of human beings trapped in their domestic situation, but the wider landscape, interior and exterior, Christian and pagan, of which they are nonetheless a part.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information:<\/strong> Following our win on the 2019 Confined Festival Circuit, this is the group\u2019s second outing on the Open Festival Circuit and we are really looking forward to it!! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

From our home on the banks of the River Suir in the beautiful village of Holycross the group stage performances every winter and participate in the All Ireland Festival Circuit every spring. We have been together for over fifty years and we still enjoying treading the boards together and performing to our loyal audiences!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Sat.16 March (Confined) Stolen Child – Moyne D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play:<\/strong> Humorous yet moving, stolen Child tells the story of a women : birth who enlists the help of a colourful private detective to search for her mother and uncover the secrets of her family history. What begins as a personal odyssey for Angela Tiernan to discover the secrets of her family history soon becomes a fascinating exploration of one of the darkest chapters in the history of modern Ireland.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information:<\/strong> Moyne Drama Group was founded in 1978 and performs one full length play in January each year.The group has previously taken part in the festival circuit on two occasions with \u201cKings of the Kilburn High Road\u201d in 2014 and Sive in 2013, the latter reaching the the All Ireland Finals in Rossmore.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Sun 17 March (Confined) On Raftery\u2019s Hill – Wayside Players<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play:<\/strong> Set on an isolated midlands farm, On Raftery’s Hill looks at the ties that bind a family together even as each member attempts to escape their destiny. It is the story of a family at war with itself.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information: <\/span><\/span><\/strong>The group has been in existence for many years, competing in the One and Three Act Festival circuit over the years. We are delighted to be bringing a great Wexford play to audiences throughout Ireland. Wayside are well known for the summer pub theatre season, which brings great enjoyment to locals and visitors to the seaside town of Blackwater,<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Mon.18 March (Open) The Ferryman – Ballyduff D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play: <\/span><\/span><\/strong>Northern Ireland, 1981. The Carney farmhouse is a hive of activity with preparations for the annual harvest. \u00a0A day of hard work on the land and a traditional night of feasting and celebrations lie ahead. But this year they will be interrupted by a visitor.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information:<\/strong> Ballyduff Drama Group has been performing on the Three-Act Circuit for over forty years. In that time they have won the RTE All Ireland Finals in Athlone on two occasions, in 2004 & 2022. Their repertoire is extensive and has included work across the whole spectrum of dramatic endeavour. Productions like \u201cAlbertine in Five Times\u201d, second-placed \u201cThe Welkin\u201d (2023), \u201cOf Mice and Men\u201d (2010) and \u201cCaught in the Net\u201d (2008) and the All-Ireland winning \u201cOn Raftery\u2019s Hill\u201d (2004) and \u201cRabbit Hole\u201d (2022) represent just some of its array of achievements. Our group promotes the ethos that is Ballyduff Drama Group \u2013 one of inclusion, determination, cooperation and pride.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Tues.19 March (Open) Antigone – Brideview D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play:<\/strong> Antigone is an Athenian tragedy written by Sophocles in (or before) 441 BC. The play is about Antigone’s disobedience of Creon’s rules when she insists on burying her brother, Polyneices. Antigone, Haemon, and Eurydice die at the end of the play, to Creon’s great distress. The play addresses themes of civil disobedience, morality, loyalty, authority, and gender.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information: <\/span><\/span><\/strong>Brideview Drama are based in Co. Waterford. The group was formed in the late 1980s and began competing in the early 90s, winning the confined 3Act in 2005 with Moonshine. By Jim Nolan.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

They qualified for the Open All-Ireland Finals for the first time in 2018 with \u2018Stolen Child\u2019, finishing in second place. They reached the finals again in 2019 with ‘Philadelphia, Here I Come’ finishing in 3rd place<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Wed.20 March (Confined) Same Old Moon – Sliabh Aughty D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play:<\/strong> Same Old Moon shows us scenes in the life of Brenda Barnes, the aspiring writer. We follow her from age nine to fortyish, and see through her eyes her eccentric and sometimes fiery Irish family – her wilful and self-destructive Dad, her put-upon, sometimes hot-tempered Mum and many others.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information:<\/strong> Sliabh Aughty DG was formed in 1989. Our first production was \u201cThe Field\u201d by John B Keane, which was very successful, and a great building block for the group. We have performed on the drama circuit for many years with plays including The year of the Hiker, Sive & Moonglow , reaching the All Ireland on each occasion. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Thur 21 March (Confined) Drama at Inish – Rearcross D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play:<\/strong> The play was originally set in the 1930\u2019s but has been updated to the early 1960\u2019s for this production, just before the arrival of TV. The play\u2019s action takes place in the Seaview Hotel in the small sleepy town of Inish on the south coast of Ireland.Nothing much has ever happened in Inish until the arrival of the De La Mare acting troupe for the summer season. The locals take so much to the plays being performed that they act out the various plots in their own lives.Chaos Ensues.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information:<\/strong> Rearcross has a long tradition in Amateu Dramatics stretching back to the 1940. The Group was active on the festival circuit in the 1960\u2019s and 1970\u2019s. for a number of years the group was not active but was revived in 2008 and annual productions have been successfully staged every year since. The group is looking forward to paticipating again in Co. Tipperary Drama Festival.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Fri 22 March (Open)The Lonesome West – Kilmeen D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play:<\/strong> Valene and Coleman are two brothers who have lived together for years with constant petty squabbling. Now after their father’s death, and following the exhortations of the local priest, a new understanding could develop. Could, that is, if the two brothers could stop arguing over crisps, ornaments, who left the top off Valene’s pen and whose turn it is to read a magazine.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information:<\/strong> Kilmeen Drama Group Kilmeen Drama Group, based in Rossmore, West Cork, are one of the longest established drama groups in the country, regularly competing on the 3 Act and 1 Act circuits.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Sat 23 March (Confined) Now and Then – Harvest Moon D.G.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Synopsis of Play:<\/strong> <\/span><\/span>Sean Grennan\u2019s play, \u2018Now and Then\u2019 was originally set in an Irish bar in Chicago in 1981. A young barman, Jamie, is closing up one night, when an older man comes in for a quick one. What happens that night, may, or may not, change the course of Jamie\u2019s life. <\/span><\/span>This is a story about love, following your dreams (or not) and the costs of the decisions we make. <\/span><\/span>Harvest Moon\u2019s presentation is an Irish adaption of the play by John Corless.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Group Information:<\/strong> Harvest Moon Theatre Group is a small group based in Claremorris, Co Mayo, with members drawn from all over Connaught. This is their second year on the circuit. The group likes to introduce new plays, or re-imagine well-known plays, for audiences around the country, and is delighted to be at this festival this year.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

THE CO. TIPPERARY DRAMA FESTIVAL \u00a0 Holycross, Co.Tipperary\u00a0 \u00a0 Adjudicator:\u00a0 IRENE O’MEARA\u00a0 Friday 21th to Saturday 29th March 2025 8:30 pm Except final night 8:00pm Admission \u20ac15, Season Ticket \u20ac70 , Concession \u20ac12   Results 2025:   OVERALL   (P) HANNIFIN CUP (Entertaining Play) \u201cSnapper\u201d by Clann Machua   GALLAGHER AWARD for most promising actor\/actress<\/p>\n

Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":38,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-839","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=839"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":907,"href":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/839\/revisions\/907"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/38"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tipperarydrama.ie\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}