Rachel Toner presents Lily Rose , Eugene and Joe  their awards at  Abbey Lane Theatre's inaugural poetry competition which kicked off February's Open Mic.

Lily Rose Conway was delighted to be presented with our cash prize for overall winner.

'Great Oak'. on the topic Nature, was the unanimous winner among the judges and  Lily Rose read out her poem in front of a full house . 

Highly commended certificates were awarded to Eugene Dugan-Brause for his 'Deadlock Deja Vu' on the topic Groundhog Day and Joe McGinley's

'Three in to two' on the topic Loves Triangle. 

We would like to acknowledge all the poets who submitted to the competition and to such a high standard throughout.

'Great Oak'    by LilyRose Conway.

Sharp snaps, halted tracks

Soaring oak, old as ages,

Painfully bent, barraged,

Felled at hands of men.

Groaning surrender,

Sinfully fascinating sight,

This timeless majesty slain,

Joining its neighbours blight.

                  ***

'Deadlock Deja Vu' by Eugene Dugan-Brause

Border on water

Border on land

Border in the government

Dwelling of the damned.

You who share power,

show us the way.

Probably not. Likely not.

Not on Groundhog Day.

             *** 

'Three in to two' by Joe McGinley

Armagh Theatre Group are  delighted with the response to our new poetry competition 30/3/30.

We would love to see all participants at tomorrow nights Open Mic if possible but can we give you a big

for all your submissions. The standard of poetry was very high and a great spread over the 3 topics which gave the 

judges a torturous time picking a winner. Highly commendable certificates  will therefore be presenting to 3 runners up in each topic.

So hope to see as many poets as possible and thanks once again for making this inaugeral 30/3/30 a success.

Membership of Armagh Theatre Group  is an annual payment of £30 which greatly helps to maintain  Abbey Lane Theatre and all the necessary public liability, health and fire regulations & insurances. As a registered charity we are now obliged under Charity Commission regulations  to produce detailed annual accounts. These have to be professionally produced . Your membership fee allows us to 'keep the doors open' and lets us do what we are here for.....to provide AMATURE DRAMA & ARTS for our community. Less than a penny a day and you can help to enrich lives through Drama, poetry ,music, writing ,songs , stories & much more.

You can download a Bankers Order through the membership section on this website www.armaghtheatregroup/membership.com 

OR drop into your Bank  with these details and set up a standing order.

ARMAGH THEATRE Co Ltd, Bank of Ireland, English St , ARMAGH. sort code 90/20/47 a/c no 40166793.

THANK YOU for considering us.

Our poetry competition  30/3/30 (30 words/3 topics to choose/ £30 for winner) closes tomorrow night at midnight for submissions.

If you are thinking of entering get your finger out and get your submissions in!

 Armagh Theatre Group are hosting a play reading of 'Bleak Expectations' by Mark Evans on Tuesday 21st Feb at 7.30 in Abbey Lane Theatre, Armagh;  BT61 7DW.

The play has been described as "Gloriously Daft" and "the story that Charles Dickens might have written after drinking too much gin" - You've guessed....it's funny and has a huge Dickens size cast so lots and lots of parts!

Spread the word and encourage as many would-be actors to come along. No previous acting experience necessary

The evening will include a warm Abbey Lane welcome,light refreshments, introductions and readings.

                                                                                                      Take your first steps to a hobby on stage!

                Abbey Lane Poetry Competition 30/3/30

                        30 words/3 topics/£30

             We are accepting submissions now. Entries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by end Feb 17^th .

Contact details in body of email. Titled poem in attachment with no personal details. Title of work not included in 30 words. Word doc etc no PDF’s

RULES:  Judge’s decisions are final. Winner takes all.

*One poem per submission on one subject. Submitting for each topic is allowed on separate attachments.

 *Original unpublished work.    Format open.

*Winner announced at next Open Mic (last Friday of month).

 *Reading by author on the night, when possible, and cash prize presented.

  *Winning work showcased on our website (copyright remains with the author).

Topics 1) Loves’ triangle. 2) Nature.  3) Groundhog day.

       Best wishes to all participants and have fun! 

There wasn't room to swing the cat in Abbey Lane last night, (which was a great relief to tabby) as our Open Mic returned 

with a packed audience. We were delighted with the response and the varied 'acts' throughout the evening made for an eclectic mix.

A delayed start to accommodate the crowd was quickly forgotten when our guest artist Doreen McBride took to the stage and enthralled us with her life story and tales of Ulster folklore.

The many  participants on stage included poets, storytellers singers, musicians and comics. Starting with John Henderson;Stephen Clendenning; John McAndrew;Joe McCool;Stevie C;Eugene McStravick;Una;Theo Stinson; Jay Rafferty; Dymphna; Matthew Toner; Anna Grindel; Matty; Frances Lavery;Mark Brownlee;Terry Conlon; Tim Hanna and the last applause was for Peter Kelly. Seven poets (original work); two comics, four musicians/singers(original and covers); two storytellers/yarns and three singers (cappella). .....

We also had time to launch our new free poetry competition 30/3/30 ....30 words/ 3 topics/ £30. All details have been posted on our website under News/Blog and on our FBpage Armagh Theatre Groupatg. Submissions for this first month to be in by 17th Feb to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Not bad value for £5.

Thank you to our guest Doreen, all the participants who performed and all that helped organise and clear up after for the Armagh Youth Theatre Group in the morning. Next Open Mic will be on 24th February with a new Guest artist and the winner of the 30/3/30 Poetry Competition.

A momentous year for Armagh Theatre Group as you will see in this review of the year by Aisling Kelly.

We started with rehearsals of MyBrilliant Divorce directed by Kevin McEneaney which was performed in Abbey Lane Theatre,

MarketPlace Theatre, Craic Theatre, Southbank Playhouse Belfast and Garage Theatre Monaghan. Well done to Bridie, Margery and David  for excellent performances throughout. Also a big thank you for Lorcan McEneaney (transport) Allan and John (technical) and all who helped to make this such a success. 

March saw the first live staged production in two years when our adopted daughter Cathy Carson brought her 'Becoming Marvellous' one woman show to Abbey Lane . Packing our theatre for both nights Cathy has went on to perform this show throughout these islands to universal praise. And shes has made time to attend a couple of OMN's in this busiest of years for her.

Open Mic Night's returned in February and the influx of new writers, musicians and singers along with our loyal contributors coming back in numbers made our monthly gathering buzz with talent. 

2022 saw the return of 'Impact' our Armagh Rail disaster play which performed to full houses in Tthe Studio Theatre Market Place in November. Directed by Margery Quinn ( yes the same Margery as in MBD) with a cast of almost 50 she weaved her magic to produce another blockbuster memorable production. (Keep a note for Impact's return in November 2023 MPT)

The cast also included all the nembers of our new Armagh Youth Theatre Group which began this year under the tutlage of Aisling Kelly and Adam Trotter and all things considered probably the most important development for the 'Group'  in years.

A re vamped lighting dock to accommodate the increasing techy equipment and give breathing space to our wonderful tech team was finished in November with  extra mic spots and wiring to improve our audience's experience.

So all in all a busy year for all the members of Armagh Theatre Group and looking forward to further progress in 2023. Thank you for all your vital and continuing support and best wishes for the New Year.

https://fb.watch/hCGSHgS4I7/ link to celebration video.

Please enter the city centre via Dobbin Street then turn right into Linenhall St and to the car park from there..

Open Mic starts 8pm tonight.