2023 South Wicklow Drama Festival
The 2023 South Wicklow Drama Festival took place from Saturday 28th – Sunday 26th March in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew.
Anna Walker who is a member of the Association of Adjudicators (ADA) was the adjudicator. The 2023 Festival was launched on Thursday 9th February in Jim Byrne’s by Mr. Rory Kinsella. We had a wonderful week welcoming back our patrons, drama groups and friends for the 2023 drama festival.
Five of the participating groups qualified for their respective All Ireland Finals. Congratulations and best wishes to Kilmuckridge, Lislea, Thurles, Wayside and Wexford.
The Winners of the 2023 South Wicklow Drama Festival
Confined Section
1st – Kilmuckridge Drama Group – ‘Sive’
2nd – Wayside Players – ‘The Field’
3rd – Lislea Dramatic Players – ‘See How They Run’
Open Section
1st – Thurles Drama Group – ‘The Seafarer’
2nd – Wexford Drama Group – ‘The Father’
3rd – Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group – ‘The Night Alive’
Confined Section Awards:
Best Supporting Actor – Ben Murphy, Wayside
Best Supporting Actress – Ellen Hannaway, Lislea
Best Actor – John Hearne, Kilmuckridge
Best Actress – Margo Whelan, Kilmuckridge
Best Director – Anthony O’Connor, Kilmuckridge
Open Section Awards:
Best Supporting Actress – Margaret Farrell, Bunclody-Kilmyshall
Best Supporting Actor – David McElgunn, Thurles
Best Actress – Seona O’Connor, Wexford
Best Actor – Andy Doyle, Wexford
Best Director – Margaret McCormack, Thurles
Adjudicator Award 1 – Enniscorthy Drama Group for putting on a production by one of their own.
Adjudicator Award 2 – Eugene McLoughlin as Bull McCabe, Wayside.
Adjudicator Award 3 – Stage Management Team from Lislea Dramatic Players.
Best Comedy Performance (Jim Tighe Trophy) – Matt Tracey as Ivan, Thurles.
Magic Moment in Theatre (Pat Connaughton Award) – Director Kieran Tyrrell & Actor Billy Canning for the finding of the turnip. (Bunclody-Kilmyshall)
Audience Cup (Altura Credit Union Award) – Thurles Drama Group – ‘The Seafarer’
Best Presentation – Bunclody-Kilmyshall DG, ‘The Night Alive’