Claremorris took centre stage once again as it proudly hosted the CBE All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals, which ran from April 25th to May 3rd. The much-anticipated results were announced at a gala dinner on Sunday, May 4th in the McWilliam Park Hotel, with the event broadcast live online.

Festival Director Peter McCallig shared insights into the festival’s scale:

“It cost approximately €60,000 to stage this festival. We were thrilled that local firm CBE came on board as sponsor. It was invaluable to have the support of a homegrown company, and I wanted to thank them on behalf of the group, the town, and the wider drama community. This year’s line-up was exceptional and delivered nine unforgettable nights of performance.”

As a gesture of appreciation, a reception for the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland and sponsors was hosted at La Casa Tapas and Wine, Dalton Street, on Friday, April 25th at 4:30pm. Later that evening, guests enjoyed a cheese and wine reception in the Town Hall Theatre at 7:00pm, followed by the official opening of the festival at 8:00pm, which was performed by renowned Leitrim playwright John McDwyer.

Alongside the main competition, Claremorris buzzed with a vibrant Fringe Festival, showcasing a rich array of cultural and creative events designed to complement the dramatic flair of the finals.

Gearóid Concannon, Managing Director of CBE, expressed his pride in supporting the event:

“We at CBE were incredibly proud to sponsor such a prestigious festival. It was fantastic to see an event of this calibre bring so much energy, creativity, and community spirit to our town. Supporting local culture and seeing Claremorris thrive because of it was something we valued deeply.”

The results were as follows:

• 1st – St Patrick’s Drama Group: ‘Woman And Scarecrow’ by Marina Carr;

• 2nd – Upstage Players: ‘The Weir’, also by Conor McPherson;

• 3rd – Glenamaddy Players: ‘Class’ by Iseult Golden and David Horan.

• Premier Award – St Patrick’s Drama Group: ‘Woman And Scarecrow’ by Marina Carr;

• Best Director – Séamus Cafferky– St Patrick’s Drama Group: ‘Woman And Scarecrow’ by Marina Carr;

• Best Presentation – Coman Keaveny – Glenamaddy Players: ‘Class’ by Iseult Golden and David Horan.

• Best Lighting – Jamie O’Neill – St Patrick’s Drama Group: ‘Woman And Scarecrow’ by Marina Carr;

• Best Stage Management – Cameron Farrington – Clann Machua Drama Group: ‘The Snapper’ by Roddy Doyle;

• Best Actor – Tom Oates – Upstage Players: ‘The Weir’, also by Conor McPherson;

• Best Actress – Alanna Ní Mhíochóin – St Patrick’s Drama Group: ‘Woman And Scarecrow’ by Marina Carr;

• Best Supporting Act – Ollie Turner – Upstage Players: ‘The Weir’, also by Conor McPherson;

• Best Supporting Actress – Tina Ward – Glenamaddy Players: ‘Class’ by Iseult Golden and David Horan.

• Scholarship to DLI Summer School – Claire McLoughlin– Phoenix Players Tubbercurry: ‘Translations’ by Brian Friel;