On April 18th The Draw took place in the Dean Crowe Theatre which sees nights assigned to each of the 9 finalists for their play to take place.

The results of that draw were as follows:

May 5 with Palace Players, Co Cork, who performed the two hander ‘Chapatti’ by Christian O’Reilly, a poignant exploration of the importance of human companionship.

May 6, Kilmeen Drama Group, Co Cork, presented Tom Murphy’s ‘Conversations on a Homecoming’ which takes us on a journey of self-discovery as friends gather after an absence of 10 years.

May 7, Bunclody-Kilmyshall Drama Group, Co Wexford, performed ‘The Good Father’. This, another two hander penned by Christian O’Reilly, reveals an unlikely love story about the unexpected consequences of a one night stand.

May 8, Ballyduff Drama Group, Co Waterford. The first group to qualify as a finalist they perfomred the poignant and moving ‘Rabbit Hole’ a Pulitzer Prize winning play by David Lindsay-Abaire which tells the story of a married couple, grieving the loss of their young son in a car accident.

May 9, Butt Drama Circle, Co Donegal, presented a brand-new play ‘An Incident with Dave Cotter’. Set against the background of the events of Bloody Sunday, it was written and directed by actor, Shaun Byrne, a member of the award-winning group.

May 10, Prosperous Dramatic Society, Co Kildare, presented the chaotic and at times savage comedy ‘God of Carnage’ by Yasmina Reza.

May 11, Kilrush Drama Group, from Co Wexford, presented the Edinburgh Fringe First Award winning ‘Class’ by Iseult Golden & David Horan, an explosive triple confrontation which is both funny and heart-breaking.

May 12, Ballyshannon Drama Society, from Co Donegal, performed Arthur Miller’s first major work ‘All My Sons’, an emotional play which has several twists and turns.

May 13, Former winners Dalkey Players, Co. Dublin, closed the festival. They presented ‘Eurydice’ by Sarah Ruhl, a re-imagination of the classic myth.