Prizes handed out as Drama Festival comes to a close

Newry Drama Festival Chairperson, Kate Carragher in her closing remarks, thanked audiences, patrons sponsors and groups for their contribution to making the 70th festival a very successful event.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Mar 2024, 10:52 BST

The Clontarf Players group who won the 2024 Newry Drama Festival.

The Clontarf Players group who won the 2024 Newry Drama Festival.

She noted that three of the five plays in the festival are now through to the All Ireland finals in Athlone an indication of the quality of work seen throughout the week.

She thanked the committee who she said, “though small in number, all worked tirelessly for months to ensure that the festival maintained its reputation of being a flagship on the Irish circuit”.

She reiterated her hope that Newry Drama Festival would continue to flourish throughout the 21st century and beyond.

Newpoint Players, from left, Pauline Lynch, Tom Carvill, Seán Treanor, Gerry Stembridge, Mickey Brannighan, Cormac Begley, Leo Reynolds, Frances Morgan, Declan McConaghy and Siobhan Carragher. The group, who were runners up, also took home best costumes for Bernie McParland, best actor for Mickey Brannighan and most ambitious choice.

Newpoint Players, from left, Pauline Lynch, Tom Carvill, Seán Treanor, Gerry Stembridge, Mickey Brannighan, Cormac Begley, Leo Reynolds, Frances Morgan, Declan McConaghy and Siobhan Carragher. The group, who were runners up, also took home best costumes for Bernie McParland, best actor for Mickey Brannighan and most ambitious choice.

The award winners were…

First: Clontarf Players “ Radium Girls”

Second: Newpoint Players “ In the Shadow of the Glen; Reimagined”

The 2024 Newry Drama Festival committee, with adjudicator Gerry Stembridge.

The 2024 Newry Drama Festival committee, with adjudicator Gerry Stembridge.

Third: Ballyduff. Drama Group “ The Ferryman”

Most ambitious choice : Newpoint Players”

Best Director : Myra Maguire, Clontarf Players

Best Actor: Mickey Brannigan,Newpoint Players

Mickey Brannigan of Newpoint Players who won best actor with adjudicator Gerry Stembridge and Chairperson Kate Carragher.

Mickey Brannigan of Newpoint Players who won best actor with adjudicator Gerry Stembridge and Chairperson Kate Carragher.

Best Actress: Ellen O’Malley, Clontarf Players

Best Supporting Actor: Ronan Richardson, Clontarf Players

Best Supporting Actress: Fiona Coughlan, Ballyduff Drama Group

Best young Actor: William Anglim,Balally Players

Audience Award: Clontarf Players

Best Stage Manager: Noel Hayes, Ballyduff Drama Group

Best Decor: Donie O’Sullivan, Ballyduff Drama Group

Best Lighting: Clontarf Players

Best Moment in Theatre: Clontarf Players

Best Music and Sound: Catriona Connelly, Clontarf Players

Best Costumes: Alison Rodge’s and Bernie McParland, Newpoint Players

Best Technical Production: Ballyduff Drama Group

Congratulations to Clontarf on their success in lifting many of the awards!