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
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 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
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
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
1st May at 6pm in Athlone Art Gallery, the Village@Burgess, the opening of ‘Forest Walk’ an art exhibition by Therese Murphy. Free event.
Friday 1th May, 7 pm Dean Crowe Courtyard An Cór Lár Tíre with their unique choral recital. Popular vocal musical entertainment. Free Event.
'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.
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
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, 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, 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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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/