Tom Ryan Report:
County Tipperary Drama Festival chiefs have paid tribute to the invaluable contribution made by each and every community, town and county, since the inauguration, in 1952, of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland.
Mr Martin O Neill and Mr Donald Duggan, (Chairman and Festival Directors respectively) of the Tipperary Drama Festival addressed audiences at this year’s most enjoyable 9 day festival; latter arbitrated by the multi-talented and highly experienced Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, adjudicator Ms Irene O’Meara, in St Michael’s Community Centre, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
Nine top groups, from around Ireland, including two from Co. Tipperary (Thurles Drama group and Suir Productions), enthralled full houses for the nine nights, at what was described as the most successful festival ever, in the Abbey-side village of Holycross.
It was truly a great tribute to the dedicated organising committee which comprises, (in addition to Martin O‘Neill and Donal Duggan), Rev Celsus Tierney (President), Tommy Lanigan (Treasurer), Claire Ryan (Secretary), Geraldine O’Neill (PRO), Claire Ryan (Sponsorship), Diana Lacey (Raffle), Marty O’Neill, Paddy Connolly, Peg Ryan, Elaine O’ Dwyer, Jim Finn (Photographer), Ger O’Dwyer, Malcolm Shadwell, Michelle Dwan, Andy Slattery (Box Office), Aisling Henchion and Sean Gleeson (Sub Committee).
For Thurles it was a festival to remember. They had come from a victorious night in Clare-Galway, where they had won a number of awards, to receive an enthusiastic standing ovation at Holycross.
Thurles Drama Group Director, Mrs Margaret McCormack, once acted on the professional stage with the great Siobhan McKenna, in Synges “Playboy of the Western World”.
Thurles Drama Group, who have reached the All-Ireland Finals in Athlone on a number of occasions in the past, saw Geraldine Delaney (Sandra), Derek Doherty (Ray), Sarah Feehan (Dairne), Paula Drohinan (Linda), Ken Murphy (Eddie), Dean Rossiter (Lighting), Dick Ryan (Sound), Geraldine Morrisey and Mary Slattery (Stage Managers) and Greta Murphy (Make-up); take to the stage with “Rathmines Road”, by Deirdre Kinihan.
Those in attendance throughout the week included Pat and Anna Wall, Mary Condron (Thurles), Jacqui Lacey (Holycross), John Glasheen (Borrisoleigh), and Archbishop Emeritus Dr Dermot Clifford.
The Tipperary Star Cup for best group in the confined section went to Clann Machua, Mayo for “The
Snapper” by Roddy Doyle, with 2nd and 3rd places going to “The Beauty Queen of Leenane” by Flavour of the Month, Productions, Co Limerick and “Amongst Men“, by Wayside Players, Wexford, respectively.
The Dr Morris Trophy, presented for Best Tipperary Group, went to Thurles Drama Group for “Rathmines Road”.
The Tipp FM Trophy for best group in Open Category, went to Ballyduff Drama Group “The Blackwater
Lightship”, by Colm Toibin, with 2nd and 3rd places going to “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” by Clontarf, Drama Group, Co Dublin and “The Weir” by Brideview, Co Waterford, respectively.
Lisa Shanahan of Suir Productions, Knockavilla, was deemed ‘Best Actress’, in the roll of ‘Phil’ in “A Living Will”.
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