Corn Mill Theatre Company from Carrigallen in County Leitrim were crowned All Ireland Drama Champions with “The Devil’s Ceili” at the gala awards ceremony in Athlone's Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday May 10th as the curtain came down on the 62nd RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival. Corn Mill were winners of the perpetual trophy on two previous occasions in 1998 with Belfry by Billy Roche and in 2005 with Stolen Child by Yvonne Quinn and Bairbre Ni Chaoimh.
Ronan Ward and Gus Ward directed Corn Mill’s production of 'The Devil’s Ceili’ by Philip Doherty and Kevin McGahern. This is the group's third win in their 19 appearances at the finals which they first entered in 1970. The tradition of drama in Carrigallen goes back to the late 1800’s and the present group was founded in 1963 as The Community Players and there has been no break in activity since that time.
It was a glittering evening of celebration in Athlone in a week that saw thousands flock to the Midlands where the very best of amateur drama was on display in the new look Dean Crowe Theatre & Arts Centre.
Speaking before the awards presentation, the new Festival Director, Joe Mac Carrick, remarked on the success of the festival with nine superb productions on stage, a lively and entertaining Festival Club, an absorbing Fringe and a town that looked its best with themed window displays, flags and flower arrangements. He thanked Athlone Town Council, Westmeath County Council, Athlone businesses and the local media for getting full square behind the festival and contributing to the successful event it has become.
Joe also expressed his sincere gratitude to main sponsors RTÉ for their continued support of the festival.
↧
The Devil Delivers For Corn Mill
↧