The 2026 RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival, held under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI), will take place from 30th April to 8th May in the Dean Crowe Theatre, Athlone.
The nine finalist drama groups include a record four groups from Co. Wexford. The plays to be performed by the finalists are wide-ranging and include several amateur premieres, among them Ballyturk by Enda Walsh, Wit by Margaret Edson and Things I Know to Be True by Andrew Bovell. They also include classics such as Sive by John B. Keane and two productions of Hugh Leonard’s Da 2026, produced in the writer's centenary year.
For a second year, the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Gala Awards will stream live on RTÉ Culture at 9pm on Saturday 9th May. With awards for achievements both on and off stage, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Stage Design, the stakes are high to see who will win the coveted Perpetual Trophy and The Abbey Theatre Award.
The nine finalists are:
Balally Players with Heaven by Eugene O`Brien
Wexford Drama Group with Someone who`ll watch over me by Frank McGuinness
Kilmeen Drama Group with Ballyturk by Enda Walsh
Bunclody Kilmyshall Drama Group with Da by Hugh Leonard
Ballycogley Payers with All my sons by Arthur Miller
Dalkey Players with Sive by John B Keane
Brideview Drama Group with Da by Hugh Leonard
Bridge Drama Group with Things I know to be true by Andrew Bovell
Corofin Dramatic Society with Wit by Margaret Edson
Speaking at the launch of this year’s festival in the Abbey Theatre, RTÉ Director-General, Kevin Bakhurst said: "As RTÉ marks 100 years of public service media in Ireland this year, RTÉ is proud to continue its support of the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival which, as the national festival for amateur drama, is a wonderful celebration of creativity and community across Ireland.
The passion which the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival inspires among so many local drama groups who so proudly represent their communities as they compete for one of nine prestigious places in the final in Athlone is one of the reasons we are delighted to be part of this wonderful occasion.
Congratulations to the nine drama groups who will take to the stage as finalists in this year’s festival. To come through regional heats that span the length and breadth of the country and make it this far is a great achievement, particularly with the high standards we have come to expect from talented amateur drama groups across Ireland."
While some performances have already sold out, tickets can be booked through the Dean Crowe website or at the theatre box office - phone (090) 6492129. Stream the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Gala Awards live via RTÉ Culture at 9pm on Saturday May 9th.
