‘Instrumental’ Joe praised by Roscommon Drama Festival Committee

The Roscommon Drama Festival Committee has congratulated one of its members, Joe Nally, for winning the “Community Cause Champion Award” at the Roscommon Volunteer Awards ceremony. The award ceremony took place at the Hodson Bay Hotel.

This event celebrated volunteerism in County Roscommon in 2025 and was attended by a large crowd, which heard of Joe’s commitment to and enthusiasm for amateur drama over the past number of years.

“Joe joined the drama festival committee in 1968. The festival ran from 1960 to 1980. Following this there was a gap of twenty seven years until Joe took the initiative of reviving the festival in 2007,” the committee said. 

“Joe has been the first and foremost in ensuring the success of Roscommon Drama Festival which is now regarded as among the very best in the country with the cream of Irish amateur drama participating.” 

Mr Nally was very instrumental in securing the wonderful arts centre in Roscommon Town for the festival, and to the forefront in bringing drama to the schools with the short story competition which is run in conjunction with the festival.

“Joe has, and continues to be an integral part of the festival,” the committee continued. “He personifies the very essence of volunteerism as he works to promote a love of drama and a festival which ‘captivates people’s attention, evokes emotions, and provides a source of enjoyment and escape from everyday life’.” 

The 2026 festival, which will feature talent from around the country, will run from March 6th to 14th and is guaranteed to provide the very best of entertainment in the wonderful surroundings of the Roscommon Arts Centre.

“In the meantime we extend our congratulations to Joe, who in the words of the chairperson of the festival, Mairead Nally ‘is now synonymous with the festival’.”