Western Drama Fest ends on a high, with local actress winning award

FINAL NIGHT OF WESTERN DRAMA FEST 2018. PICS: TOM CALLANAN.

AS the Western Drama Festival closed on its 75 th year, Aileen O’Donnell, daughter of Séan O’Dowd, one of the founding members in 1944 said she was honoured to be present at the event.

She said: “It was an honour to bear witness to the Diamond Jubilee of the Western Drama Festival, a festival which has contributed to making Tubbercurry a hub of creativity and culture in the North West.

“The Gaelic for Tubbercurrry means ‘ the well on the rock’. The well is a well of creativity which abounds in the area in music, drama and art. The ‘Rock’ is the bedrock of creativity and culture that emanates a wealth of confidence equipping artists and our community to compete at home and abroad.”

She wished the Western Drama Festival well with the next chapter for the festival.

Brendan McGowan, festival Chairman, thanked the groups, the audience and the many sponsors who have contributed to an exceptional festival for 2018.

The Western Drama Festival committee look forward to their One Act Festival in late November.

The results of the competition were as follows:

1st in the Open Section - Wexford Drama Group with ‘Proof ’

2nd Bradán with ‘Conservatory’, local actress Helena Stout playing the leading role.

1st in Confined Section , Schull Drama Group with ‘No Mans Land’

2nd Kiltimagh with ‘ The Cripple of Inishmaan’.

Claire Mc Loughlin of the Phoenix Players Tubbercurry, received the Best Actress award for her part in Buried Child.

Best Actress in the confined section was Claire McLoughlin, as Shelly in the Phoenix Players’ presentation of ‘Buried Child’, by Sam Shepard.

Phoenix Players Director Peter Davey receives the Maeve Walsh perpetual award for the Best moment in theatre, in the Phoenix Players’ presentation of ‘Buried Child’. Joe Walsh presents the trophy.

Jacinta Flannery presents the Flannery family award for the Audience Award to the Director of Brideview Jack Aherne - Drama group for their presentation of Stolen Child. The trophy is titled the Audience Award.

Ann Flannery of Letterkenny Music and Drama Group receives the trophy for the ‘most imaginative production’ of the play ‘Beneath an Irish Sky’ by Kieran Kelly.

Committee members of the Western Drama Festival on the last night of the 75th Festival.

Large crowds attended the 75th Western Drama Festival.