2026 South Wicklow Drama Festival

The 2026 South Wicklow Drama Festival took place in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew from Friday 13th – Saturday 21st March (excl. Thur 19th March).

The launch of the 2026 South Wicklow Drama Festival took place on Sunday 22nd February in Jim Byrne’s, Carnew. We were delighted to welcome SWDF Founder Member, Lar Duffy, to officially launch the Festival.

We welcomed Paddy Farrelly (ADA) as our 2026 Festival Adjudicator who shared his expertise with our audiences and groups throughout the festival.

Check out the fantastic line up of plays which took part in the 2026 South Wicklow Drama Festival below.

We once again enjoyed welcoming old friends, and new, to enjoy a celebration of amateur drama in St. Brigid’s Hall.

2026 Festival Adjudicator – Paddy Farrelly (ADA)

Paddy Farrelly is a highly experienced theatre professional with over 20 years of involvement in acting, directing, production, and lighting design. As Technical Manager at the Ramor Theatre in Virginia, he plays a key role in shaping both the artistic and technical aspects of live performance. A graduate of University College Dublin, Paddy has an MA in Theatre Practice & Performance, reflecting his deep academic and practical engagement with theatre. His extensive career in amateur drama has seen him excel across multiple disciplines, earning recognition at the Confined Drama Finals on numerous occasions. A crowning achievement came in 2013 when he directed Mark Doherty’s “Trad” for Millrace Drama Group, winning the prestigious Claregalway Trophy. In addition to his production and directing work, Paddy is an accomplished lighting designer, with credits including Calendar Girls (Ramor Players), At the Black Pig’s Dyke (Culture Cavan), Stolen Child (Ramor Players), Cartographers Pen (Town Hall Cavan) , and The Whispering Chair (Livin Dred) Robin & Dawn (Bewleys Café Theatre) among many others. His versatility across genres—from contemporary drama to classic works—highlights his keen artistic vision and technical skill. Since 2022, Paddy has been a member of The Association of Drama Adjudicators (ADA), bringing his wealth of experience to festivals across Ireland. He has adjudicated both one-act and full-length festivals in all four provinces, offering insightful critique and encouragement to amateur theatre groups nationwide. Beyond the stage, Paddy has been an innovator in the theatre community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he founded and produced the ADCI Lockdown Conversations, fostering connection and discussion among artists during a challenging time. This is Paddy’s first visit to South Wicklow Drama Festival as adjudicator, but not his first time in Carnew as he directed Sillan Players as competitors on many occasions. He looks forward to a feast of theatre and meeting and engaging with groups and you the audience alike over the week.

Fionnula Flanagan officially opens the 2026 SWDF 

Fionnula Flanagan is one of Ireland’s most distinguished and internationally acclaimed actors. Born in Dublin, Fionnula has enjoyed a remarkable career spanning stage, film and television for more than six decades. She first came to prominence in Irish theatre before achieving global recognition for her work in Hollywood and on American television. Her many film credits include Four Mothers, The Others, Yes Man and Waking Ned Devine. Television audiences around the world know her from acclaimed series such as Lost, Star Trek, and Brotherhood and numerous guest appearances across major productions. Theatre credits include The Ferryman and Ulysses in Nighttown, both performed on Broadway, for which she received Tony Award Nominations for Best Actress in a Featured Role. She also appeared in A Christmas Carol at  The Gate Theatre in Dublin. Fionnula has received multiple awards and honours for her contribution to the arts, including the IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. She continues to be celebrated for her powerful performances and her enduring connection to Irish storytelling and theatre. We were honoured to welcome Fionnula Flanagan as she officially opened this year’s festival.

Winners of the 2026 South Wicklow Drama Festival

Award Winners of the 2026 South Wicklow Drama Festival pictured with Festival Secretary Kevin McEvoy, Adjudicator Paddy Farrelly and Festival Chair Eamonn Doran.

