Leitrim’s Elizabeth Doonan wins best actress and Hoodwink advance to
All-Ireland

Hoodwink Theatre Productions swept the stage in Carrigallen at the weekend, delivering a powerful performance of Wildling that not only brought audiences to their feet but secured the group a coveted place in the All-Ireland One Act Drama Finals. The Cavan-based company, which includes strong Carrigallen connections, earned multiple awards at the Corn Mill Theatre’s 21st Annual One Act Drama Festival, marking one of their most successful outings to date.

At the centre of this triumph was Carrigallen’s own Elizabeth Doonan, whose commanding portrayal of Fiadh Connolly earned her the title of Best Actress (Confined). Her performance was a major factor in Hoodwink’s surge to the top of the festival rankings, reinforcing the group’s reputation for high-calibre, emotionally driven theatre.

But the weekend belonged equally — and unmistakably — to Hoodwink as a unit: their direction, staging, ensemble work and technical craft came together in a production that festival adjudicator Evelyn O’Sullivan described as “one of those rare pieces where everything lands exactly as it should.”

Hoodwink take centre stage

From the moment the lights rose on Wildling, it was clear Hoodwink had brought something special to the Corn Mill stage. The set — designed by playwright and cast member Elaine Birkett — evoked a haunting, moonlit lakeshore, its simplicity allowing the emotional weight of the story to dominate. The production’s atmosphere was so striking it carried the group to a win for Best Stage Craft, awarded to the technical team of Jeff Keogh, Mark McDermott and Seamus Farrell.

Festival director Philip McIntyre reserved particular praise for Hoodwink’s achievement, noting not just their artistic excellence but the pride they brought to the region.

“Hoodwink’s performance was something truly special,” McIntyre said. “To see a group with such strong local roots — and led by actors from this community — now heading to the All-Ireland is a proud moment for Carrigallen and for the Corn Mill Theatre.”

McIntyre emphasised that Hoodwink’s success reflects years of commitment from both the group and the venue.

“It’s fantastic to see our region represented at this level,” he added. “They earned every bit of it.”

The performance that led the way

While Wildling is very much an ensemble piece, the emotional heartbeat of the production came from Doonan’s interpretation of Fiadh Connolly — a woman drawn back to the memories and unresolved grief of 1981 Ireland.

Adjudicator O’Sullivan, who spent the weekend offering detailed insights to each group, singled out Doonan for her nuanced portrayal.

“Elizabeth delivered a performance of remarkable depth,” O’Sullivan said. “It was controlled, truthful and beautifully observed — the kind of work that stays with an audience long after the lights go down.”

But O’Sullivan was equally effusive about the group as a whole.

“Direction, performance, staging — it all came together beautifully,” she said. “Hoodwink’s work represents the very best of what the one act circuit can produce.”

Audience members agreed. One festival-goer described the show as “seamless,” adding, “You weren’t watching a group performing a play — you were watching a living moment unfold.”

The play behind the success

Written by Elaine Birkett, Wildling centres on Fiadh’s return to a place of emotional significance. While walking her dog one evening, Birkett reportedly pictured the lake at dusk and felt a story unfolding. That instinct became the foundation for a script that weaves past and present, realism and memory, tenderness and tension.

Birkett not only wrote the play but also produced it, designed the set, and stepped into the role of the social worker — a demanding combination that showcases her creative versatility.

Supporting performances from Sharon O’Neill, Oisín Hourican, Pádraig Reilly and Birkett herself gave the production its layered texture, while the award-winning technical team created the sound, lighting and staging that transported audiences into Fiadh’s world.

A festival rooted in tradition and community pride

Now in its 21st year, the Corn Mill Theatre’s One Act Drama Festival remains a flagship event in the local arts calendar. Over three nights, groups from across Ireland gathered in Carrigallen, creating a vibrant atmosphere of competition, camaraderie and shared love of theatre.

Locals from Carrigallen, Killeshandra, Aughavas and surrounding areas filled the foyer nightly, swapping predictions, discussing performances and celebrating the homegrown talent on display.

During his opening remarks, McIntyre thanked the dozens of volunteers who make the festival possible each year.

“The theatre doesn’t run on bricks and mortar,” he said. “It runs on people — and we are lucky to have some of the best.”

Individual Award Winners

Hoodwink were the dominant winners of the night, taking multiple top honours:

Best Actress (Confined)
Elizabeth Doonan as “Fiadh Connolly” – Wildling, Hoodwink Theatre Productions

Best Stage Craft – Sean Donnelly Perpetual Trophy
Jeff Keogh, Mark McDermott & Seamus Farrell – Hoodwink Theatre Productions

Other awards included:

Adjudicator’s Award – Aidan Harte Perpetual Trophy
Balally Players – “The Gun Shot” moment of theatre

Best Actor (Confined)
Kevin O’Leary as “Tony” – Daddy’s Gone a Hunting, Carraig na bhFear ADG (Cork)

Best Actor (Open)
Daniel O’Regan as “Ray” – Lonestar, Gunpowder Productions (Cork)

Best Actress (Open)
Claire Hilary as “Bridget” – Bogboy, Balally Players (Dublin)

Heading to the All-Ireland

With festival ribbons in hand and glowing reviews behind them, Hoodwink Theatre Productions now move forward to the All-Ireland One Act Finals, representing both Cavan and Carrigallen with pride.

For the group, it’s a chance to showcase their work on the biggest amateur theatre stage in the country. For Carrigallen, it’s a moment of celebration — proof once again that rural communities produce world-class talent when given the space, support and stage to shine.

As the Corn Mill audience rose to applaud Hoodwink on Sunday night, one thing was clear: this is not just a win for the group. It is a victory for local theatre, for community creativity, and for the enduring spirit of storytelling that thrives in places like Carrigallen.

And for Elizabeth Doonan — and the entire Hoodwink team — the journey is only beginning.

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