RTE All Ireland Drama Festival

Gala Awards
2026-05-09 18:30 - 23:59 UTC | Radisson Hotel Athlone, Northgate Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 A8X9, Ireland
Saturday 9th May, Reception 6.30 pm THE GLAMOUR PARTY NIGHT OF THE YEAR. Dress with style for the Gala Awards Ceremony, Live Streamed by RTĖ, hosted by Nuala Carey, we finally discover who are the 2026 winners of the Irish Drama scene. Live Entertainment, Dancing and Dinner.
Watch the live stream on https://www.rte.ie/culture/

Afternoon T series: ‘The Last Nickel’ Athlone Little Theatre
2026-05-09 15:00 - 16:30 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Saturday 9th May
Afternoon T series: ‘The Last Nickel’. Athlone Little Theatre
Upstage Players from Claremorris, present Jane Shepard’s powerful and surreal human story exploring a sibling relationship; regrets, joy, love and the fragile threads that bind. Directed by Tim Oats. Experience a performance that lingers long after the lights go down. Admission €10. Tea afterwards in Green Room.

Afternoon T Series Country Music Special ‘In Another’s Eyes’
2026-05-08 15:00 - 16:00 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Friday 8th May, 3 pm Afternoon T series Country Music Special – ‘In Another’s eyes’ The sensational Caroline Moore, fresh back from recording and performing in Nashville and award winning Baritone turned country star Daryn O’Hara as they take us on a journey through Nashville and beyond. Featuring the best of popular country music. Bring your Stetson hats and boots, but NO guns folks. Athlone Little Theatre
Admission €10 Tea afterwards in Green Room. https://www.eventbrite.com

Historic Walking Tour of Athlone
2026-05-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Thursday 7th May, 3pm Historic Walking Tour of Athlone Start Point: Dean Crowe Theatre
A walking trail with Historian Gearoid O’Brien. Dress appropriately for the weather approximately one hour duration. Free Event

Get Wicked Workshop TUS
2026-05-07 11:00 - 13:00 | TUS AThlone Campus, University Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 HD68, Ireland
Thursday 7th May, 11am ‘Get Wicked Workshop’. All Welcome to an interactive and experiential workshop, which uses creativity, humour, drama and playful disruption to broaden and encourage alternative perspectives. Hosted by Dr. Caroline Coyle, Artist and writer from Ireland and with Cynthia Bruinsma, Artist and photographer from Friesland, in the Netherlands, the informal session combines theory, practical exercises reflection and dialogue. Limited to 20 participants. TUS University Admission FREE, please register at https://www.eventbrite.com

CANCELLED Athlone A Capella
2026-05-05 18:30 - 19:00 | Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
Please note that regrettably this event is now cancelled.
Tuesday 5th May 6.30 pm Athlone A Capella The award winning A Capella group perform their take on popular songs. Aidan Heavey Library Free Event

Poetry Recital Athlone Library
2026-05-05 17:00 - 18:30 | Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
Tuesday 5th May, 5.00 pm to 6.30pm ‘Poetry recital’, followed by Choral performance. Published authors: Amy Abdullah Barry, Noelle Lynskey, Anne Donnellan, Catherine Ronan and Matt Mooney will perform readings from their award winning writings. Aidan Heavey Library Free Event

Historic Walking Tour of Athlone
2026-05-05 15:00 - 16:00 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Tuesday 5th May, 3pm Historic Walking Tour of Athlone Start Point: Dean Crowe Theatre A walking trail with Historian Gearoid O’Brien. Dress appropriately for the weather approximately one hour duration. Free Event

Afternoon T Series: ’Fresh for the Fringe’ Athlone Little Theatre
2026-05-04 15:00 - 16:30 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Monday 4th May, 3pm Afternoon T Series: ’Fresh for the Fringe’. A series of small plays played by the Elm Eye collective. Featuring Gerard O’Shea, Moire Mahoney, Niall McGrath, Delia Lowery and Kate Breen. A blend of contemporary Irish writing designed to make you laugh, cry and wonder why. Athlone Little Theatre
Admission €10 Tea afterwards in Green Room. https://www.eventbrite.com

The Fire Parade
2026-05-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Civic Square
Sunday 3rd May, 6.15pm
The Fire Parade.
Join Athlone Town Pipe band as they accompany a Fire Eater with puppets who are walking to the Dean Crowe Theatre.
Starts at the Civic Square
Free event

