Runaway success on the Delvin stage
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Ciara Cunningham from South Africa, Eimear Quinn from Crossakiel, and Lisa Cunningham from South Africa.Image 2 of 22
Feilim O’Neill, Mick Roban members of Delvin Valley Drama Group.Image 3 of 22
Michael Leonard, Delvin, and Martin and Margaret Coyle, Mullingar.Image 4 of 22
Bernard and Sarah Darcy from Raheny, Dublin.Image 5 of 22
David Murphy, Dublin, and Stephan Walsh, Navan.Image 6 of 22
Liam Tiernan, Collinstown, and Rita McGrath, Delvin.Image 7 of 22
Aggie and Frank Brady from Delvin.Image 8 of 22
Barry and Rhoda O’Dare from Delvin.Image 9 of 22
Ronan Leonard (MC and set sponsor), Gráinne Johnston (director and producer), and Frank Shouldice (playwright).Image 10 of 22
Ronan Leonard (MC and set sponsor), Tony Comiskey (volunteer), Gráinne Johnston (director and producer) and Frank Shouldice (playwright).Image 11 of 22
Cast members of A Few White Lies, back, Laura Nagle, Nina O’Grady Murphy, Emma Woulfe and Gráinne Johnston (director); front, Johnny O’Toole, Eoghan Geoghegan and Luke Murphy.Image 12 of 22
Back from left, Taylor Lee, Paula Mullen, Jordie (Baxter) Thompson, Laura Nagle, Nina O’Grady Murphy, Emma Woulfe and Gráinne Johnston; front, Ronan Leonard, Johnny O’Toole, Eoghan Geoghegan and Luke Murphy.Image 13 of 22
Jordie (Baxter) Thompson (stage manager), Gráinne Johnston (director and producer), Paula Mullen (producer and founder of Runaway Drama Group), Taylor Lee (marketing manager and artist), and Ronan Leonard (set sponsor and MC).Image 14 of 22
Margaret Hughes and Marian Cox, volunteers who helped run the shop on the night.Image 15 of 22
Nathan and Lauren Owens ready to enjoy the show.Image 16 of 22
Geraldine Clogher from Clonmellon, Rachel Connell from Castlepollard, Deirdre Clogher from Castlepollard, and Rita McGrath from Delvin enjoying the evening at the play.Image 17 of 22
Mary Healy and Brídín White from Mullingar.Image 18 of 22
Fergus and Christine Kearney from Delvin.Image 19 of 22
Deirdre McMahon from Dunshaughlin, and Mary Rose O’Grady from Leixlip.Image 20 of 22
Angela O’Grady and Marian Lyons from Dublin.Image 21 of 22
The crowd ready to see A Few White Lies in Delvin Hall.Image 22 of 22
Ronan Leonard opening up the show.A Few White Lies, a play by writer and director Frank Shouldice, was staged by Runaway Drama Group on Friday and Saturday week last at St Patrick’s Hall, Delvin. The two-act play was last performed 22 years ago. Set in 2003 Ireland, at the height of the Celtic Tiger, the storyline follows three couples in their 20s and 30s. It’s a tale of affairs, guilt, and betrayals.
There were six cast members: Laura Nagle, played Elaine; Nina O’Grady Murphy, portrayed Audrey; Johnny O’Toole, took on the role of Barry; Eoghan Geoghegan, played Michael; Emma Woulfe, was cast as Jane; and Luke Murphy played Raymond.
All cast members had never performed on a stage before, so this was their debut. Director and producer Gráinne Johnston is the first female director of the play. Gráinne originally found the play in March 2025: “I met Frank by chance at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2025, and in a brief conversation I mentioned I had a script of his, and the rest is history,” said Gráinne.
Casting had begun at the end of August, and 120 hours of hard work and dedication had gone into perfecting the play for the Delvin Hall, Gráinne told the Westmeath Examiner. “We’re amateurs, everyone has tried their best and everyone has been working full-time jobs and commuting from Dublin as well throughout.”
Both nights featured raffle prizes to win, such as from McElhinney’s Fore Men, Athboy, Flower Innovations, Kells, The Annebrook House Hotel, MJ Beauty, a breakfast hamper and more.
With an amazing turnout on both nights, the atmosphere in Delvin Hall was vibrant and people travelling from afar to come and see the play. Additional dates for A Few White Lies are February 14 and 15, 2026, in Bailieborough Courthouse, Cavan.