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.

Wednesday 29th April, 8 pm Winners from the All Ireland Confined Final 2026 ‘To Be Confirmed’ Dean Crowe Theatre Performance of the new All Ireland (confined section) winning play, which will be known after the finals for 2026. Watch Instagram for updates. Free Event, please note open seating Admission Tickets, Free, from Dean Crowe

Thursday 30th April, 7 pm Defence Forces Band of the Eastern Brigade, 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

Daily: 11.30 am to 12.30 pm, Friday 1st May – Friday 8th May In the Radisson Hotel 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

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

Friday 1th May, 7 pm Dean Crowe Courtyard An Cór Lár Tíre with their unique choral recital. Popular vocal musical entertainment. Free Event.  

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

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.

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

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

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

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