The 2026 Féile Náisiúnta Scoildrámaíochta – All-Ireland Irish Language School Drama Festival – was recently hosted at the Mullingar Arts Centre.
The event featured over 44 performances from primary and secondary schools across 20 categories.
Congratulations and well done to Scoil Adhamhnáin, Lunniagh, Gaoth Dobhair that scooped two prizes at this year’s festival. The 3rd and 4th Class pupils staged the drama Tír na nÓg and won a prize in their own category, while Cathal Ó Colla, who played the part of Féilimí in the drama, won the Best Actor award. Cathal had also won this award earlier this year at local and regional level. The drama was written and produced by their teacher Manus Ó Duibhir.
The young actors along with a number of their teachers travelled to Dublin on Thursday to collect their awards. Parents and friends turned out in great numbers to give a heartfelt welcome home to the children following their remarkable success at national level.
Manus said that after months of dedication, rehearsals and hard work, the children delivered performances of the highest standard on the national stage and were deservedly rewarded with two prestigious awards.
Their achievement was greeted with loud applause and cheers as they arrived home. To mark their success, each pupil was presented with a medal and a bag of goodies.
School principal, Donna Uí Fhearraigh, spoke of the confidence, talent and teamwork displayed by the group throughout and praised Manus Ó Duibhir , the other teachers, and mentors who guided and encouraged the pupils every step of the way.
She said the success has brought enormous pride to the school, providing once again the wealth of young acting that exists within the area.
Graceann Brady pictured with her grandchildren: Ria, Sarah and Aoibh Nic Pháidín.