The All Ireland Drama Festival opens in Athlone with music from St Clair's Pipe Band.
There was brisk business in festival programmes and posters at the opening of the 41st All Ireland Drama Festival which runs from 5 to 16 May.
The festival includes performances of 'All My Sons' by Arthur Miller and 'The Gentle Island' by Brian Friel. In addition to the mainstream plays, the festival also has a fringe event which includes cabaret and mime.
Opening night saw Kilmean Drama Group from Cork take to the stage
For the actors and myriad of backup personnel, the performance in Athlone is the climax to months of preparation.
Pat Moylan, Artistic Director at Andrews Lane Theatre, says that the standards and talent at the festival are high and getting higher all the time.
They are now on a par with the professionals.
Padraic O'Farrell, correspondent with The Irish Times, describes the festival as the pinnacle of the amateur drama year.
The World Cup to amateur enthusiasts.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 May 1993. The reporter is Tom Kelly.
