The Claregalway-Carnmore drama group Compántas Lir were celebrating this week after their production of the classic Elmer Harris play Johnny Belinda finished second in the All-Ireland drama finals in Waterford.
There was even greater success for cast member Fidelma O'Rourke who won the coveted Best Supporting Actress award at the finals in Ballyduff at the weekend.
Fidelma has been acting with Compántas Lir for many years, but her performance as Maggie McDonald was deemed to have been the best by international-acclaimed adjudicator Russell Boyce, who said that she brought a great intensity and energy to her role.
The group also won Best Presentation at the finals, and there were nominations for young actress Ruth O'Driscoll and actor Vincent Moran, as well as for producer Brid Conneely and stage manager Carmel Kenny.
The success at the All-Ireland finals brought an end to a successful year for the group having won five dramas festivals and attained their highest ever placing in the All-Ireland drama finals.
They also played a sell-out run at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway, during a run which saw them perform Johnny Belinda on more than a dozen occasions in a five week spell.
