Mayo town to host major national Irish-language drama festival

An tOireachtas na Gaeilge has announced that the 2026 Féile Náisiúnta Drámaíochta will take place in Westport from March 19 to 21, bringing Irish-language community drama groups from across the country to the town.

The annual festival will see theatre groups perform original productions in Irish at the Westport Town Hall Theatre over the three-day event.

The festival will be officially launched on Thursday, March 19 at 6.30pm by Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

According to festival organisers, the event celebrates the long tradition of community drama in the Irish language while bringing together performers, audiences and critics from around the country.

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Muireann Ní Dhroighneáin, National Coordinator of the Irish Language Performing Arts Programme, said the organisation was delighted that this year’s festival would be held in Westport.

“Nine community theatre groups from across the country will be presenting impressive plays over the weekend, marking the beginning of a revival in this art form,” she said.

“This art form has historically been woven into the fabric of cultural and community life in the Irish language. The festival is an opportunity to celebrate this heritage and to be in the company of old friends and new.”

Among the groups performing at the festival are Aisteoirí an Spidéil from Spiddal, Co. Galway; Cumann Drámaíochta Naomh Pádraig from Westport; Aisteoirí an Lóchrann from Co. Carlow; Cumann Drámaíochta Ollscoil na Gaillimhe; Ardán Mhaigh Eo from Castlebar; Aisteoirí an Sciobóil from Donegal; Aisteoirí Bhréanainn from Kerry; and Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair from Gweedore.

Each group will present its own production during the festival, offering audiences a diverse range of performances under the stage lights.

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In addition to the drama performances, festival-goers can attend social events including Club na Féile, which will take place in the The Mariner Hotel on Friday and Saturday nights. Music will be provided by musicians including Tom Doherty and David Doocey.

Organisers are encouraging people to book tickets early as the event is expected to attract audiences from across the country.

Founded in 1897, An tOireachtas is one of Ireland’s leading cultural organisations promoting literature and the performing arts in the Irish language and hosts a range of events throughout the year to support Irish-language creativity and community participation.