The West Clare Drama Festival 2026 of full-length plays which takes place in the Community Hall, Doonbeg from Saturday, 7th to Sunday 15th, of March 2026 is busy putting final preparations in place.
Under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland, (ADCI), featuring a variety of plays from comedy to tragedy, from hilarity to serious drama, presented by theatre groups from across Ireland. All nine nights of dramatic performances will be critiqued each night by our Adjudicator, Tom Byrne, A.D.A., a member of the Association of Drama Adjudicators, Ireland. Allen Flynn, owner of the Old Ground Hotel, and Co-managing Director of the Flynn Hotel Collection, with hotels in Ennis, Kilkenny and Waterford, will officially open the Festival on Saturday, 7th of March.
Tom has over 45 years involvement with amateur drama and competed in his first festival in 1979, having directed over 120 different productions. Along with winning numerous awards as a director, he holds the unique record of qualifying productions in six successive All Ireland Open One Act Finals, directing the winning productions in 2005, 2009 and 2010. Since becoming an adjudicator in 2011, Tom has adjudicated at ADCI Festivals throughout the four provinces of Ireland, including the 2016 All Ireland One Act Finals, (Dundrum), the 2018 All Ireland Confined Finals, (South Wicklow – Carnew), and the 2024 RTE All Ireland Drama Finals, Athlone.
Since his return from New York in 1995, Allen has been actively involved in the Tourism and Hospitality sector. He also has a huge personal interest in the Arts. Particularly with Ennis Players, The Drama League of Ireland, Glór, Ennis Arts Festival Ltd., and Teac Damsa.
This year’s Festival welcomes five groups competing in the Confined Section, hoping to reach the Finals which take place in Carrickmore, Co. Tyrone. We particularly welcome neighbouring Cooraclare Drama Group with their production of “A Wake in the West” by Michael J. Ginnelly.
Four groups, Holycross / Ballycahill Drama Group, Corofin Dramatic Society, Kilmeen Drama Group and Ballycogley Players in the Open Section will vie for points, culminating in reaching the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Finals, which take place every year at the Dean Crowe Theatre in Athlone. The winner of the Confined Finals in Carrickmore will open the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival on the 30th of April.
Andrew Killeen, Chairman of the Festival Committee, “in putting the final preparations in place for hosting the West Clare Drama Festival in ‘the long village’, Doonbeg”, looks forward to welcoming all nine groups and is proud to say, “We have a programme that has something for everyone each night. As well as the groups that love to return to us each year, we extend a warm West Clare welcome to Dooega
Drama Group from Co. Mayo and Memory Lane Theatre from Co. Kerry. Come along and enjoy a feast of drama, and indeed our hospitality. And of course, bring a friend”.
Audiences can look forward to a different play each night, highlighting the incredible talent of amateur theatre groups in Ireland.
Season Tickets costing €90 each with Nightly Tickets costing €15 for Adults and €8 per child or student. The doors are open each night at 7.15pm and Curtain is up at 8.00pm, except on Sunday 15th, the final night, when the doors will open at 6.45pm and Curtain is up at 7.30pm, followed by the final adjudication and Awards Ceremony.
For a full line up of all the plays and their details, please see local posters, or visit the festival website.