Pop Up Pub Fringe
2026-05-03 17:30 - 2026-05-04 18:30
POP UP PUB FRINGEBite sized drama served up in a pub or twoBy Roscommon Drama GroupThis new initiative directed by Joanne HoneBrings Pub Theatre to two Athlone PubsCheck our Instagram page for updatesDrama sketches in a pub
Sometime after 5.30pm on the 3 rd and 4 th May
Free Event

Afternoon T Series: ’Sea Wall’.
2026-05-03 15:00 - 16:30 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Sunday 3rd May, 3pm
Afternoon T Series :’Sea Wall’. A man reflects on love, loss and the moments that change everything. Performed by Gerard O’Shea and directed by Fiona Breen, this is Alex’s story of a summer holiday in the south of France. What it means to be Human.
Athlone Little Theatre
Admission €10 Tea afterwards in Green Room. https://www.eventbrite.com

Afternoon T Series :’Sea Wall’ Athlone Little Theatre
2026-05-03 15:00 - 16:30 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Sunday 3rd May, 3pm
Play ‘Sea Wall’
Afternoon T Series :’Sea Wall’. A man reflects on love, loss and the moments that change everything. Performed by Gerard O’Shea and directed by Fiona Breen, this is Alex’s story of a summer holiday in the south of France. What it means to be Human.
Athlone Little Theatre
Admission €10 Tea afterwards in Green Room. https://www.eventbrite.com

Set Dancing with Sharleen Civic Square
2026-05-03 13:00 - 14:00 | Civic Square
Sunday 3rd May, 1 pm
Set Dancing with Sharleen
All you ever what to know about set dancing but were too scared to ask. Sharleen Doyle from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Ėireann will teach all and sundry to learn a few steps, great fun.
The Canopy at Civic Square
FREE Event

Sheraton Miscellany
2026-05-03 11:30 - 12:30 | Sheraton Hotel Athlone, Gleeson St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 D953, Ireland
Sunday 3rd May, 11.30 am
Sheraton Miscellany
A relaxed mixed bag of Various talented entertainment to liven up your Holiday Sunday morning.
Music and prose
FREE Event Tea afterwards.

Shearaton Miscellany
2026-05-03 11:30 - 12:30 | Sheraton Hotel Athlone, Gleeson St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 D953, Ireland
Sunday 3rd May, 11.30 am
Shearaton Miscellany
A relaxed mixed bag of various talented entertainment to liven up your holiday Sunday morning.
Music and prose
FREE Event Tea afterwards.

Open Air Music in Civic Square
2026-05-02 14:00 - 17:00 | Civic Square
Saturday 2nd May, 2pm to 5pm
Open Air Music.
Dean Kelly School Band, Kilcleagh National School Band (Castledaly) and COPA Boys Band.
Lively music from the young generation to celebrate the Bank Holiday. Come and enjoy.
Under the canopy, Civic Square
Free Event

'Retreat' Performance Civic Square
2026-05-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Civic Square
‘Retreat’ 2nd May 2026 1pm to 2pm FREE
Harry Cunningham, James Duffy, Eoin Dillon and Sachin Sundaresan perform at the Canopy in Athlone’s Civic Square.

An Cór Lár Tíre Recital Dean Crowe
2026-05-01 19:00 - 19:30 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Friday 1th May, 7 pm Dean Crowe Courtyard An Cór Lár Tíre with their unique choral recital. Popular vocal musical entertainment. Free Event.

‘Forest Walk’ Art Exhibition Burgess
2026-05-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Athlone Gallery Burgess Village
1st May at 6pm in Athlone Art Gallery, the Village@Burgess, the opening of ‘Forest Walk’ an art exhibition by Therese Murphy. Free event.

