Speaking at the official opening of the 2026 Roscommon Drama Festival, committee chairperson Mairead Nally said the committee was truly honoured to have Paula Dempsey as Adjudicator, highlighting her “insight, encouragement and thoughtful critique.”
A special welcome was extended by the chairperson to Canon Eugene McLoughlin, who as President of the festival over the past number of years has helped ensure its success and continues to take a very active interest in all aspects of the annual event.
The festival was officially opened by Roscommon native Anthony Keigher who has burst onto the drama scene both nationally and internationally.
Anthony expressed his delight at being asked to perform the honours, quipping that “anyone who has organised anything in theatre knows it’s an act of heroism that looks suspiciously like madness. Speaking of the special guest, Ms Nally said: “Despite his youth, Anthony has made an outstanding contribution to theatre as actor, director, producer and playwright, bringing talent, creativity and dedication to every role.”
Paying tribute to the festival committee, Anthony said: “Festivals like this don’t just appear. They take an enormous amount of work, patience and goodwill. It brings people together and creates something special for the community here in Roscommon.
“Theatre is community” he added. “It’s where we tell the stories of our lives – the joy, the struggles, the losses – and we share them with one another.”
The curtains closed on the very successful 2026 Roscommon Drama Festival on Saturday 14th March with a very impressive performance of the John B Keane play Sive by Dalkey Players and the presentation of awards in the Open and Confined sections.
Welcoming everyone to the Arts Centre the Chairperson of the Festival Committee, Mairead Nally said that the Festival had grown so dramatically over the years and had firmly established itself as a ‘standout event” on the Drama Circuit with top plays, wonderful groups and fantastic audiences.
Mairead went on to thank the adjudicator Paula Dempsey for “her thoughtful observations and careful attention to detail”. The chairperson noted her “caring attitude and encouragement of all aspects of Amateur Drama.” “You were” she said “a pleasure to deal with and played no small part in the overall success of our wonderful Festival.”
She thanked “Anthony Keigher who opened the festival and whose genuine sociability set the tone for the whole event.” “We wish you luck” she stated in your upcoming production of Lourdes the Musical, which is not to be missed.
“I want to acknowledge with thanks Roscommon County Council’s contribution through our
Festival And Events Grants, also groups, actors, set crew, backstage crew, stage managers, lighting and sound engineers, costume and make up people and transport coordinators.” “You are all essential components of our Festival” she said.
A very special word of thanks was given to the sponsors and advertisers, all who provided prizes for the raffles, and the Festival Clubs who provided refreshments and a very warm welcome after each night’s performance.
Roscommon Drama Festival 2026 | RESULTS
VINCENT MAHON MEMORIAL DLI SCHOLARSHIP
Jayde Ryan for the role of Katie Tansey | The Nenagh Players – The Salvage Shop
PAT CONNAUGHTON MEMORIAL AWARD “MAGICAL MOMENT IN THEATRE”
The manipulation of Nana Glavin by Mena Glavin and Thomasheen Sean Rua | Dalkey Players – Sive
ADJUDICATOR’S AWARD
The Bog Shadows | Dalkey Players – Sive
BEST TECHNICAL AWARD
Corofin Drama Group – Wit
BEST STAGE SETTING
Dalkey Players – Sive
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS CONFINED
Aishling Costello for the role of Mary Lacey | Upstage Players – The Year of the Hiker
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR CONFINED
Stephen Leo for the role of Willie Dolly | Upstage Players – The Year of the Hiker
BEST ACTRESS CONFINED
Marie Coneran for the role of Betty | Glenamaddy Players – Chapatti
BEST ACTOR CONFINED
Padraic Newman for the role of Dan | Glenamaddy Players – Chapatti
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS OPEN
Sharon Nealon for the role of Nanna Glavin | Dalkey Players – Sive
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR OPEN
Paul Stack for the role of Mike Glavin | Dalkey Players – Sive
BEST ACTRESS OPEN
Maura Clancy for the role of Vivian Bearing | Corofin Dramatic Society – Wit
BEST ACTOR OPEN
Dermot Byrne for the role of Thomasheen Sean Rua | Dalkey Players – Sive
BEST DIRECTOR CONFINED
Coman Keaveny | Glenamaddy Players – Chapatti
MAIN AWARD CONFINED
2 Upstage Players – The Year of the Hiker
1 Glenamaddy Players – Chapatti
BEST DIRECTOR OPE
Emma Jane Nulty | Dalkey Players – Sive
MAIN AWARD OPEN
3 The Nenagh Players – The Salvage Shop
2 Corofin Dramatic Society – Wit
1 Dalkey Players – Sive
PERPETUAL AWARD
Dalkey Players – Sive