Nine nights of wonderful theatre concluded on Sunday night. Large audiences attended every night and enjoyed hilarious comedy, thought-provoking and emotionally moving drama, in the Community Hall in Doonbeg.
This year’s Festival was dedicated to the memory of founding member, Murt McInerney, who set up the first festival in 1962. Murt would have been proud at how successfully his legacy lives on.
Welcomed news as always, when awards go to Clare groups and this year, we are delighted to see Maura Clancy from Corofin Dramatic Society winning ‘Best Actress’ in the Open Section, for her role as Vivian Bearing in “WIT” by Margaret Edson. ‘Most Promising Actor / Actress’ went to Bodbh Raleigh, also from Corofin Dramatic Society.
‘Best Actor’ in the Confined Section went to Norman Skillen as Gunner in Sliabh Aughty Drama Group’s production of “Outgoing Tide” by Bruce Graham. Gerard Kelly from Cooraclare Drama Group won ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for his role as Fr. Cassidy in “A Wake in the West” by Michael J. Ginnelly, in the Confined Section.
In the Confined Section, five groups competed, vying for points to reach the All-Ireland Confined Finals, which are held in a different province each year. This year’s finals will be held in The Patrician, Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone from the 9th to the 17th of April 2026. Tom Byrne, A.D.A, our Adjudicator awarded First Place to Sliabh Aughty Drama Group from East Clare.
Four groups competed in the Open Section, with the goal of reaching the RTÉ All Ireland Annual Drama Finals, which will take place in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone from Thursday 30th of April to Friday 8th of April. Corofin Dramatic Society got Second Place in the Open Section, with Kilmeen Drama Group, Co. Cork and Ballycogley Players, Co. Wexford getting First and Third Place, respectively.
2026 West Clare Drama Festival Results:
Confined Section:
| Placing | Group | Play |
| 1st | Sliabh Aughty Drama Group | “Outgoing Tide” by Bruce Graham |
| 2nd | Clann Machua Drama Group | “Greta Garbo Came to Donegal” by Frank McGuinness |
| 3rd | Memory Lane Theatre | “Heaven” by Eugene O’Brien |
Best Actor: Norman Skillen as ‘Gunner’ in “Outgoing Tide” – Sliabh Aughty.
Best Supporting Actor: Gerard Kelly as ‘Fr Cassidy’ in “A Wake in the West” – Cooraclare.
Best Actress: Maura Murphy as ‘Paulie’ in “Greta Garbo Came to Donegal” – Clann Machua
Best Supporting Actress: Colette McGinty as ‘Greta’ in “Greta Garbo Came to Donegal”.
Best Producer: Noel Hogan – Sliabh Aughty Drama Group.
Open Section:
| Placing | Group | Play |
| 1st | Kilmeen Drama Group | “Ballyturk” by Enda Walsh |
| 2nd | Corofin Dramatic Society | “WIT” by Margaret Edson |
| 3rd | Ballycogley Players | “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller |
Best Actor: Sean Carthy as ‘Joe Keller’ in “All My Sons” – Ballycogley Players.
Best Supporting Actor: Edward Hayden as ‘George Deever’ in “All My Sons” – Ballycogley.
Best Actress: Maura Clancy as ‘Vivian Bearing’ in “WIT” – Corofin Dramatic Society.
Best Supporting Actress: Sharon Mawe as ‘3’ in “Ballyturk” – Kilmeen Drama Group.
Best Producer: Denis O’Sullivan – Kilmeen Drama Group.
Awards:
Adjudicator’s Award: Laura Hayes – Ballycogley Players.
Best Technical: Declan McCarthy & Ian Flavin – Kilmeen Drama Group.
Best Moment in Theatre: “Sive” – Holycross / Ballycahill Drama Group.
Most Promising Actor / Actress: Bodbh Raleigh – Corofin Dramatic Society.
Most Entertaining Play: “Ballyturk” – Kilmeen Drama Group.
Best Set: “Ballyturk” – Kilmeen Drama Group.
Best Overall Production: Denis O’Sullivan – Kilmeen Drama Group.
