10, Ingleside Drive, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, BT82 8QU,

Mobile: 0044 7884233240, Phone: 028 (048) 71383111

Email: a_mccay@hotmail.com

Aodh Mc Cay has devoted his adult life to theatre, as a director, actor, adjudicator, and educator across Ireland’s vibrant drama festival circuit. Over many years, he has directed and performed in a wide range of productions, earning numerous accolades including Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Stage Lighting. His work has been showcased at both the All-Ireland Open and Confined Finals.

Aodh’s approach to adjudicating is rooted in constructive critique, aimed at deepening understanding and appreciation of theatrical performance while encouraging and inspiring performers, production teams, and audiences alike. He has adjudicated throughout Ireland, including at the Ulster Drama Finals and the Northern Ireland One Act Drama Finals, and has served as standby adjudicator for the All-Ireland Confined Finals. He is also a member of the executive committee of the Association of Drama Adjudicators (ADA).

As a director, stage lighting designer, and actor, his work ranges from dramas such as Translations, The Last Apache Reunion, and Twelve Angry Men, to comedies including Run for Your Wife, Calendar Girls, and Why Not Stay for Breakfast? Most recently, he co-wrote and directed the stage comedy Nip and Tuck, which is currently touring professionally in Ireland, with future productions planned in Scotland and England.

Aodh has directed many musical productions ranging from opera, including Carmen, to musicals such as West Side Story, Oklahoma!, Mamma Mia!, The Sound of Music, Hairspray, and Footloose, as well as five separate productions of Grease – The Musical. He is also the author and director of twenty-two pantomimes.

In addition to his stage work, Aodh was commissioned by the BBC to write screenplays for animated adaptations of GCSE English Literature texts for the Bitesize educational platform. He holds postgraduate qualifications in Drama and Media Studies, including an M.A., and has extensive experience teaching drama and delivering workshops. He currently serves as Chief Examiner of GCSE English Literature for Northern Ireland.

Previous drama festival adjudications include:

• Claremorris Drama Festival 2026,
• Kiltyclogher Drama Festival 2025,
• Strabane Drama Festival 2025,
• Enniskillen Drama Festival 2024,
• West Clare One Act Drama Festival 2023,
• North Cork Drama Festival, 2023,
• Northern Ireland One Act Drama Finals 2023
• West Cork One Act Drama Festival, 2022,
• Ulster Drama Finals 2022
• All Ireland Confined Finals 2022 (Standby adjudicator)
• Kerry Drama Festival 2022
• Northern Ireland One Act Drama Finals 2018
• Gorey One Act Drama Festival 2021
• North Cork Drama Festival 2020
• Western One Act Drama Festival 2019
• Gorey Drama Festival 2019
• Larne Drama Festival 2018
• City of Derry Drama Festival 2017
• Strabane Drama Festival 2016
• Carrigallen One Act Drama Festival 2017
• Newtownabbey One Act Drama Festival 2015
• Ballymahon One Act Drama Festival 2014
• Castlereagh One Act Drama Festival 2012