WATCH College Players celebrate 100 years of theatre in Limerick

College Players, one of Ireland’s oldest continually performing amateur drama groups
celebrated its 100th anniversary with a public history exhibition and book launch at The Peoples Museum, 2 Pery Square on Friday, March 20, 2026. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

College Players celebrate its 100th anniversary, marking a century of outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Limerick and Irish theatre

Limerick’s College Players, one of Ireland’s oldest continually performing amateur drama groups, will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026, marking a century of outstanding contribution to the cultural life of Limerick and Irish theatre.

Founded in 1926 by former pupils of St. Munchin’s College, (then located in Henry Street), College Players has remained active through world wars, economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic, earning its place as the second-oldest still-performing theatre group in Ireland.

For generations of audiences, the group’s annual productions, staged at countless venues down through the years, but most recently at the Lime Tree Theatre, have become a cornerstone of Limerick’s theatrical calendar.

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To mark its centenary year, College Players have been running an ambitious 2026 programme of performances, readings, exhibitions and events, which has so far seen the group perform rehearsed readings as part of PURE Limerick Community Arts  Festival, and The Limerick Literary festival (Kate O’Brien) in late February and early March, as well as the launch of a public history exhibition and book at The Peoples Museum, 2 Pery Square in late March/early April.

The public history exhibition runs at The People’s Museum, 2 Pery Square, until Thursday, April 2, and coincides with the launch of ‘College Players – A Century of Theatre’, a 200-page illustrated book available at O’Mahony’s and Easons now!

The group also looks forward to a feature piece in RTE’s Nationwide in early May as well as a major three-act production of Jez Butterworth’s award-winning play The Ferryman at the Lime Tree Theatre in November 2026 – a premiere for Limerick.

Over the past century, College Players has staged hundreds of productions, ranging from classic Irish, British and American drama, to contemporary works and new Irish writing. Recent acclaimed performances include Lend Me A Soprano, by Ken Ludwig,  All My Sons by Arthur Miller, Calendar Girls by Tim Firth, Pigtown by Limerick’s own Mike Finn and Translations by Brian Friel.

The group has also enjoyed significant success on the national and international festival circuit. Highlights include winning the pinnacle of Irish amateur drama, the All-Ireland Amateur Drama Trophy in 1995 with Stephen Berkoff’s Metamorphosis, followed by award-winning performances in Wales, Britain and Japan, as well as invitations to festivals in Monaco, Nova Scotia and Finland.

College Players’ impact extends far beyond the stage. Through initiatives such as the historic Limerick School of Dramatic Art, the group has trained and inspired countless performers, designers and technicians. Alumni include internationally recognised figures such as Richard Harris, as well as prominent names in Irish theatre, broadcasting and public life.

Indeed, in latter years, College was a solid training ground for many of Limerick’s young talent who went on to professional theatre and screen careers in London and beyond.

In addition, the group plans to publish a 200-page illustrated hardback book documenting its 100-year history. The publication, supported by extensive archival research and contributions from leading theatre and history scholars, aims to become a definitive record of College Players journey though Limerick’s theatrical and cultural landscape.

For all these events, dates and venues will be shared across social media and usual media channels during the year.

Speaking about the milestone, Chairman Dave Griffin said, “Reaching 100 years is an extraordinary achievement for any voluntary arts organisation.

“College Players has survived and thrived because of the passion, talent and commitment of generations of people who believed in the power of theatre to enrich our city. As we look to our next century, we remain proud of our past and excited about the future.”

College Players continues to strengthen its future through new partnerships, including a recent collaboration with The GAFF, providing much-needed rehearsal and production space for theatre practitioners in the Midwest.

The group looks forward to an exciting year ahead and hopes to make many contacts with retired and past members during the many events.

Photos: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick