Kilmeen Drama Group, directed by Denis O'Sullivan, were crowned RTÉ All-Ireland Drama champions for their performance of Ballyturk by Enda Walsh at the Gala Awards ceremony in Athlone’s Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday May 9th as the curtains came down on the 2026 RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival.
Held under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland (ADCI), the award ceremony for this year's RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival was hosted by Nuala Carey and James Patrice.
Directed by Denis O'Sullivan, Kilmeen Drama Group also received the Abbey Award 2026, presented by Abbey Theatre executive director Mark O'Brien. The group will perform Ballyturk at the Peacock Theatre later this month.
Kilmeen previously won the All-Ireland title four times, most recently in 2013.
Watch: RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival Gala Awards 2026
Bridge Drama, directed by Susan Somers, placed second with Things I Know To Be True by Andrew Bovell, while Dalkey Players, directed by Emma Jane Nulty, came third with Sive by John B Keane.
Denis O’Sullivan also won the Best Director award. Niamh Power of Kilmeen Drama Group received Best Actress for her role as "2" in Ballyturk, while Crona McCarty won Best Stage Setting.
Elsewhere on the night, Dermot Byrne of Dalkey Players won Best Actor for his portrayal of Thomasheen Sean Rua in Sive, Sinéad Rafter of Bridge Drama won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rosie Price in Things I Know To Be True, and Pat Sinnott of Wexford Drama Group won Best Supporting Actor for playing Michael in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me.
Other winners included Toni Knowles of Corofin Dramatic Society for Best Stage Management for Wit and Mark Redmond of Bridge Drama for Best Stage Lighting for Things I Know To Be True.
Liam Motherway of Brideview Drama Group received the Drama League of Ireland Summer School Scholarship for his performance in Da by Hugh Leonard.
