Westport hosted Irish language drama festival
Winners in the National Drama Festival for Irish language amateur dramatics.
The National Drama Festival for Irish language amateur dramatics held in Westport Town Hall Theatre, Westport on the weekend of March 20 to 22nd and was a huge success.
Performances included a variety of genres, including full length plays, one-act plays and newly written plays. The reviewers Ann Marie Horan and Mícheál Ó Meallaigh paid tribute to all the participating drama groups at the awards ceremony.
“I extend my heartiest congratulations to everyone who took part in the 2026 festival,” said Muireann Ní Dhroighneáin, National Coordinator of Performing Arts for An tOireachtas. “We thank all those who assisted with organising this year’s festival and Westport Town Hall Theatre team. We’re looking forward to continuing our work with Irish language-based drama companies, to encouraging new companies, and together strengthening and fostering amateur dramatics across the country.”
Cumann Drámaíochta Naomh Pádraig, Westport were presented with Play of the Festival for ‘An Rud Eatarthu’ by Séamas Mac Eachmharcaigh for the excellent directing, producing and acting in their newly penned play.
Aisteoirí Bhréanainn, was presented with an award for directing and producing the play ‘Scaoil leis an gCaid’ by Breandán Mac Gearailt for the accomplished production of a difficult script and the direction of a large cast, and with the use of elements such as music and mime. Marina Ní Dhubháin directed the play with support from Sláine Ní Chathalláin and Bríd Criomhthain as assistant directors.
The 2027 National Drama Festival will be held in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone from March 18th to 20th.
