Silken Thomas Players were formed in 1990 and first qualified for the Open finals as winners of the Confined finals in 1991 with Stags and Hens. They won the confined again in 2004 with Bent and thereafter have competed on the Open Circuit. They have qualified for the All Ireland finals every year since 2005 and have engaged audiences with their stunning productions which challenge the company in all aspects of stagecraft. They won the All Ireland in 2007 (The Normal Heart) and in 2010 (The History Boys) and were runners-up in 2006 (Trainspotting) and 2009 (Equus). Stage Manager Maria Flanagan has picked up the award for Best Stage Management on no less than four occasions.

The group is based in Kildare and is guided under the watchful eye of their director, Sean Judge.