Lots of entertaining and gripping plays in store for attendees

THE 73rd Western Drama Festival kicks off on Friday March 4, with lots of fun, entertaining and gripping plays in store for attendees. The festival takes place over nine nights, finishing on March 12.

Tubbercurry’s festival is among one of the finest in Ireland and always has the top groups in the country participating in it. Amateur drama groups are currently in top flow in preparation for the Amateur Drama Festivals.

There are in all 38 regional festivals nominating participating plays to the final all Ireland Drama competitions. Reaching the All Ireland Drama Competitions is ‘ the Holy Grail’ for every group participating.

Drama groups from as far away as Thurles and Ennis will be travelling to South Sligo to take part in the festival.

Tubbercurry’s very own Phoenix Players will be performing ‘ The Sunshine Boys’ on Monday March 7 in St. Brigid’s Hall.

The cast features Tom Walsh, Pat Feely, Colin Callanan, Mary Barry, Nannett Mc Donagh, Michael Coleman and Grainne Brennan.

Dubliner John P. Kelly will be serving as adjudicator for the event, with the difficult task of choosing the winners of the festival.

John now lives in Ottawa, where he settled 12 years ago. This will be his first time back in Tubbercurry since 2008 when he took part in the festival.

He has previously worked as Head of Radio Drama with RTE and has also worked for the European Union in Switzerland.

You can see the nine fascinating plays on offer for just € 55 if you choose to buy a season ticket which is available from Killoran’s on Teeling St Tubbercurry: 071 9185679.

Admission for each play is € 12, with concession tickets available for € 10.

Pheonix Players, Tom Walsh, Kieran Brennan and Eamon Gallagher in ‘ Poor Beast in the Rain’ the opening play in the Western Drama Festival.

Eileen Davey and Margaret Kilcoyne at the final night of the Western Drama Festival previously.

Charissa and Dearbhla Walsh at the opening of the 70th Western Drama Festival.