Confined Section

1st – Gorey Little Theatre – ‘Gut’

2nd – Tinahely Variety Group – ‘Moonglow’

Open Section

1st – Ballycogley Players – ‘All My Sons’

2nd – Thurles Drama Group – ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’

3rd – Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group – ‘Da’

Confined Section:

Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Roy O’Connor, Gorey Little Theatre

Best Actor in a Major Role – Fergus Garrett, Tinahely Variety Group

Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Marion Murphy, Gorey Little Theatre

Best Actress in a Major Role – Lily Henrich Doyle, Gorey Little Theatre

Best Director – Stephen Acton, Gorey Little Theatre

Open Section:

Best Supporting Actress – Ciara Spellman, Ballycogley Players

Best Supporting Actor – Pat Loughnane, Thurles Drama Group

Best Actress – Geraldine Delaney, Thurles Drama Group

Best Actor – Sean Carthy, Ballycogley Players

Best Director – Brigid Scully, Ballycogley Players

Adjudicator Award 1 – Lighting – Eddie O’Brien, Gorey Little Theatre

Adjudicator Award 2 – Costumes – Helen Cahill & Catherine Murphy, Thurles Drama Group

Adjudicator Award 3 – New performer – Jay Swinburne, Ballycogley Players

Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Billy Canning as Da, Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group

Magic Moment in Theatre (Pat Connaughton Award) – Gerry and Chris in the garden – Thurles Drama Group

Audience Cup (Altura Credit Union Award) – ‘Da’ performed by Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group

Best Presentation – Ballycogley Players – ‘All My Sons’

Members of Gorey Little Theatre who won the Confined Section with their production of ‘Gut’ pictured with Festival Secretary Kevin McEvoy, Festival Adjudicator Paddy Farrelly (ADA) and Festival Chairman Eamonn Doran.

Members of Ballycogley Players who won the Open Section with their production of ‘All My Sons’ pictured with Festival Chair Eamonn Doran, Festival Adjudicator Paddy Farrelly (ADA) and Festival Secretary Kevin McEvoy.

Festival 2019

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:

Confined Section

1st – Skibbereen Theatre Society, The Beauty Queen of Leenane
2nd – Kilmuckridge Drama Group, The Righteous are Bold
3rd – Tinahely Drama Group, Eclipsed

Open Section

1st – Bridge Drama, Brighton Beach Memoirs
2nd – Kilrush Drama Group, The Steward of Christendom
3rd – Wexford Drama Group, Rabbit Hole

Confined Section:

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

Open Section:

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

Festival 2020

South Wicklow Drama Festival will host the All Ireland Confined Drama Finals in 2018

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.

Festival 2018

All Ireland Confined Drama Festival Results 2018

Confined Section

1st – Ballycogley Players with ‘The Night Alive’
2nd – Schull Drama Group with ‘No Man’s Land’
3rd – Glenamaddy Players with ‘The Good Father’

Best Director (The Broderick Perpetual Cup) – Breda Hayes, Ballycogley Players
Nominations for Jennifer Williams & Coman Keaveny

Best Presentation (The Ray Leonard Memorial Trophy) – Schull Drama Group, ‘No Man’s Land’
Nominations for Lislea, Ballycogley & Glenamaddy

Best Lighting (The Playlight Perpetual Cup) – Dan Thornhill & Ger Minihane, Schull Drama Group
Nominations for Nick Hayes (Ballycogley), David & Michael Farrelly (Sillan) & Miriam Lanigan, Paddy Connolly & Conor O’ Connell (Holycross)

Best Stage Management (The Carrickmore Perpetual Trophy) – Paddy McGuire, Ballycogley Players
Nominations for Josephine McParland (Lislea), Brian Sheehan (Curtain Call) and Sharon & Karina Farrelly (Sillan)

Best Actor – Alan Sparling, Sliabh Aughty Drama Group
Nominations for Con Doyle (Ballycogley), Caleb Cairns (Schull), Sean O’ Connell (Schull)

Best Actress – Tina Ward, Glenamaddy Players
Nominations for Denise Moules (Coolgreany), Trish Boyce (Ballycogley) & Jenny Bracken (Holycross/ Ballycahill)

Best Supporting Actor – Sean Carthy, Ballycogley Players
Nominations for Con Doyle (Ballycogley), Caleb Cairns (Schull), Sean O’ Connell (Schull)

Best Supporting Actress – Jacqui Lacey, Holycross/ Ballycahill Drama Group
Nominations for Eavan Brennan (Sliabh Aughty), Julie Halpin (Sillan) & Vanessa Hyde (Curtain Call)

Scholarship to Drama League of Ireland Summer School – Shane Fox, Sillan Players
Scholarship to Stageworks Summer School – Megan Marriott, Curtain Call Productions
New for 2018; Scholarship to The Lir, ‘Introduction to Stage Management and Technical Theatre’ – Miriam Lanigan, Holycross/ Ballycahill Drama Group

2018 All Ireland Champions, Ballycogley Players with adjudicator, Tom Byrne

South Wicklow Drama Festival Committee 2018

Front row L-R: Tommy Kavanagh; Mick Byrne (President); Eamonn Doran (Chairman); Kevin McEvoy (Secretary); Brendan Doyle (Vice-Chairman); Jacinta Kavanagh.

