Ennis the Clare winners of Cavan Drama Festival

The long trip from Clare to Cavan was well worth it for Ennis Players as they claimed the top prize in the open competition of Cavan Drama Festival. Their take on 'The Colleen Bawn’ by Dion Boucicault was selected for the premier accolade following an enthralling program of entertainment.

Corofin's rendition of Martin McDonagh’s ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ was second and Carrigallen’s Corn Mill Theatre came third with the Brian Friel classic ‘Philadelphia, Here I come’.

Local heroes the Sillan Players from Shercock won out in the confined category with their performance of Seamus O’Rourke’s ‘The Trappe Family’. Bailieborough Drama Group came second with ‘The Tide’ by Tara Marie Lovett while the Phoenix Players performance of Flann O’Brien’s ‘The Third Policeman’ took third.

The 71st Cavan Drama Festival, held in the Townhall Cavan Arts Space, featured works by Neil Simon, Tom Stoppard, and David Lindsay-Abaire as it ran from Friday, March 17 to Sunday March 26.

Adjudicator Tom Doherty had his work cut out for himself in separating the well received works. The last 71 years has seen the festival go from strength to strength and this years programme went toward cementing that reputation.

In the Open section Brendan Quinlivan won best actor for Hardress Cregan, while Saoirse Byrne's portrayal of Eily O'Connor won the best actress award, both from the Ennis Players show 'The Colleen Bawn’. In the confined section best actor went to Brendan Farrelly who played Freddy Trapp in 'The Trapp Family', while best actress went to Geraldine Condron who played Nat in 'Down the Rabbit Hole'.

The Elegant Gems trophy (adjudicators award) went to Corrafin for 'The Cripple of Innismann'. The Ray O'Connor memorial award for the most promising young performer went to Ciaran Lenane who played Bartley in 'The Cripple of Innismann'.

The Scanlon trophy for the best set went to Clare's Sliabh Aughty Drama Group perform ‘Rabbit Hole’ by David Lindsay-Abaire. The Philip Cullivan award for stagecraft went to Corina and Sharon Farrelly of Silian Players.

The Pete Ward Trophy for stage presentation went to Phoenix Players who perform Flann O’Brien’s ‘The Third Policeman'. The scholarship award went to Claudia Stokes O'Dwyer of Dakey Players playing a very evocative Hermoine in Sarah Ruhl’s ‘Dead Man’s Cell Phone’.

Vice Chairperson, Dr Rachel Cullivan-Elliott, said that the quality of the participants made this year's festival: “In all my years in Cavan Drama Festival this was the best 10 nights of drama on the Townhall stage. It was 10 strong, interesting, varied plays. It was absolutely superb, the acting was amazing both in the open and confined section. There was very little between the groups.”

“We had good crowds. Almost all of the nights were very well supported. I don't know if that is anything to do with the fact that the committee went out and got themselves soaked on St Patrick's Day to promote the festival with a float. I have to give credit to Ian Elliot for all his work,” Rachel said.

Paddy Farrelly of the Sillan Players drama group said that all involved were delighted to secure first place and that this now qualifies them for the All Irelands: “We are over the moon. The group now go forward to the All Ireland Drama final. We have received numerous awards in almost every category. The wins in Cavan is the latest win and one we are all very proud of.”

Paddy says that there will be two more shows before the commencement of the All Ireland final and the group will stage the play in St Patrick's Hall in Shercock on Good Friday.

The Vice Chair of Cavan Drama Festival said that there was a lot of people who contributed to the success of the festival: “We have pupils from the different local schools who come and act as MCs on the night. All were fantastic, but some were stellar. They could have careers as MCs or on the stage and we love to see the schools involved. We thank the patrons and the sponsors. We are the second longest running festival in the country and that is because of the support that we get and the hard work of the committee who continue to make the Cavan Drama Festival what it is.”

“The committee are fantastic. It is incredible achievement to run 10 nights of drama and it requires a lot of work. The Townhall is a great venue and a credit to everyone who makes that available,” Rachel concluded.