Marvellous night for Mayo musical societies at the AIMS
Last Saturday night was certainly a proud occasion for three Mayo musical societies at the 2026 AIMS Awards. Ballinrobe Musical Society's Rhea May Murphy won the Outstanding Youth Performance accolade. Rhea May played the role of young Anna in the Ballinrobe Musical Society’s epic production of Frozen: The Musical, which took place last April.
The Ballinrobe Musical Society’s PRO Eimear McGovern said: “We were absolutely over the moon to see Rhea May honoured with the AIMS Outstanding Youth Performance award. “Rhea May immediately made an impression on all of us from the day we met her at auditions. She is extremely talented, confident, witty, exceptionally polite, and got on so well with the entire cast. She was an absolute dream to work with.
“On Saturday, we were moved and unbelievably proud to see such a talented, likeable, brilliant girl recognised by AIMS for her outstanding portrayal of Young Anna. We have no doubt that Rhea May has an incredibly bright future ahead of her. “We wish her the very best with all her future endeavours.”
Rhea May is nine years old and was performing as Young Anna in her very first musical. She was joined on stage for Frozen: The Musical by her mother, Bernie.
Ballinrobe Musical Society’s production of Frozen: The Musical was also nominated for Best Actress for Lorna Dennehy, who played Anna, and Best Comedian for Ethan McNea, who played Olaf.
The Castlebar Musical and Dramatic Society had a total of eight nominations and two wins at the AIMS for their superb production of ‘We Will Rock You’ The Musical. Chris McLaughlin won the award for Best Male Singer, whilst Caoimhe Halligan received the award for Best Female Singer. Castlebar Musical Society’s six other nominations were for Best Visual, Best Technical, Best Choral Singing, Best Ensemble, Best Director (Donna Ruane), and Best Overall Show.
Claremorris Musical Society also received recognition for their fantastic production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with the south Mayo musical society having five nominations at last Saturday’s AIMS. The nominations were Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Mary Dempsey; Best Comedian, Nicole Scott; Outstanding Youth Performance, Abbie Flatley; Outstanding Youth Performance, Michael Farrell; Best Visual, Claremorris Musical Society.
The annual AIMS awards recognise excellence in amateur musical theatre. A total of 50 awards were given out at this year’s event held in the INEC Killarney, which is attended by over 1,000 people annually.