Sabina to open All-Ireland Drama Finals

Sabina Higgins, wife of President Michael D Higgins, will perform the opening ceremony of the 2025 All-Ireland (Confined) Drama Finals on Friday next, April 25th, in Claremorris. 

Mrs Higgins was born and raised in Cloonrane, Ballindine, and attended Ballindine National School and the Convent of Mercy Secondary School in Claremorris. She has retained a close connection with the area throughout her life.

The gala awards ceremony, dinner and closing celebration will be held at the McWilliam Park Hotel on Sunday evening, May 4th.

An open draw decided the running order for the qualifying plays and the full programme is as follows:

Friday, April 25th - Enniscorthy Theatre Company ‘The Seafarer’ By Conor McPherson; Saturday, April 26th - Upstage Players ‘The Weir’, also by Conor McPherson; Sunday, April 27th - St Patrick's Drama Group ‘Woman And Scarecrow’ by Marina Carr; Monday, April 28th - Sliabh Aughty Drama Group ‘Dancing At Lughnasa’ by Brian Friel; Tuesday, April 29th - Tinahely Variety Group ‘Thy Will Be Done’ by Michael Carey; Wednesday, April 30th - Clann Machua Drama Group ‘The Snapper’ by Roddy Doyle; Thursday, May 1st - Phoenix Players Tubbercurry ‘Translations’ by Brian Friel; Friday, May 2nd - Castleblayney Players ‘The Woodsman’ by Steven Fechter; Saturday, May 3rd - Glenamaddy Players ‘Class’ by Iseult Golden and David Horan.

“It is truly a pleasure for me to open the All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals,” Sabina Higgins told the Western People. “I am especially delighted to be part of this occasion because of my lifelong association with drama and the arts. 

"I have always believed in the profound impact that arts and culture have on our lives. They enrich our communities, nurture our spirits, and provide us with a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

“Over the nine nights of the finals, we will witness some of the very best drama in the country. We will be entertained, challenged, and inspired. These performances will remind us of the power of storytelling, of live performance, and the importance of the arts in our communities. So let us celebrate this occasion, support the performers, and most importantly, enjoy every moment of this fantastic festival.” 

Festival director, Peter McCallig, said the committee was delighted and honoured to have Sabina Higgins open the festival.

“The festival runs for nine nights and will bring an amazing line-up of plays and groups to Claremorris. It is a very strong line-up this year,” Peter said.

A reception will be held in La Casa Tapas and Wine on Dalton Street, on Friday, April 25th, at 4.30pm for the members of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland and sponsors. This will be followed at 7pm by a cheese and wine reception in the Town Hall Theatre followed by the official opening of the festival at 8pm. The festival club will be in the Town Hall following the play, with music.

In addition to the main drama competition, the town will also come alive with a diverse programme of Fringe Festival events, running alongside the finals and designed to celebrate creativity in many forms.

The festivities begin on Saturday, April 26th, with a rich cultural offering. Declan Drohan will present an engaging session on the poetry of Paul Durcan in the Claremorris Library at 2pm followed by a historic walk along Dalton Street, guided by local historian Pat Keane, commencing at 3pm. An art exhibition by the Claremorris Artists Group will open at The Gallery on Mount Street at 4pm, while the Westport Singers will deliver a choral music performance in the covered area at The Square at 6pm.

The following day, Sunday, April 27th, promises more artistic flair, beginning with a performance by the Castlerea Brass and Reed Band at Clare Lake, McMahon Park at 2pm. Artist Kay Brennan will present an art demonstration and lecture in The Town Hall Studio at 12 noon, offering insight into her creative process.

Throughout the entire nine days of the festival, a photography exhibition by the local Camera Club will be on display, offering a visual diary of the community through the lens of its talented members.

On Wednesday, April 30th, the Claremorris Artists Group will once again exhibit their work at The Gallery, Mount Street, with the exhibition open to the public from 2 to 6pm. This venue will continue to host exhibitions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, May 1st to 3rd, from 2 to 6pm daily, providing an ideal opportunity to enjoy local artistic talent.

Thursday will also feature a special introduction to classical music, presented by Andrew Newman at 1.30pm, offering an accessible and enjoyable entry point into the genre.

The final day of the Fringe Festival, Saturday, May 3rd, begins with a drama workshop led by Padraic McIntyre at 9am in the Family Resource Centre. Later in the afternoon, the festival will conclude in high spirits with a lively traditional music session in the covered area at The Square at 4pm.

“I would like to thank all our sponsors, especially CBE this year's title sponsor. Sponsorship makes the festival possible," said Peter McCallig. 

A separate awards night will take place in the McWilliam Park Hotel on May 4th. All the preliminary Drama Festivals will be represented at this event, as well as the groups who competed in the finals. Awards will be presented following the meal and this event will be live-streamed.

“I would also like to thank all the committee who have worked hard on the arrangements,” Peter said. “Starting with our secretary, Linda Beirne, and Fringe Festival Director Mary Esler, along with a dedicated committee comprising Carmel Glynn, Michael Brennan, Pat Walsh, Colm Kitching, Kay Brennan, Eileen Connolly, Sean Moran, Mary Murphy, Liam Newman, Anne Maloney, Breda Walsh, John Farragher, Jimmy Walsh, Rachael Comer, Patsy Kelly, Mike Connolly, Marie Murphy, Pat Doyle, John Russell, Marguerite Doyle and Noel Armstrong. 

"They have worked tirelessly to bring this ambitious and vibrant festival to life.” 

The All-Ireland Finals have been held in Claremorris on four previous occasions, 1981, 1992 and 1997, and the most recent being 2014 when Kilmuckridge Drama Group won with Conor McPherson’s ‘The Weir'.