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23 Oct 2025
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23 Oct 2025
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The nine finalist drama groups pictured in Athlone on Sunday, April 13 for the official draw for the line-up of the RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival Final
The 2025 RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival, held under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI), will take place from May 8 - 16 in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone.
As part of this year’s All-Ireland Drama Festival (AIDF), the nine finalist drama groups (pictured) gathered in Athlone on Sunday, April 13 to attend the official draw for the line-up for the RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival Final.
The plays included in this year’s RTÉ AIDF Final are wide-ranging and include several adaptations for stage, a premiere of an Irish adaptation of a play, two amateur premieres, a farce and a black comedy.
READ NEXT: All new festival celebrating the arts in all it forms coming to Longford town
The plays are;
Thursday, May 8 - Ballycogley Players perform ‘Lend Me A Tenor’
Friday, May 9 - Brideview Drama Group perform ‘The Weir’
Saturday, May 10 - Bradán Players perform ‘Little Gem’
Sunday, May 11 - Corofin Dramatic Society perform ‘The Weir’
Monday, May 12 - Ballyduff Drama Group perform ‘The Blackwater Lightship’
Tuesday, May 13 - Wexford Drama Group perform ‘Skylight’
Wednesday, May 14 - Balally Players perform ‘Ulster American’
Thursday, May 15 - Bridge Drama perform ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’
Friday, May 16 - Newpoint Players perform ‘Ghetto’
For the first time, the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Gala Awards will stream live on www.rte.ie/culture at 9pm on Saturday, May 17.
With awards for achievements both on and off stage, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Stage Design, the stakes are high to see who will win the coveted Perpetual Trophy and The Abbey Theatre Award.
New Festival Director, Michael McGlone, said, “I look forward to welcoming all nine finalist groups to Athlone, including the three groups who are returning to the final after a period of absence.
"I have attended a number of drama festivals around the country and I have been so impressed with the calibre of productions taking place on our stages.
"With such a high standard now being consistently achieved in amateur drama throughout the island of Ireland and with a wonderful programme of performances lined up, audiences are in for a real treat at the RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival in May. I can’t wait.”
Tickets for the festival are on sale and can be booked through the Dean Crowe website deancrowetheatre.com or at the theatre box office, phone (090) 6492129. Admission €25 (includes a €2 Booking Fee). Concessions are available.
Stream the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Gala Awards live on www.rte.ie/culture at 9pm on Saturday, May 17.
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