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theatre · Tuesday 1 September 2026 · 8:00pm 
Armagh Theatre Group Mini Plays Festival - Abbey Lane Theatre
At Abbey Lane Theatre · Abbey Lane, Armagh, Co. Armagh BT61 7DW
At Abbey Lane Theatre · Abbey Lane, Armagh, Co. Armagh BT61 7DW
Three nights, ten short plays, one intimate 55-seat theatre in the middle of Armagh city. The Mini Plays Festival is one of those events that reminds you what amateur theatre can do at its best - no padding, no filler, just a rapid succession of brand-new short works by writers from across Ireland and beyond, all performed by the members of Armagh Theatre Group. If you like theatre that moves fast and takes a few chances, this is the autumn evening to plan around.
The format is simple and effective. Armagh Theatre Group puts out an open call for short play scripts earlier in the year. Scripts are read and selected anonymously, so the judges are responding purely to the writing. Each chosen playwright receives a small royalty, retains the rights to their work, and gets to see it brought to life on stage by the ATG company.
For the 2026 festival, ten plays have been selected from the submissions received, with writers including Judy Klass, Tim Hanna, Patrick McKenna, Rachel Toner, Mark Brownlee, and Byddi Lee among those whose work will be staged. Spread across three evenings, the plays cover a range of styles and subjects - the mix tends to reflect how wide the submissions net was cast, so expect the unexpected.
Abbey Lane Theatre itself is part of the appeal. Built in 1991 and seating just 55, it sits off Linenhall Street in the centre of Armagh, tucked between Scotch Street and Dobbin Street. There is no bad seat. The group has been putting on productions here since the theatre opened, and before that since 1965 - their first production was Our Town, directed by a young Seamus Mallon. That history is visible in how confidently they run a night like this.
Armagh city is well served by road. From Belfast, the M1 and A3 bring you in from the north-east; from Dublin, the A1/N1 corridor via Newry is the most direct route. Ulsterbus operates services into Armagh bus station on Lonsdale Road, about a ten-minute walk from the theatre. There is on-street parking in the city centre and a number of car parks nearby - Armagh is a compact city and the theatre is easy to reach on foot once you are in town.
Armagh is a city that rewards a wander before curtain up - two cathedrals on opposing hills, a Georgian mall, and the observatory if you want a longer afternoon of it. There is more to see in Armagh and across Co. Armagh.
Heading to Abbey Lane Theatre in Armagh? Armagh has plenty more to see. Read the Armagh area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.