Doonbeg Drama Group

Doonbeg has a long tradition of drama going back to the early 1960’s when there were three groups in the parish, Bealaha, Clohanes and Doonbeg.

After 1962 plays were performed intermittently until the present group was revitalized in 1981 by Murt McInerney and Mary J. Egan.

In the 1980’s the group concentrated on presenting productions locally, at the West Clare Drama Festival and occasionally venturing as far as Scarriff!

In 1990 the decision was made to enter the ‘Cauldron’ of the festival circuit and we were lucky to be accepted at three festivals – Doonbeg, Loughrea and Claremorris. Much to our astonishment and delight we qualified for the All Ireland Finals in Gorey, Co. Wexford with “The Field” by John B. Keane. What an adventure that was and what a weekend was had by all. Cue more delight as we were actually placed 3rd.

Since then the Doonbeg Drama Group have reached the All Ireland on eleven other occasions with productions such as “Canaries”, “ God’s Gentry”, “Many Young Men of Twenty”, “Attaboy Mr. Synge”, “The Honeyspike”, “The Weir”, “Cavalcaders”, “The Price” and “The Weir”. Our most successful have been “Many Young Men of Twenty” which was placed 2nd in the 2006 All Ireland and was produced by the legendary Murt McInerney, a veteran of drama in Doonbeg. In 2012, Mary J. Egan took up the mantle of producer and Doonbeg were again placed 2nd with “The Weir”.

In 2017, we were crowned All Ireland Confined Champions at the Western Drama Festival – Tubbercurry with the “The Night Alive” by Conor McPherson. We also won, Best Director: Mary J. Egan, Best Actor: Ken Blowers, Best Actress: Anne Marie Doyle, Best Supporting Actor: Declan Honan, Best Lighting: Pat & Margaret Aherne

Full Cast included: Ken Blowers, Anne Marie Doyle, Declan Honan, John Keane & Dave Hanley.

Any group cannot exist without the ‘backstage crew’ and we are fortunate to have a great crew: Pat Aherne, Margaret Aherne, Laura Keane, Charlie Killeen, Paddy O’Grady, Pat Egan, Peter Clarke, Bernie Capon, Margaret Dillon, Nuala Shanahan, Siobhan Behan,Sean Conway, Paddy Doyle, Roy Capon, Paul McCarthy, Colm McInerney.

We look forward to our first venture into the Open Section in 2019!

Since 2013, Doonbeg Drama Group has also performed on the One Act circuit and these performances were warmly received by our audiences.

New members are always welcome so don’t be shy, just ask!! Our aim is to continue to promote live drama in the community. Help us to do so by joining Doonbeg Drama Group.

Drama is alive and well in Doonbeg – find us on Facebook.

Our Performances

A list of all plays performed by Doonbeg Drama Group

YearQualified for All Ireland Confined FinalsPlay
2017*THE NIGHT ALIVE
2015*THE PRICE
2014*THE CAVALCADERS
2012*THE WEIR
2011*SAY CHEESE
2010BIG MAGGIE
2009*THE HONEY SPIKE
2008THE FACTORY GIRLS
2007ATTABOY MR SYNGE
2006*MANY YOUNG MEN OF TWENTY
2005RED ROSES AND PETROL
2004THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD
2003PROFESSOR TIM
2002HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ALICE
2001ALL SOUL'S NIGHT (FOOT & MOUTH)
2000*GOD'S GENTRY
1999*THE FIELD
1998GENTLE ISLAND
1997*CANARIES
1996THE HIGHEST HOUSE ON THE MOUNTAIN
1995*MANY YOUNG MEN OF TWENTY
1994THE PATRICK PEARSE MOTEL
1993THE COUNTRY BOY
1992THE YEAR OF THE HIKER
1991SIVE
1990*THE FIELD
1989
1988TINY CASTLES
1987THY DEAR FATHER
1986SIVE
1985THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST
1984MANY YOUNG MEN OF TWENTY
1983THE YEAR OF THE HIKER
1981THE FIELD
1980THE FIELD