Afternoon T Series: ‘The Crucified Silence’ Athlone Little Theatre
2026-05-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Friday 1st May, 3pm
Afternoon T Series: ‘The Crucified Silence’. Athlone Little Theatre
Mick Donnellan presents his stripped back view of Joe’s inner world where silence speaks as loudly as words, revealing a man struggling to reconcile who he was with who he has become.
Admission €10 Tea afterwards in Green Room. https://www.eventbrite.com

Après Play The Day after the night before Radisson Hotel
2026-05-01 11:30 - 2026-05-08 12:30 | Radisson Hotel Athlone, Northgate Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 A8X9, Ireland
Daily: 11.30 am to 12.30 pm, Friday 1st May – Friday 8th May
In the Radisson Hotel, at the bar, please check our socials for updates
A gentle discussion/reflection on the previous night’s play
This new initiative allows festival goers and others, an opportunity to talk about the Play
What did you like? What did you notice? What are you puzzled about?
The Acting – The Directing – The Play itself
Even if you did not attend the play please come along
With a host and a cup of tea, join us while we try to answer
Strictly personal – No adjudicators allowed
Free Event

Defence Forces Band of the Eastern Brigade
2026-04-30 19:00 - 19:30 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Thursday 30th April, 7 pm Defence Forces Band of the Eastern Brigade conducted by Captain John Carpenter, by kind permission of GOC Eastern Brigade Forecourt Dean Crowe Theatre Open air musical entertainment to start the 2026 RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival Free Event

Glenamaddy Players All Ireland Confined Final 2026 Winners Performance
2026-04-29 20:00 - 21:00 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Wednesday 29th April, 8 pm Glenamaddy Players, winners from the All Ireland Confined Final 2026 performing at the Dean Crowe Theatre
Performance of the new All Ireland (confined section) winning play, Chapatti, a delightful play by Christian O’Reilly. Some upsetting material, viewers discretion is advised. It tells the touching love story between a dog and a cat and their owners. Performed by the 2026 winners of the All Ireland ‘Confined’ finals, Glenamaddy Players. It is a free fringe event, please note open seating. Come early for the launch of the art exhibition at 7.15pm.

Watch Instagram for updates.
Free Event, please note open seating
Admission Tickets, Free, from Dean Crowe

Launch and Reception of Art Exhibition
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Wednesday 29 th April, 7.15pm
Launch and reception of Art exhibition followed by a play. Dean Crowe Theatre AIB Gallery.
Artist Avril Egan displays her work, ‘What about Life’. This is a statement that drives
reflection on the past, experience of the present and uncertainty for the future. Through personal scenes of struggle, vulnerability and growth, the art work becomes a space to process: ‘What about Life’. Pause and find your meaning within it. All welcome.

School Playwright Competition
2026-04-28 11:00 - 12:00 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Tuesday 28th April, 11 am Presentation of Prizes to the 2026 winners of the School Playwright Competition. Transition year students from all over Ireland wrote a short play on the theme of ‘change’. This event is a school event only and not open to the public but results will be on Social Media. Athlone Little Theatre School Event

Athlone Film Festival IMC Cinema SOLD OUT
2026-04-25 19:30 - 22:30 | IMC Athlone, Golden Island Shopping Centre, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland
SOLD OUT Saturday 25th April, 7.30 pm
All tickets are now sold. There is a waiting list for any returns. Sorry for any disappointment.
Athlone Film Festival IMC Cinema, Golden Island Athlone Athlone Film Festival, showcasing eight short films from talented filmmakers followed by a panel discussion with some of the directors/producers. Finishes at 10.30pm approx. Admission Tickets €10 plus Eventbrite fee. Tea, meet and greet afterwards.
Watch the trailer:

Film Writing Workshop Radisson Hotel
2026-04-25 11:00 - 13:00 | Radisson Hotel Athlone, Northgate Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 A8X9, Ireland
Saturday 25th April, 11am Film Writing workshop
Radisson Hotel
‘Anatomy of a scene’. Rachel Moloney, currently an RTĖ Fair City story room assistant
returns for story and character development script writing session.
Admission Tickets €10. Eventbrite fee. https://www.eventbrite.com

Filmmakers Networking Event TUS University
2026-04-24 18:30 - 20:00 | TUS AThlone Campus, University Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 HD68, Ireland
Friday 24th April, 6.30pm Filmmakers Networking Event
TUS University, tea/coffee light refreshments reception from 6.30pm. Films start 7pm.
This is a public screening of films that earned an honourable mention from The Athlone Film
Festival. The Networking event holds an opportunity to see the work and meet and greet
the Actors/Producers/Directors/Lighting/Sound/Costume/Set. Free event

‘Guerilla Street Art’ Various Locations
2026-04-06
Wednesday 6th May ‘Guerilla Street Art’ . Watch out for experienced Dutch Photographer Cynthia Bruinsma appear around Athlone inviting members of the public to turn the selfie on its’ head by taking part in this collaborative photoart collage. Athlone various locations. FREE and voluntary
