An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish Language Theatre, is delighted to be working with Galway-based Moonfish Theatre as its company in residence. As part of this residency, Moonfish Theatre will offer an open workshop for theatre practitioners who currently work, or are interested in working, through the Irish language. Find out more here...
The workshop will take place in Galway city on November 14th 2026 and will introduce participants to Moonfish’s collaborative devising practice, exploring how language, storytelling, movement, music and other theatrical forms can come together in the creation of original performance. Participants will be encouraged to experiment, collaborate and consider how the Irish language can become an active and creative element of the theatrical process, rather than simply a question of translation.
An Taibhdhearc, based in the heart of Galway city, is Ireland’s National Irish Language Theatre. Established in 1928, it creates, presents and supports performing arts through the medium of Irish, working with artists, audiences and the wider Irish-language community in Ireland and internationally. The theatre also has a strong focus on supporting the development of artists and theatre-makers working through Irish.
Founded in 2006 by Ionia and Máiréad Ní Chróinín, Moonfish Theatre is a Galway-based collaborative ensemble creating theatre in both Irish and English. The company’s work combines language, storytelling, music and movement with theatrical forms including puppetry and interactive technology. Moonfish is committed to pushing the boundaries of theatre, including exploring new approaches to language and translation, audience participation and interdisciplinary performance.
As part of Moonfish Theatre’s residency with An Taibhdhearc, the two organisations are working together to cultivate new approaches to theatre-making through Irish and create opportunities for artists to develop their practice. As part of that collaboration, they will be bringing practitioners together to experiment, share ideas and explore the creative possibilities of theatre-making as Gaeilge.
Muireann Kelly, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of An Taibhdhearc, said:
“As the National Irish Language Theatre, we want to develop artists and provide opportunities for people to be able to work through the medium of Irish in the arts. Working with Moonfish Theatre, our company in residence, we hope to foster a creative environment where artists can experiment, collaborate and explore new approaches to theatre-making through Irish.”
Ionia Ní Chróinín, Co-Director of Moonfish Theatre said:
“We are delighted that Moonfish Theatre is the company in residence at An Taibhdhearc this year and this workshop is an exciting opportunity for us and for An Taibhdhearc to meet and work with theatre practitioners who are drawn to creating work through Irish.”
An Taibhdhearc and Moonfish Theatre are especially keen to open this workshop up to people from diverse backgrounds with an interest in the language.
Ionia Ní Chróinín of Moonfish said: “Theatre creates a space where people from different backgrounds and cultures can come together to celebrate and explore both our differences and our shared experiences. Connecting through Irish offers another opportunity to build relationships through a shared love and passion for the language.”
The paid workshop is aimed at theatre practitioners working through Irish, as well as artists and makers who are interested in developing their practice through the language. A basic level of Irish is necessary to take part. Those wishing to apply to participate can do so at antaibhdhearc.ie.
Workshop details
● What: An Taibhdhearc and Moonfish Theatre - Open Workshop
● Who: Theatre practitioners working, or interested in working, through Irish
● Date: November 14th 2026
● Venue: Galway
● Cost: This is a paid workshop. Each participant will receive a fee of €150 for the day.
● Places are limited. To apply to take part in the workshop, go to antaibhdhearc.com/ceardlann-moonfish
● Closing date for registration: October 26th 2026
● For any questions, please contact Gill at moonfishtheatre@gmail.com
Fógraíonn An Taibhdhearc agus Moonfish Theatre Ceardlann Oscailte do Chleachtóirí Amharclainne Gaeilge
Tá áthas ar An Taibhdhearc, Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, a bheith ag obair leis an gcomhlacht amharclainne Moonfish Theatre mar a chomhlacht cónaitheach. Mar chuid den chónaitheacht seo, cuirfidh Moonfish Theatre ceardlann oscailte ar fáil do chleachtóirí amharclainne atá ag obair faoi láthair, nó a bhfuil spéis acu oibriú, trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Beidh an cheardlann ar siúl an 14 Samhain 2026 i gCathair na Gaillimhe. Tabharfar an deis do rannpháirtithe triail a bhaint as cleachtas ceaptha comhoibríoch Moonfish. Déanfar iniúchadh ar an mbealach is féidir le teanga, scéalaíocht, gluaiseacht, ceol agus foirmeacha amharclainne eile teacht le chéile chun saothar nua a chruthú. Spreagfar rannpháirtithe chun comhoibriú lena chéile agus machnamh a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi a bhféadfadh an dátheangachas a bheith ina ghné ghníomhach agus cruthaitheach den phróiseas amharclainne, seachas mar phróiseas aistriúcháin amháin.
