Lislea has a theatrical tradition to rival any in the country. In 1904, Players, a group inspired by local teachers Michael McParland and Eugene O’Callaghan and mentored by Canon Charles Quin, began performing plays in the Pembroke Hall. Although this trailblazing troupe dissolved around 1930, they were replaced a decade later by Lislea Dramatic Players, who are still thriving today. Lislea Rural Drama Festival Committee, 1982 The Committee included Eugene Hannaway (Chairman), Michael McCann (Vice-Chairman), Josephine McParland (Secretary), Peter McParland (Treasurer), Pat Hannaway, Gerry McParland, The Festival owes its existence to this group, and to the Eileen Keane, Tony McParland, Hugh Murphy, Mary Murphy, Madge Hannaway, Joe Murphy, Leo Garvey, Denis Crawley, vision of one of its leading members, Eugene Hannaway. Tommy Keane and Thomas Crawley Sensing a rekindling of interest in rural theatre in the 1980s, he hoped that establishing a drama competition in Lislea would boost that renaissance. His idea received overwhelming endorsement from his current colleagues, and also from the

Cast of Lislea Dramatic Players Cast of Lislea Dramatic Players pathfinding players of the 1940s, such as Cissie Hughes, Pat in the 1985 production of “The in the 2003 production of “All my Wood of the Whispering”, by Sons”, by Arthur Miller. Hannaway, Terry O’Hanlon, Malachy Hannaway and Michael M.J. Molloy. (L-R) Back: Lynore King, (L-R): Front Row: E. Hannaway, Cathal Murphy, Thomas Keane 1st Lislea Rural Drama Festival 13th Lislea Drama th 1982 Festival 26 Lislea Drama J. Murphy with ‘Lass’ McParland, (Co-Producer), Sharon McParland, rd 1994 Festival 33 Lislea Drama John McCann. Festival 2007 Adjudicator: 2014 Mary McNulty, P. McParland Liam Hannaway, Joe Murphy Bill McKay Kenny Adjudicator: Roma Tomelty Adjudicator: Carnegie David Grant Adjudicator: Back Row: J. McParland, (Set Designer) Biddy White Lennon Saval Dramatic Society Castle Players, M. McCann, Anna McParland, Middle: Aidan McParland, “All the King’s Horses” Dundalk Clann Eireann “Sive” Amateur Drama D.A.D.S., Dunmore, Group, Co. Co. Galway L. Garvey, T. Keane, Anne McCann, Walter Bradley “A Peace of History” “On Such As We” St. Jude’s Amateur Dramatic Society, Lislea Dramatic A. Hannaway (Co-Producer), Leo Garvey Players Millrace Drama Group, “The Rale McCoy” “Big Maggie” Co. Cavan Stagefright Theatre “A&E” Company, Omagh Front L-R: Mary Murphy, Lake-End Players, “Nightmare” Glasdrummond The Forge Players, “Professor Tim” Castledawson Kilrush Drama Group, Pius Tierney, Ryan McParland “Cuckoo’s Nest at Co.Wexford Lislea Dramatic Christmas” “Antigone” Players Lislea Dramatic “The Odd Couple” Players Trim Amateur “Anyone Could Rob a Dramatic Society Newmarket Drama Kilrush Drama Group, Bank” “The Crucible” Group, Co. Cork Carnew, Dramatic “Moll” Co. Wicklow “The Cavalcaders” Group Moneyglass Dramatic “Wigs on the Green” Society Panto Players “Knocknagow” “Love Knows No Right Schull Drama Group, of Way” Co. Cork The Droll Players, “Buried Child” Ballynahinch Corcaghan Players, “The Year of the Hiker” Co. Monaghan Lislea Dramatic “On Trial” Players Puddle Alley, “The Odd Couple” Strabane, Co. Tyrone Castleblayney Players “Caught in the Net” “One Flew Over the BackBurners Drama Cuckoo’s Nest” Circle, Stage Aid Musical and Newtownstewart Drama Society, “The Beauty Queen of Gilford, Co. Down Leenane” “The Departure Pomeroy Players, Lounge” Co. Tyrone Creggan Drama Circle “Juno and the “Them” Glenamaddy Players, Paycock” Co. Galway Cast of Lislea Dramatic Players in the 2010 production of “Agnes of God” “Freedom of the City”, by Brian Friel. (L-R) Standing: Vincent Boyle, Aengus Hannaway, John McElroy, Cathal Murphy, Pius Tierney, Lynore King, The table shows how Lislea Drama Festival has Jerome Burns, Chris Grant increased its appeal over the years, growing to Seated: Liam Hannaway, Kerry Rooney, Anne Garvey, attract competitors from all over Ireland. As a Aidan McParland, Tommy Keane, John Campbell consequence, the repertoire has expanded from traditional, Irish plays to incorporate contemporary, international fare.

Cast of Lislea Dramatic Players in the 2013 production of “Rumours”, Eugene, with the support of an excellent committee, launched by Neil Simon. (L-R) Seated: Lynore King, Catherine Mallon, Orla Murphy, th Anne Garvey Lislea Drama Festival on Friday 29 January 1982. He was Standing: Aidan McParland, Cathal Murphy, Eimear McElroy, also confident that Lislea Dramatic Players could compete Aengus Hannaway, Kerry Rooney, John Campbell in the Festival, as they possessed exciting, new talent, spearheaded by Joe Murphy, a name that will be forever associated with the project.

The first festival, which had six groups drawn from Armagh and Down, exceeded all expectations. The growing popularity of the Festival led to a major reconstruction of the old school for the Millennium Festival, transforming it into a venue worthy Cast of Lislea Dramatic Players in the 2005 production of “Tarry Flynn”, by Patrick Kavanagh. of the Festival’s status. (L-R) Front Row: Walter Bradley, Anne Garvey, Anne McCann, Catriona McParland Middle Row: Lynore King, Sharon McParland, Orla Murphy, Jay Murphy, Clare O’Malley, Aengus Hannaway, Mary Murphy, The ongoing success of Lislea Drama Festival derives from the Aidan McParland, Majella McAteer Back Row: Joe Murphy, Liam Hannaway, Jerome Burns, complex interaction of committee, producer, player, sponsor, Shane McNabb, Seamus Murphy, Cathal Murphy, Pius Tierney, John Quigg, Patrick McNulty adjudicator and audience. Almost 40 years on, it continues to weave its magic spell.

In 1993, Tomas MacAnna, an icon of Irish theatre, remarked, “Lislea is one of the best festivals it has been my Cast of Lislea Dramatic Players in the 1990 production of “A Crucial Week in the Life of a Grocer’s Assistant”, by Tom Murphy. (L-R): Aidan McParland, Joseph Murphy (Producer), Peter McParland, privilege to adjudicate”. Michael McCann, Eugene Hannaway, Majella McAteer, Leo Garvey, Dominic Bradley, Gillian McParland, Seamus Murphy, Walter Bradley, Mary McNulty, Josephine McParland