RTE All Ireland Drama Festival

Connaught Gardens Market with Lifesize Puppets
2025-05-04 12:00 - 16:00 UTC | Connaught Gardens, Connaught Gardens, Athlone, Ireland
Picture credits Paola Bassanese
A family friendly pop-up market in Connaught Gardens starting at noon on Sunday May 4th till 4pm. Face painting (no real paint), Puppets, Food, Bric a Brac.

St Jarlath’s Credit Union Schools Playwright Competition
2025-05-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Tuesday May 6th May, 11 am
St Jarlath’s Credit Union Schools Playwright Competition
Dean Crowe Theatre
Transition year students from all around Ireland, have written original one act plays on the
theme of ‘Care’. Presentation of prizes, followed by the ‘world premiere’ performance of
the winning play. Produced and directed by Alfie Kilduff.
Free Event

Presentation of awards for Shop Window Display
2025-05-07 18:30 - 19:30 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Wednesday 7 th May, 6.45 pm
Presentation of awards for Shop Window Display
Launch and reception of Art exhibition ‘The West; in Light and Shade’
Landscape artists Yvonne McDonald and John Higgins display their work of the wild wonderful west.
AIB Gallery, Dean Crowe Theatre
Free Event

Winners from the All Ireland Confined Final 2025 St Patrick's Drama Group
2025-05-07 20:00 - 21:00 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Wednesday 7 th May, 8 pm
St Patrick’s Drama Group, winners from the All Ireland Confined Final 2025 perform ’Woman and Scarecrow’ at the Dean Crowe Theatre
Free admission

Defence Forces Band of the Eastern Brigade
2025-05-08 19:00 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Thursday 8 th May, 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 2025 RTÉ All-Ireland Drama Festival
Free Event

Athlone A Cappella
2025-05-09 18:30 - 19:30 | Sheraton Hotel Athlone, Gleeson St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 D953, Ireland
Friday 9 th May, 6.30 pm
Sheraton Hotel Foyer
Athlone A Cappella return with their unique choral recitals.
Popular vocal musical entertainment.
Free Event.

Afternoon T Series: ‘Dying Minutes’
2025-05-10 15:00 - 16:30 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Saturday 10 th May, 3pm
Afternoon T Series: ‘Dying Minutes’.
Athlone Little Theatre
Bailieborough Drama Group present their 2025 confined All-Ireland winning one act play.
Set in a pub, this one act answers the question: why would anyone be in a pub on a Monday
Morning? We glimpse into a world at which we laugh, empathise and even recognise.
Admission €10 Tea afterwards in Green Room.
https://www.eventbrite.com

Open Air street drama
2025-05-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Connaught Gardens, Connaught Gardens, Athlone, Ireland
Sunday 11 th May, 1pm
Open Air drama
McNeill’s corner, Connaught Street
Connaught Street and Environs community group present a ‘sketch of the street’. Written by historian Gearoid O’Brien
Free Event

Afternoon T Series : 'Double Header‘ and 'Baby Steps’
2025-05-11 15:00 - 16:30 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Sunday 11th May, 3 pm
AFTERNOON T SERIES: DOUBLE HEADER
‘LAST LISTS OF MY MAD MOTHER’ AND ‘BABY STEPS’
Athlone Little Theatre
Athlone Little Theatre presents ‘Last Lists of My Mad Mother’, directed by Joe Brady. Written by Julie Jensen.
Clann Machua from Kiltimagh tell the story of Ash and Chris, as they move away from small town Galway to Oxford, via flatpack furniture building. Directed by Moira Mahony.
Short interval between, Plays finish by 4.45pm approx.
Tickets €10 Tea afterwards in Green Room

Walking Tour
2025-05-12 15:00 - 16:00 | Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
Monday 12 th May, 3pm
Walking Tour .
Meet at Civic Centre, a guided tour with historian Gearoid O’Brien. Dress appropriately. Walk duration approximately one hour.
Free Event.

Schools Art Competition
2025-05-13 16:30 - 17:00 | Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
Tuesday 13th May 4.30 pm
Schools Art Competition
Aidan Heavey Library
The announcement of the winners and display of entries. The brief is to design a book cover.

Poetry Recital
2025-05-13 16:30 - 17:00 | Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
Tuesday 13 th May, 4.45pm
‘Poetry recital’ .
with Amy Barry.
Aidan Heavey Library
Free Event

CANCELLED - Drama Wellness Workshop
2025-05-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Co. Westmeath
*CANCELLED*
Please note that the ‘Drama Wellness Workshop’ event is now cancelled, apologies for the inconvenience.
, .

Historic Walking Tour of Athlone
2025-05-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Thursday 15 th May, 11.00 am
Historic Walking Tour of Athlone
Start Point: Dean Crowe Theatre
‘In the footsteps of John Count McCormack’. A walking trail with Historian Gearoid O’Brien.
Dress appropriately approximately one hour duration.
Free Event

Launch of TUS Archive and Special Collections
2025-05-15 15:00 - 16:00 | TUS AThlone Campus, University Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 HD68, Ireland
Thursday 15 th May, 3.00pm
Launch of TUS Archive and Special Collections
TUS Library, Athlone Campus
Dr. Lisa Griffith, Director of the Digital Repository of Ireland (DRI) will launch the new library
service which builds on the Brendan O’Brien collection and will catalogue material such as
correspondence, posters, programmes etc. of the drama movement in Ireland.
Free Event

Athlone Pipe Band
2025-05-15 19:30 - 20:30 | Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
Thursday 15 th May, 7.15 pm
Athlone Pipe Band
Count John McCormick Square
Join in and march behind the band, as we leave the civic square to go over the bridge to the Dean Crowe theatre. Enjoy a feast of lively pipe music. Sunshine optional.
Free event.

Music by Bernard and Patrice Coyle
2025-05-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Dean Crowe Theatre, Chapel Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 VF29, Ireland
Friday 16 th May, 7 pm
Music by Bernard and Patrice Coyle
Dean Crowe forecourt
Free

Afternoon T Series: ‘Cider Park’
2025-05-17 15:00 - 16:30 | Athlone Little Theatre, St Mary's Place, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 XR52, Ireland
Saturday 17th May, 3 pm
Afternoon T Series: ‘Cider Park’
Athlone Little Theatre
Letterkenny Music and Drama group present their All Ireland winning one act play.
JP and Georgie are enjoying their cans in Cider Park… Philosophising on originality they
ponder the question are we photocopies of what came before? Then they are joined by the
older Richie and discover what it may mean to be human. Directed by Michael Leddy.
Tickets €10 Tea afterwards in Green Room

THE PARTY NIGHT OF THE YEAR Gala Awards Ceremony
2025-05-17 18:30 - 23:30 | Radisson Hotel Athlone, Northgate Street, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 A8X9, Ireland
Saturday 17 th May, 6.30 pm
THE PARTY NIGHT OF THE YEAR. Gala Awards Ceremony,
Live Streamed by RTĖ at 9pm. We finally discover who are the 2025 winners of the Irish Drama
scene.
Athlone Radisson Hotel
Ticket holders only. FULLY BOOKED.

‘Guerilla Street Art’ Various Locations
2026-04-06 | Co. Westmeath
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

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

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

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:

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

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.

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

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

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

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

‘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.
