By Dan Walsh
The 15th annual South Wicklow Drama Festival takes place in St. Brigid’s Hall, Carnew, from Sunday to Saturday, March20-26th and the festival was launched in Jim Byrne’s Lounge, Carnew, last Thursday night by Philip Howlin from Camross, who is a member of the Drama League of Ireland Committee.
Philip was a longstanding member of Rathnure Pantomime & Musical Society, both acting and behind scenes and in 2012 took part in the very successful Camross Passion Play and being a man of many talents has since then has been involved with all aspects of drama with Camross Drama Group, including acting, directing, lighting, sound, set building and promotional work.
A frequent visitor to St. Brigid’s Hall for the festivals over the years, Philip said he was honoured to be asked to launch the 2022 festival. He commended to committee for the welcome audiences always receive when they attend the festival plays and for always going out of their way to put them first.
Philip had another exciting duty he carried out at the launch. In his travels he has come across a Perpetual Trophy (Cup) which was found in a house in Dublin. The Cup is inscribed Feile Carn Nua in an old Irish lettering, and underneath is inscribed Corn Taylor-Keith.
Chairman Eamonn Doran gave an overview of the plays coming up in the Festival and thanked Sponsors and Patrons for their continued support of the Festival.
Thanks was expressed to Jim Byrne for hosting the launch, and to Jim and Mary Doyle for providing the refreshments.
Line up of Plays for Festival:
Sunday 20th March: Coolgreany Amateur Dramatic Society – The Odd Couple by Neil Simon
Monday 21st March: Ballycogley Players – The Beacon by Nancy Harris
Tuesday 22nd March: Kilmuckdridge Dramp Group – The Playboy of the Western World by John Millington Synge
Wednesday 23rd March: Bunclody /Kilmyshal –The Good Father by Christine O’Reilly
Thursday 24th March: Camross Drama Group – The Kings of the Kilburn Highroad by Jimmy Murphy
Friday 25th March: Prosperous Dramatic Society – God of Carnage by Yasmina Reza
Saturday 26th March: Saturday 26th March – Class by Kilrush Drama Group
Patron Tickets for the Festival are available from any of the Festival Committee, from Mark Kennedy in Hall’s Shop, Main Street, Carnew; Carnew Training & Development Centre and from Candy’s, Carnew. Purchasing a patron ticket enables you to see the seven plays listed for just €35.
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