Glenamaddy Drama Festival
All-Ireland Confined Finals - 2010
Friday April 16th 2010 to Saturday  April 24th 2010
Adjudicator - Michael O'Hara
Home
Latest News

Festival Information
Official Opening
Programme 2010
Festival Committee
Festival Awards
Festival Results
Festival Adjudicator
Booking Details
Contact Us
Sponsors & Patrons

Group Information
Technical Specifications
 Location
Where to Stay
Places to Eat

Drama Information
Festival History
Previous Festivals
Previous Adjudicators
Previous Results
Festival Links
Photo Gallery
Glenamaddy Players

Local Information
Glenamaddy
Festival Guestbook

~ GLENAMADDY ~
It has been argued for a long time what the exact meaning, and Irish for Glenamaddy is. Some say it is derived from the Irish Gleann na Madadh, Gleann meaning valley and madhadh from madra meaning dog. This would suggest that the name means Valley of the Dogs. The suggested meaning for this being the shape of the Glenamaddy Turlough as looked at from above.
Glenamaddy was located in what was the medieval kingdom of Uí Díarmata, ruled by the O Concannon dynasty. The town itself did not develop until the 1820s when a church was built and regular markets began in the town. From this time on the town began to grow and shops and pubs sprang up around the square and on the four roads leading into the town which are famous from the song of the same name. In 1853 a workhouse was built on the Creggs road.
~~~~~~~~~~
~ GLENAMADDY CHURCH ~
churchIn 1904 St. Patrick's church was build to replace the older church which was in the grounds of where the town graveyard stands today. You can find current information in regards to the church by following the link to Glenamaddy Church. In 1909 St. Bridget's Town Hall was built and played an important role in the social and cultural life of the parish and has been the home of Glenamaddy Drama Festival for the last number of years since its renovation. 
In 1924 a mill was built in Leitra, this gave badly needed employment to the area. Other places of interest include a megalithic tomb at Ballinastack, a crannóg on Kiltullagh lake and the Jeremiah Mee Memorial on the wall outside Phelan's lounge. In the early 20th century markets were hugely popular in the town as for some small cottage industries it was the main outlet for their wares. Cattle, pigs, sheep, animal feeds, and household supplies were all sold at these markets and large crowds gathered in the town on these days. All goods being sold in the town were weighed at the weigh-house.
~~~~~~~~~~
~ MUSIC & DRAMA ~
Glenamaddy boasts a history in both Music and Drama with the Old Esker Ballroom being one of the first Dancehalls in the West of Ireland which later became known as "The Sound of Music". Additionally drama has a long and varied history in the town with the Glenamaddy Players formerly known as Playgroup 72 having competed on the Festival Circuit for many years. In 1996 Glenamaddy Players reached the All-Ireland Drama Finals and finished 2nd to Boolavogue with their production of "The Playboy of the Western World" and have featured in the All-Irelands with other plays such as "Eclipsed" and "The Communication Cord" to name a few.
~~~~~~~~~~

map~ LOCATION ~
Situated in North East Galway - the town is easy accessible from all directions. Approximately 35 miles from Galway, 18 miles from Roscommon and 30 miles from Athlone.
The festival this year will be held in the Glenamaddy Community Centre which is located on the Creggs Rd beside the local Town Hall theatre. It is approximately 250 yards from the town centre and on the left hand side as you exit Glenamaddy.
The hall boasts seating for approximately 400 people and houses a beatufil stage and ample lighting and sound equipment. Further details of hall layout / equipment will be available to groups who qualify for the All-Ireland Drama Confined Festival.
~~~~~~~~~~
~ SPORTS ~
On the sporting front Glenamaddy can be proud of its local G.A.A club who play in the Galway Senior League and have numerous teams of all Age groups competing in the various leagues on an annual basis. It also is the home of Glen Celtic - a local based Amateur Soccer Club who were founded in 1977 and throughout the years have won numerous cups and trophies at all age groups from U8's through to Over 35's.
~~~~~~~~~~