Back row L-R: Mary Doran (PRO); Kieran Tyrrell; Mary Doyle; Mandie O’Keeffe; Raymond Brennan; Lorna Doran McEvoy (Asst. Secretary & Asst. PRO); Hannah Doyle; Máire Doran; Debbie Furlong (Treasurer); Gavin Nolan and Jacqui Mulholland (Asst. Treasurer).

Click here for some of the fringe events from the All Ireland Festival

Gallery

Festival 2017

The Winners of the 2017 South Wicklow Drama Festival are…

Confined Section

1st – Sillan Players with The Trappe Family
2nd – Take 5 with The Telephone Exchange
3rd – Lislea with Juno and the Paycock

Open Section

1st – Bunclody- Kilmyshall with Agnes of God
2nd – Bridge Drama with An Inspector Calls
3rd – Kilrush with Hedda Gabler

Confined Section:

Best Supporting Actress – Deirdre Coulter, Lislea
Best Supporting Actor – John Campbell, Lislea
Best Actress -Anne Garvey
Best Actor – David Clarke – Sillan
Best Director – Paddy Farrelly – Sillan

Open Section:

Best Supporting Actress – Anne Sheridan, Kilrush
Best Supporting Actor – Matt Furlong, Kilmuckridge
Best Actress – Kate Power, Bunclody
Best Actor – Paul Tobin, Bridge
Best Director – Kieran Tyrrell, Bunclody

Adjudicator Award 1 – Most challenging play – Tribes, Gorey
Adjudicator Award 2 – Most challenging play – The Telephone Exchange, Take 5.
Adjudicator Award 3 – Best Lighting, Eddie O Brien, Gorey – Tribes
Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Brendan Farrelly, Sillan
Magic Moment in Theatre (Pat Connaughton Award) – ‘LIAR’ – Bunclody
Audience Cup (Carnew Credit Union Award) – ‘Agnes of God’ – Bunclody-Kilmyshall

Best Presentation – Bridge Drama, An Inspector Calls

Festival 2016

Another great week of drama was performed by the nine groups who participated in South Wicklow Drama Festival which took place in St. Brigid’s Hall. Each night the stage was transformed into a different world with each group erecting their own unique sets, which was one of the aspects that Alan Howley Adjudicator was extremely impressed by. The festival enjoyed full houses almost every night and there was a great build-up of excitement on Saturday night awaiting the final adjudication and results.

The Winners of the 2016 South Wicklow Drama Festival are…

Confined Section

1st – Take 5 with ‘Children of a Lesser God’
2nd – Lislea Dramatic Players with ‘The Prisoner of Second Avenue’
3rd – Ballycogley Players with ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’

Open Section

1st – Bridge Drama with ‘Lost in Yonkers’
2nd – Gorey Little Theatre Group with ‘The Birds’
3rd – Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group with ‘Moonshine’

Confined Section:

Best Supporting Actress – Ellen Quirke, Take 5
Best Supporting Actor – Mike O’ Neill, Take 5
Best Actress – Sarah Jacob, Take 5
Best Actor – Chris Doyle, Take 5
Best Director – Noelle Clarke, Take 5

Open Section:

Best Supporting Actress – Mairead Ryan, Bridge.
Best Supporting Actor – Paul Tobin, Bridge.
Best Actress – Heather Hadrill, Bridge.
Best Actor – Rónán P. Byrne, Bunclody.
Best Director – Pat Whelan, Bridge.

Adjudicator Award 1 – Ferns Dramatic Society for ‘stage business’
Adjudicator Award 2 – Lislea for technical, theatrical business
Adjudicator Award 3 – Peter McCamley who played Louie in ‘Lost in Yonkers’
Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Tim Connaughton – Moonshine
Magic Moment in Theatre (Pat Connaughton Award) – Dalkey Players
Audience Cup (Carnew Credit Union Award) – Bridge Drama with ‘Lost in Yonkers’
Best Presentation – Gorey Little Theatre Group for ‘The Birds’

Gallery

Festival 2015

Included in the line-up for the Festival are: The Seafarer by Conor McPherson and performed by Wexford Drama Group; There Goes the Bride by Ray Cooney & John Chapman and performed by Ballycogley Players; Tea in a China Cup by Christina Reid and performed by Lislea Dramatic Players; Stolen Child by Barbara ni Chaoimh & Yvonne Quinn and performed by Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group; The Kings of the Kilburn High Road by Jimmy Murphy and performed by Kilmuckridge Drama Group; Moll by John B. Keane and performed by Craanford Drama Group; Pygmalion by GB Shaw and performed by Bridge Drama; Momologues by Lisa Rafferty, Stephanie Cloutier & Sheila Eppolito and performed by Take 5 Drama Group and Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel and performed by Yellow Moon Theatre Company

