The 72nd Ballyshannon Drama Awards Ceremony was a night to remember, celebrating outstanding performances across the nine nights of theatre in the Abbey Centre. MC John Travers and Adjudicator Martin Maguire led the audience through an evening filled with applause, excitement, and emotion.
The Patsy Croal Blue Riband, the night’s top honour, was awarded to St. Patrick’s Drama Group, Westport, for their powerful production of ‘Woman and Scarecrow’. The play also secured First Place Confined (Commercial Hotel Cup), Best Director Confined (Hugh and Mary Daly Cup) for Seamus Cafferkey, and Best Actress Confined for Martina Ryan’s moving portrayal of ‘Woman’.
Balally Players dominated the Open Section, winning the Maureen Gallagher Award for ‘Ulster American’, with Aisling Finn taking Best Actress Open (Eoin Carney Award) for her stunning performance. Peter Havlin of Newpoint Players earned Best Actor Open (H.J. Travers Award) for his unforgettable role in ‘Ghetto’, while Maya Maguire from Clontarf Players claimed Best Director Open (John Stephens Cup) for ‘The Last Days of Judas Iscariot’.
Clontarf Players also took Second Place Open (CJ King Award), with Newpoint Players earning Third Place Open (Jim Flynn Award) for ‘Ghetto’. In the Confined Section, Phoenix Players secured Second Place Confined (Catherine Breslin Award) for ‘Translations’, and Upstage Players claimed Third Place Confined with ‘The Weir’, which also saw Tim Oates win Best Actor Confined for his performance as Jack.
Young talent shone brightly, with the Phil McLoone Award for outstanding achievement by a young person going to Sarah Smith for her role in ‘The Ghetto’. Alanna Ní Mhiocain of St. Patrick’s Drama Group received the Rachel O’Connor DLI Summer School Bursary for her heartfelt portrayal of ‘Scarecrow’ in ‘Woman and Scarecrow’.
The Adjudicator’s Awards recognized unique achievements: Director and Cast of ‘Ghetto’ were praised for their Dramatic Imagination, Tommy Campbell of Clontarf Players received recognition for his performance in ‘The Last Days of Judas Iscariot’, and Fintan Gallagher of Newtownstewart was honored with the Bravery on Stage award for his powerful performance in ‘Maisie Duggan’.
Technical achievements were also celebrated, with Phoenix Players winning Best Lighting for ‘Translations’, Newpoint Players earning Best Stage Manager for ‘Ghetto’, and Dundalk taking Best Set for ‘Art’. The Billy Myles Audience Award, reflecting the audience’s favorite, went to Balally Players’ ‘Ulster American’.
A particularly touching moment of the evening came with the Hall of Fame Award, presented in memory of Rachel O’Connor. MC John Travers fondly remembered Rachel not only for her remarkable career but for her greatest role — simply being Rachel O’Connor. Her husband, Sean, accepted the award on behalf of the family, drawing heartfelt applause from the audience.
The 2025 Drama Awards truly reflected the passion, dedication, and spirit of the theatre community. Congratulations to all.
Patsy Croal Blue Riband – ‘Woman and Scarecrow’, St. Patrick’s Drama Group, Westport
Winner Open Section (Maureen Gallagher Award) – Balally Players, ‘Ulster American’
Second Place Open (CJ King Award) – Clontarf Players, ‘The Last Days of Judas Iscariot’
Third Place Open (Jim Flynn Award) – Newpoint Players, ‘Ghetto’
Best Director Open (John Stephens Cup) – Maya Maguire, Clontarf Players, ‘The Last Days of Judas Iscariot’
Best Actress Open (Eoin Carney Award) – Aisling Finn, ‘Ulster American’, Balally Players
Best Actor Open (H. J. Travers Award) – Peter Havlin, ‘Ghetto’, Newpoint Players
First Place Confined (Commercial Hotel Cup) – ‘Woman and Scarecrow’, St. Patrick’s Drama Group, Westport
Second Place Confined (Catherine Breslin Award) – ‘Translations’, Phoenix Players
Third Place Confined – ‘The Weir’, Upstage Players
Best Director Confined (Hugh and Mary Daly Cup) – Seamus Cafferkey, ‘Woman and Scarecrow’, St. Patrick’s Drama Group, Westport
Best Actress Confined – Martina Ryan, ‘Woman’, ‘Woman and Scarecrow’, St. Patrick’s Drama Group, Westport
Best Actor Confined – Tim Oates, ‘Jack’ in ‘The Weir’, Upstage Players
The Rachel O’Connor DLI Summer School Bursary – Alanna Ní Mhiocain, ‘Scarecrow’ in ‘Woman and Scarecrow’, St. Patrick’s Drama Group, Westport
Phil McLoone Award for outstanding achievement by a young person – Sarah Smith, ‘The Ghetto’;
Adjudicator’s Awards (x3)
- Director and Cast of ‘Ghetto’ for Dramatic Imagination
- Tommy Campbell, Clontarf Players, ‘Last Days of Judas Iscariot’
- Bravery on Stage – Fintan Gallagher, ‘Him’ in ‘Maisie Duggan’, Newtownstewart
Best Lighting – Phoenix Players, ‘Translations’
Best Stage Manager – Newpoint Players – ‘Ghetto’
Best Set – Dundalk, ‘Art’
Billy Myles Audience Award – Balally, ‘Ulster American’
Hall of Fame Award – Rachel O’Connor
