The cast and director of Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group’s ‘Stolen Child’ which took home three awards at the recent All Ireland Finals.

AS THE curtain came down on another All Ireland Amateur Drama Finals, Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group was the big Wexford winner on the night, taking home three of the top awards.

The group, which staged ‘Stolen Child’ by Yvonne Quinn & Bairbre Ni Chaoimh qualified for the finals on the back of four wins, two second places and two third places during the circuit earlier in the year.

The group picked up its first award for Best Stage Management.

And the top acting awards were soon heading Slaneyside as well as Josephine Byrne took the Best Actress Award for her stirring performance as Peggy. She was soon joined by Ronan Byrne who picked up the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Mick Tracy.

Group PRO Marian McDonald said the group was absolutely thrilled with the results, saying it was the best the group had done at that level for three years and that it was a huge boost in their rebuilding process.

The group lost two of its stalwarts over the past few years in Dinny Finn and the legendary Pat Connaughton but Ms. McDonald said that the two men were clearly watching over the group as it took to the stage in Athlone this year.

Elsewhere, first time Athlone contender Kilmuckridge Drama Group received a strong adjudication and cast member Michael Murphy won the John Butler scholarship for his performance in Jimmy Murphy’s ‘Kings of the Kilburn High Road’.