Kilrush Drama Group present “The Weir”
by Conor McPherson for the 2018 All-Ireland Open Festival Circuit.
Kilrush Drama Group performed their 2018 Festival Production of ‘The Weir’ by Conor McPherson in Carnew on the 16th & 18th February in preparation for the Open Circuit. Their first festival production took place in Kilmuckridge on Monday 26th February before Storm Emma brought things to a halt. Kilrush DG unfortunately did not get to perform in Newtownstewart as a result of the dangerous driving conditions. Also due to Storm Emma, the Kilrush performance of The Weir in Castleblayney was postponed to Monday 12th March. The group also performed in Kildare on Wednesday 7th, Gorey on Saturday 10th, Cavan on Sunday 18th, Shercock on Monday 19th and Glenamaddy on Friday 23rd March.
Catherine Stafford received numerous Best Supporting Actress Awards on the festival circuit and Lar Duffy and team were awarded numerous Best Set Awards. Alas, a place in the Open All Ireland Drama Festival was not meant to be but the group enjoyed a wonderful year of friendship and camaraderie getting a second place, and five third places along the way.
The Cast and Crew of ‘The Weir’.
The cast of ‘The Weir’ with Director, Mick Byrne.
THE WEIR BY CONOR MCPHERSON
Cast List Played by
| Valerie | Catherine Stafford |
| Brendan | Brendan Doyle |
| Jim | Maurice Ruth |
| Jack | PJ Arthur |
| Finbar | Joe Sinnott |
Crew
| Director | Michael Byrne |
| Stage Manager | Tommy Kavanagh |
| Set Design | Lar Duffy |
| Lighting | Kevin McEvoy |
| Sound | Paddy Byrne & Dougie Doyle |
| Stage Crew | Lar Duffy, Cathy Tighe, Ger Byrne, Tom Byrne, Kevin Mulholland, Roy Douglas, Raymond Brennan, Stephen Ellis |
| Set Construction | Lar Duffy, Tommy Kavanagh, Ned Nolan, John Hempenstall, John Kilbride, Ger Byrne, Paddy Byrne & Stephen Ellis |
| Make Up | Lorna Doran McEvoy |
Synopsis of Play
In a bar in rural Ireland, the landlord and three regulars attempt to spook a young woman who has recently arrived from Dublin. But as the conversation moves on it is Valerie who scares the men.
Group Information
Kilrush Drama Group celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2014 and founding member and Director Mick Byrne has been at the helm of the group since it’s beginning in 1964. Kilrush Drama Group have produced over 70 plays and appeared in the 3 Act Confined All Ireland Finals on 17 occasions finally winning the Premier Award in the 2015 Confined All Ireland with their production of ‘Poor Beast in the Rain’. Members of Kilrush Drama Group founded the South Wicklow Drama Festival in 2005 and they will host the All Ireland Confined Drama Finals in Carnew in April 2018.