South Wicklow Drama Festival Results

Confined Section

1st – Lislea with Tea in a China Cup
2nd – Craanford with Moll…
3rd – Ballycogley with There Goes the Bride

Open Section

1st – Bunclody/ Kilmyshall with Stolen Child
2nd – Bridge with Pygmalion
3rd – Yellow Moon with Dancing at Lughnasa

Festival 2014

The Winners of the 2014 South Wicklow Drama Festival are…

Confined Section

1st: ‘The Weir’ – Kilmuckridge Drama Group
2nd: ‘Little Gem’ – Take 5
3rd: ‘Thy Will Be Done’ – Craanford Drama Group

Best Supporting Actress – Marie Butler
Best Supporting Actor – Richard Devereux
Best Actress in a Major Role – Noelle Clarke
Best Actor in a Major Role – Michael Murphy
Best Director – Michael Johnson

Open Section

1st: ‘Animal Farm’ – Rasper Players
2nd: ‘A View from the Bridge’ – Thurles Drama Group
3rd: ‘Big Maggie’ – Bridge Drama

Best Supporting Actress – Sally Stephens
Best Supporting Actor – Paul Tobin
Best Actress in a Major Role – Trish Doyle
Best Actor in a Major Role – David McElgunn
Best Director – Stephen Acton

Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Noelle Clarke for her role in ‘Little Gem’
The Audience Cup (Carnew Credit Union Award) – ‘A View from the Bridge’ – Thurles Drama Group
Best Presentation – ‘Animal Farm’ – Rasper Players
The Magic Moment in Theatre (The Pat Connaughton Award) – Bunclody/ Kilmyshall Drama Group for the final picture in ‘April Bright’.

Gallery

Festival 2013

The Winners of the 2013 South Wicklow Drama Festival are…

Confined Section

1st: Lislea Dramatic Players with Rumors.
2nd: Craanford Drama Group with Anyone Could Rob a Bank
3rd: Moyne Drama Group with Sive

Best Play: Rumors by Neil Simon performed by Lislea Dramatic Players
Best Director: Liam Hannaway for Rumors (Lislea Dramatic Players)
Best Actress: Geraldine Delaney in the role of Mena Glavin in Sive (Moyne Drama Group)
Best Actor: Aengus Hannaway in the role of Ken in Rumors (Lislea Dramatic Players)
Best Supporting Actress: Maureen Claffey in the role of Nanna Glavin in Sive (Moyne Drama Group)
Best Supporting Actor: Richard Devereux in the role of Pats Bo Bwee in Sharon’s Grave (Kilmuckridge Drama Group)
Audience Cup (Carnew Credit Union Cup): Out of Order – Bridge Drama
Best Presentation: Moonshine, Wexford Drama Group
Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Perpetual Trophy): Paul Tobin in the role of Richard Willey in Out of Order by Bridge Drama.

Open Section

1st: Bridge Drama with Out of Order
2nd: Wexford Drama Group with Moonshine
3rd: Moat Club, Naas with Eden

Best Play: Out of Order by Ray Cooney performed by Bridge Drama.
Best Director: Pat Whelan for Out of Order (Bridge Drama)
Best Actor: Brendan Farrell in the role of Billy in Eden (Moat Club, Naas)
Best Actress: Mary Condron in the role of Kate Keller in All My Sons (Thurles DG)
Best Supporting Actor: Paul Walsh in the role of Michael in Moonshine (Wexford Drama Group)
Best Supporting Actress: Mary Gibson in the role of Mag Folan in The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group)

Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Noelle Clarke for her role in ‘Little Gem’
The Audience Cup (Carnew Credit Union Award) – ‘A View from the Bridge’ – Thurles Drama Group
Best Presentation – ‘Animal Farm’ – Rasper Players
The Magic Moment in Theatre (The Pat Connaughton Award) – Bunclody/ Kilmyshall Drama Group for the final picture in ‘April Bright’.

Adjudicators Awards

Lislea Dramatic Players for their set for Rumors.
Pat Berney (Craanford DG) for his Comedy Performance in Anyone Could Rob a Bank.
Thomas O ‘Leary for his direction of Moonshine. (Wexford Drama Group)

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