Drama Festival committee hails successful 2009 event

At the AGM of the organising committee of the RTE All-Ireland Drama Festival held recently, members were told that attendances at this year's festival were the highest on record. With full houses recorded for nearly all of the nine nights, Festival Director Billy Nott advised that this was a bumper year for the event. In his report to the committee he conveyed glowing reports from the adjudicator Scott Marshall, ADCI chairperson Eileen Mooney and the many visitors from far and wide who were in attendance. This included a special message of gratitude from the Keane family who were guests of honour on opening night as the fiftieth anniversary of John B Keane's "Sive" was celebrated. Competitors too complimented the professional way in which the festival was handled and were full of praise for the local committee. "It is the dedication and energy which our members bring on a voluntary basis to the work in hand which is the hallmark of our success," said Billy Nott. "The sense of unity and purpose is what makes our committee the envy of many other festivals around the country and I congratulate each and every one of them for their tireless efforts in making the event the success that it is," he added. Success is due also to the professional support given by RTE both financial and in air-time. "The daily radio broadcasts throughout the festival has raised the national profile of the event and it provides a valuable link to communities the length and breadth of the country keeping them in touch with the goings-on in Athlone," Billy commented. He also stated that the added glamour of the final nNight awards ceremony put the participating groups centre-stage. He also praised Westmeath County Council, Athlone Town Council, ESB Networks, Athlone Chamber, local businesses and the local press and radio for their valued and much appreciated support. But the festival director, who was re-elected for his eighth term at the helm, warned that the greatest threat to success is success itself. "There is no room for complacency and the staging of the All-Ireland is a prize much sought after by other towns in Ireland. When you consider the new €30million theatre which opened in Wexford last year, there are many eyes on Athlone and it challenges all stakeholders to keep the event here where it truly belongs." Looking forward to the 58th festival, the 2010 RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival will take place at the Dean Crowe Theatre from Friday, April 30 to Saturday May 8, with adjudicator Tom Doherty in the hot seat. Doherty has adjudicated at numerous local festivals over the years, but next year will be his first All Ireland - a daunting task but one he is more than capable of performing. The committee was elected as follows: Festival Director: Billy Nott; Secretary: Harry Smith; Treasurer: Ronan Bushell; Sponsorship Manager: Shay Ellis; PRO: Joe MacCarrick; Deputy PRO: Cllr Alan Shaw; FOH Manager: Breffni Rowan; Festival Club: Ray Collins. Members: Therese Byrne, Mary Berry, Siobhan Bigley, Regina Bushell, Mary Corcoran, Margaret Egan, Aidan Flanagan, Majella Flanagan, Liam Kelleher, Olive Martin, Tommy Martin, Mary Merrigan, Mel O'Flynn, Doreen O'Shea, Marguerite Smith, Ollie Hegarty, Michelle Flynn and Marie Flynn