Letterkenny Music and Drama Group's All-Ireland champions welcomed home

Letterkenny Music and Drama Group were welcomed home on Monday evening following their first prize at the ACDI/DLI All-Ireland One Act Drama Festival finals.

Kieran Kelly’s Cider Park took the top award as Donegal claimed two top-three places, with Butt Drama Circle’s A Matter of Rights by Conor Malone claiming third at the Moat Theatre, Naas, Co Kildare.

Kelly, who also stars in the show, was honoured to win the Best Male Actor award and the Summer School Bursary award winner was Andrew Tinney, also from Letterkenny Musical and Dramatic Society.

There was also a nomination for Michael Leddy (director), Tom Nelis (stage management) and for Best Moment of Theatre, while Butt was nominated for Best Actor in the form of JC Bonar. 

“I can’t even really put it into words,” Kelly posted. “I’ve dreamt of this happening but never thought it actually would! It's just so overwhelming! Just a huge thank you to everyone who made this happen.

“Charlie Bonner and Patrick McBrearty for helping to knock it into shape. Letterkenny Music and Drama Group for letting us do it! Michael Leddy for expert direction. Tom Nelis and Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhrighde for lights and sound. And my other selves, Cathal Gallagher and Andrew William Tinney! What a team!

“Thanks to the Moat Club for hosting an amazing festival and for being so welcoming to us and all the groups. And huge congrats to Conor Malone, JC Bonar, Shaun Laverty and the team at the Butt Drama Circle for an amazing production and finishing in third. Two Donegal groups in the top three and with new writing too! Hup Tir Chonaill! The night will live long in the memory. A great day for Donegal with two brand new plays by Donegal authors finishing in the top three of Ireland.”

Open Section
1st: Letterkenny Music and Drama Group ‘Cider Park’ by Kieran Kelly
2nd: Brideview Drama ‘Save Me’ by Mark O’Leary
3rd: Butt Drama Circle ‘A Matter of Rights’ by Conor Malone
Best Actor Male: Kieran Kelly in ‘Cider Park’ Letterkenny Musical and Drama Group
Best Actor Female: Ellie Willoughby in ‘Normal’ Kilrush Drama Group

Confined Section
1st: Bailieborough Drama Group ‘Dying Minutes’ by Liz O’Hanlon
2nd: Navan Theatre Group ‘I’M NOT A.D.H.D., I’M B.O.L.D.’ by Georgina McKevitt & Jacinta Sheerin
3rd: Clann Machua ‘Baby Steps’ by Moira Mahony & Sarah Fahy
Best Actor Male: Conor Schaffrey, Bailieborough Drama Group
Best Actor Female: Nicola Devine, Navan Theatre Group
ADCI/DLI Summer School Bursary Award: Andrew Tinney, Letterkenny Musical and Dramatic Society
Adjudicator’s Award 1: Elton Griffin. Gunpowder Productions
Adjudicator’s Award 2: Skibbereen Theatre Society. Lighting in ‘Dead Man’s Bells’
Adjudicator’s Award for Innovation & Creativity: Use of Chorus in ‘Baby Steps’ Clann Machua
Ann Hurley Memorial Award, Best Moment: Gunpowder Productions portrayal of the pinkness of the main character in ‘Semper Fidelis’