All-Ireland win provides the perfect ending for Galway drama!
It was the greatest night ever in the proud history of amateur drama in the Glenamaddy area as Glenamaddy Players made history by winning the All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals for the first time ever.
There were emotional scenes in Tyrone last Saturday week – and then again in Glenamaddy during subsequent celebrations – as they crowned a memorable season with their award-winning performance of Chapatti by Galway playwright Christian O’Reilly.
This historic success was a timely reward for perseverance; the Glenamaddy Players have been in the last twelve All-Ireland finals, finishing either second or third in each of the past six years.
But the village drama roots go much deeper than that. There’s a 60-year tradition of drama in Glenamaddy, indeed up on 100 years in all.
“We are so pleased for all the people who have been involved over the years. Those who have passed on are very much in our thoughts too at this time,” said a spokesperson for the Glenamaddy Players.
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The group have been performing Chapatti to great acclaim over recent months – and on Thursday, April 16, they performed the play at the ADCI All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals in Carrickmore, County Tyrone.
When the results were announced that Saturday night, Glenamaddy emerged as the overall winner, taking the Premier Award.
We are so pleased for all the people who have been involved over the years
Glenamaddy Players’ success sparked jubilant and emotional scenes amongst a large group of supporters who had travelled to Tyrone for the ceremony.
Then on Sunday night there was a phenomenal turnout by the community back in Glenamaddy. That show of support on Sunday night included bonfires en route to Glenamaddy, with people from adjoining areas turning out to add their congratulations.
There was further recognition for Glenamaddy on Saturday night in the individual categories, with nominations for Coman Keaveny as Best Director, Paraic Newman as Best Actor, and Marie Coneran as Best Actress.
“I was amazed at the turnout on Sunday night,” Coman reflected this week, while also expressing delight that the playwright, Christian O’Reilly, was present at those celebrations as well as John Keane, Chairperson of The Amateur Drama Council of Ireland.
Glenamaddy Players will stage two final performances of their All-Ireland winning play in Glenamaddy Town Hall Theatre this Saturday and Sunday at 8pm; booking via Eventbrite.