IN PICTURES: Final curtain falls on a stellar Tipperary Drama Festival in Holycross

The Tipperary Drama Festival concluded its nine-night run in Holycross on Saturday, March 28, bringing together drama groups from across Ireland for one of the county’s longest-running cultural events.

The festival’s modern history owes much to the Festival Director Donal Duggan, who has overseen the event in Holycross since 1983.

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Its origins trace back to the 1960s when it was founded by Muintir Na Tíre. After a hiatus in Thurles in 1981, Mr Duggan and Pat McGrath helped revive the festival in Holycross, securing approval from the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland to use the former church hall. The first Holycross festival opened to an audience of just 14, but over the decades attendance has grown steadily.

The festival operates as part of a nationwide network of 34 amateur drama competitions overseen by the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland. Groups compete in Open and Confined sections, earning points towards All Ireland finals.

Mr Duggan manages the schedule, selects plays, and liaises with participating groups. Each performance is adjudicated by a professional theatre director, providing both public commentary and private feedback.

This year’s adjudicator was Geoff O’Keeffe, who has previously overseen major national finals including the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival in Athlone.

The final night featured Greta Garbo Came to Donegal by Frank McGuinness, performed by Clann Machua, a Mayo-based drama group, closing a programme that included Heaven by Balally Players, Moonglow by Tinahely Drama Group, I Never Sang For My Father by Clontarf Drama Group, The Burned Man by Fomoire Productions, Sive by Holycross Ballycahill Drama Group, Da by Brideview Drama Group, Dancing at Lughnasa by Thurles Drama Group, and The Salvage Shop by Nenagh Drama Group.

Adjudicator Geoff O’Keeffe praised the overall standard of the festival. Speaking to the Tipperary Star, he said, “The acting was particularly strong at this year’s festival with some real stand out performances. The level of presentation was also very strong, designers have been more creative in what they are doing. They are not just lighting the actors but they are creating moods and atmospheres.”

He also outlined the process behind adjudication. “We have a whole marking scheme so we look at the whole presentation. The visual and oral presentation of the play. The setting, lighting, sound, costume and so on. And then we would look at how the director has worked with the actors to bring us through the story of the play. Finally we look at the individual acting performances.”

Preparation begins well before opening night. “We get the scripts well in advance and so I would spend time at home studying them. I would ask myself what are the challenges within the play and what does the playwright need for the company to do and then on the night I look and see how the group has interpreted the work.”

He noted that unexpected choices can often define a production. “Sometimes those moments are magic moments when you didn’t expect something and it really works and lands. So it’s about finding ways that honour the playwright but also put a fresh stamp on the work.”

Festival Chairperson Martin O’Neill described the festival as a highlight of the year. “It is a brilliant nine nights every year. We are lucky to have some of the best in amateur drama around the country. We have had some famous players come in here through the years from the great Peg Power down in South Tipp to Simon Delaney whose now in RTÉ and Lyric FM. They have all threaded the boards here in their time.”

He added that audiences continue to travel significant distances, noting that last year visitors came from as far as Sligo.

Committee member and Tipp FM presenter Jim Finn traced his own connection with the festival back to the 1970s. “My earliest memory of the original Drama Festival in Tipperary was in 1974. I can remember all the plays in the 70s. I can remember seeing all of the John B Keane plays. These plays always brought in the crowds.”

He also recalled productions of Seán O’Casey such as Juno and the Paycock and The Shadow of a Gunman.

Awards for the festival were distributed across multiple categories. In the overall section, Brideview Drama Group’s Da took the Hannifin Cup for the most entertaining play. The Gallagher Award for most promising actor or actress went to Jade Ryan as Katie Tansey in The Salvage Shop by Nenagh Drama Group, who also received the Dr. Morris Memorial Cup for their production.

Best set overall was awarded to Balally Players for Heaven, who also won best lighting. Best sound went to Conor O’Connell, Paddy Connolly, and Claire Ryan for Sive. The first adjudicator award was given to Patrick Fogarty, author of The Burned Man, with the second adjudicator award going to Kevin Ryan as Eddie in The Salvage Shop.

In the Confined section, Daniel Murray earned the Joe Boyle Award for best actor as Elijah Bright in The Burned Man by Fomoire Productions, while Ann Hickey won best actress as Maxine in Moonglow.

Supporting awards went to Sean Doyle as Conroy in The Burned Man and Collette McGinty as Greta Garbo in Greta Garbo Came to Donegal by Clann Machua. The Burned Man also claimed first place for the Tipperary Star Cup, with Patrick Fogarty recognised as best producer.

In the Open section, Declan O’Loughlin was named best actor for his role as Mal in Heaven by Clontarf Players. Best actress went to Helen Aherne as Mother in Da by Brideview Drama Group.

Supporting awards were given to John Furlong as Tom Garrison in I Never Sang For My Father and Stacey Taylor as Chris in Dancing at Lughnasa. Clontarf Players placed second with I Never Sang For My Father, while Brideview Drama Group took third with Da. Balally Players’ Heaven won first place for the TIPP FM Trophy and best production, with Sean Murphy receiving the Frank Gleeson Award.

Behind the scenes, the festival continues to rely on a dedicated committee led by Festival Chairperson Martin O’Neill and Festival Director Donal Duggan, supported by a wide network of volunteers whose work ensures the smooth running of the event each year.

The festival also benefits from the long-standing support and patronage of Michael Lowry TD, a consistent presence at the event down through the years in Holycross.

Key roles include treasurer Tommy Lanigan, secretary Claire Ryan, and P.R.O. Geraldine O’Neill, while sponsorship is overseen by Claire Ryan and the raffle is organised by Diana Lacey.

Technical operations are managed by Marty O’Neill and Paddy Connolly, with additional committee support from Peg Ryan, Elaine O’Dwyer, Jim Finn and Ger O’Dwyer. Andy Slattery oversees the box office, while Jim Finn also serves as festival photographer. The festival is held under the Presidency of the parish priest Fr. Celcus Tierney.

With more than four decades of history in Holycross, the Tipperary Drama Festival remains a vital stage for amateur theatre, combining competition with community and sustaining a tradition that continues to evolve.

In Holycross, the stage may be modest, but for nine nights it holds a mirror to a nation, proving that amateur drama, at its best, is anything but amateur.

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