THE first time Kilmeen Drama Group performed in the All-Ireland Open Drama Finals in 1976, Teddy O’Sullivan acted in that production and now 50 years later, his nephew and director Denis O’Sullivan is celebrating the drama group’s incredible wins at the recent 2026 RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival in Athlone.

Not only did they win ‘Best Drama Group’ for their production of Enda Walsh’s ‘Ballyturk’ but they also received the Abbey Award 2026 and will perform the play at the Peacock Theatre later this month.

Denis picked up the ‘Best Director’ award, Niamh Power received ‘Best Actress’ for her role as ‘2’ in the play while Crona McCarthy won ‘Best Stage Setting’ and young Farah McCarthy also received a Recognition award for Best Young Actress.

This is the group’s fifth All-Ireland title and Denis, whose family are rooted in Kilmeen Drama Group, said receiving The Abbey Award was particularly special too as well as winning the overall award.

‘The Abbey themselves sent a producer to view the plays which is completely separate to the adjudicator. They select a play that they would like to be part of their programme and would have different criteria to the adjudicator. It was particular nice to receive this as well as the overall award,’ he told The Southern Star.

‘This was my first time directing the main production and we are the only group to have won it five times, the last being in 2013 after we won three in row.’

The secret to their success is according to Denis the group ethos that surrounds them and the secret to winning at Athlone is getting to Athlone through a number of qualifying stages.

‘There are no stars at the top of the pyramid driving everything, it’s driven by the group. Other groups are especially envious of our set crew with about 15 to 20 people and it gives us massive scope.

Just three members of the 1976 show cast survive - Margaret Mahon and Michael O’Mahony were in Athlone, while Teddy O’Sullivan was represented by his nephew Denis.

‘I arrived up in Athlone and we had plumbers, carpenters, tilers and it means that we can build fantastic sets and transport them and Drinagh Co-op have been supportive to us in moving those sets. It really does take a village to produce successful productions.’

He said the homecoming was one to remember too for all the cast and crew who worked so hard on the production but they have no time to rest as they are bringing their production to the Peacock Theatre in Dublin this coming bank holiday weekend following their Abbey Award win. He also received an email from Enda Walsh congratulating them on their win.

‘We will be having four shows at the smaller Peacock Theatre within the Abbey Theatre and it’s a fantastic honour to be doing it and tickets are already selling fast for the shows.’

However, those in West Cork who haven’t had a chance to see ‘Ballyturk’ have one more chance as they have announced one last show this Friday May 22nd at the Rossmore Theatre. Tickets are €15 at the door.