Auditions for Dunkineely Reunion & Killaghtee Festival musicial set for next month

The Dunkineely Reunion & Killaghtee Festival 2026 will start in August with a musical - and a casting call has been put out.

The auditions, which take place on Saturday, March 7, at 5pm, for the production on August 19, to September 5, are open to all people aged 11-60+. 

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An accompanist will be in attendance. Auditions will be conducted by the director, choreographer, and music director. Audition participants should prepare a song that showcases their range and personality. 

At The End Of The Day is a new musical based in South-West Donegal. Inspired by the patchwork quilt 'Love Across The Waves' by Arranmore and Tir Boghaine Women's Groups, At The End Of The Day provides a look at life in Donegal during the early 1800s. The plot mainly follows the relationship of Matthew Lyons and Nuala Green, from the time they first meet, to the time they become engaged to be married, and also the events leading up to their meeting.

The musical is set in times when the norm is for two sets of parents to get together in order to arrange a 'match' between their son and daughter. Matthew, from Teelin, and Nuala from Arranmore Island, in what might be considered to be a long distance relationship in the 1820s, make their own match, by falling in love.

When Matthew proposes to Nuala, the answer is undoubtedly 'yes', but there is a clause - Nuala wants to get her parents' blessing first. Matthew is anxious to know if their blessing is given, so Nuala arranges to light a bonfire, if the answer is positive, on a hill near her home, on Arranmore Island. Matthew will be able to see the bonfire from Glen Head, near his home.

They make their arrangements for the following day, at the end of the day, that is, after dusk. Will Matthew see the bonfire in the distance, and therefore know what their future will be?

Music, lyrics and book by Leslie Long, whose last musical writing project was the AIMS award-winning musical ‘Caisleáin Óir’, and direction by Tracey Faulkner, with choreography by Amy Jordan.

Cast of characters: Matthew Lyons - Male, early 20’s. Sells yarn. Shy, nervous; Nuala Green - Female, early 20’s. Knits and sells stockings. A thoughtful and kind person, but also strong-minded and resourceful; Biddy Devenney - Female, 50s. Slight Scottish accent. Likes to play the system, never likes to be crossed; Patrick Hegarty - Male, early 30’s. Confident and experienced salesman; Ellen Green - Female, late teens. Knits and sells stockings. Nuala's younger sister; Ann Rodgers - Female, early 20’s. Knits and sells stockings. Nuala's friend; 

Bridget O'Donnell - Female, 40’s. Works in the yarn factory. Likes to know (and circulate) everybody’s business; Michael McCauley - Male, late 40’s. A ferryman and hackney; Henry Francis Conyngham, MP - Male, late 20’s. MP for County of Donegal. Likes to take credit for what he does (or doesn’t do) for his constituency; George Vaughan Hart, MP - Male, early 60’s. MP for County of Donegal. Likes to take credit for what he does (or doesn’t do) for his constituency; Mary Gallagher - Female, mid 20’s. Works in the Conyngham estate house. Nuala's older sister; Patrick Gallagher - Male, mid 20’s. Works in the Conyngham estate house. Married to Mary, Nuala's older sister; Mr. Lyons - Male, late 40’s. Matthew’s father. A fisherman; Sarah Breslin - Female, early teens. A young girl, Biddy Devenney's neighbour. Various young fishermen and other roles. Contact: Leslie Long, 087-2538273, leslie@leslielong.ie