Is í An Taibhdhearc, atá lonnaithe i gcroílár Chathair na Gaillimhe, Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge. Bunaithe in 1928, cruthaíonn sí, cuireann sí i láthair agus tacaíonn sí le healaíona taibhithe trí mheán na Gaeilge, ag obair le healaíontóirí, lucht féachana agus pobal níos leithne na Gaeilge in Éirinn agus go hidirnáisiúnta. Tá fócas láidir ag an amharclann freisin ar thacú le forbairt ealaíontóirí agus lucht déanta amharclainne atá ag obair trí mheán na Gaeilge.
Bunaithe in 2006 ag Ionia agus Máiréad Ní Chróinín, is ensemble comhoibríoch é Moonfish Theatre atá lonnaithe i nGaillimh, a chruthaíonn amharclannaíocht i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon. Comhcheanglaíonn obair na cuideachta teanga, scéalaíocht, ceol agus gluaiseacht le foirmeacha éagsúla amharclannaíochta, puipéadóireacht agus teicneolaíocht idirghníomhach ina measc. Tá Moonfish tiomanta do theorainneacha na hamharclannaíochta a shíneadh, cur chuige nua i leith teanga agus aistriúcháin a fhiosrú agus rannpháirtíocht lucht féachana agus léirithe idirdhisciplíneach a iniúchadh.
Mar chuid de chónaitheacht Moonfish in An Taibhdhearc, tá an dá eagraíocht ag obair le chéile chun cur chuige nua i leith chruthú na hamharclannaíochta trí mheán na Gaeilge a chothú agus deiseanna a chruthú do chleachtóirí próisis chruthaitheacha nua a iniúchadh. Léiriú atá sa chomhoibriú seo ar a dtiomantas comhroinnte d’amharclannaíocht uaillmhianach, nuálach a fhorbairt trí mheán na Gaeilge agus do dheiseanna a chruthú do chleachtóirí a gcleachtas cruthaitheach a fhorbairt.
Dúirt Muireann Kelly, Stiúrthóir Ealaíne agus Comh-Phríomhfheidhmeannach na Taibhdheirce:
“Mar Amharclann Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, táimid ag iarraidh ealaíontóirí a fhorbairt agus deiseanna a chur ar fáil do dhaoine a bheith in ann obair trí mheán na Gaeilge sna healaíona. Ag obair i gcomhar le Moonfish Theatre, ár gcomhlacht cónaitheach, tá sé mar aidhm againn spás cruthaitheach a chothú ina mbeidh deis ag ealaíontóirí triail a bhaint as smaointe nua, oibriú i gcomhar lena chéile agus bealaí nua le hamharclannaíocht a chruthú trí mheán na Gaeilge a fhiosrú.”
Dúirt Ionia Ní Chróinín, comhstiúrthóir Moonfish Theatre:
“Tá an-áthas orainn a bheith mar chomhlacht amharclainne cónaitheach ag An Taibhdhearc i mbliana. Is deis spreagúil í an cheardlann seo dúinn féin agus don Taibhdhearc bualadh le cleachtóirí amharclainne a bhfuil suim acu saothar a chruthú trí mheán na Gaeilge.”
Tá an-suim ag An Taibhdhearc agus ag Moonfish an cheardlann seo a oscailt do dhaoine ó chúlraí éagsúla a bhfuil spéis acu sa teanga. Dúirt Ionia Ní Chróinín ó Moonfish: “Cruthaíonn an drámaíocht spás inar féidir le daoine ó chúlraí agus ó chultúir éagsúla teacht le chéile chun ceiliúradh agus iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar ár ndifríochtaí agus ar ár n-eispéireas comhroinnte araon. Nuair is í an Ghaeilge an teanga chomhroinnte sa seomra, tugann sé sin deis eile dúinn chun caidreamh domhan a chothú bunaithe ar ghrá agus ar dhíograis don teanga.”
Tá an cheardlann dírithe ar chleachtóirí amharclainne a oibríonn trí mheán na Gaeilge, chomh maith le healaíontóirí agus cruthaitheoirí a bhfuil suim acu a gcuid cleachtais a fhorbairt tríd an teanga. Teastaíonn leibhéal bunúsach Gaeilge chun páirt a ghlacadh sa cheardlann. Chun iarratas a dhéanamh chun páirt a ghlacadh sa cheardlann, téigh chuig antaibhdhearc.ie.
Sonraí na ceardlainne
● Cad é: An Taibhdhearc agus Moonfish Theatre – Ceardlann Oscailte
● Cé dó: Cleachtóirí amharclainne atá ag obair, nó a bhfuil suim acu a bheith ag obair, trí mheán na Gaeilge
● Dáta: 14 Samhain 2026
● Ionad: Cathair na Gaillimhe
● Costas: Is ceardlann í seo a bhfuil íocaíocht ag baint léi. Gheobhaidh gach rannpháirtí táille €150 don lá.
● Tá líon na n-áiteanna teoranta. Chun iarratas a dhéanamh chun páirt a ghlacadh sa cheardlann, téigh chuig antaibhdhearc.com/ga/ceardlann-moonfish.
● Dáta deiridh chun clárú: 26 Deireadh Fómhair 2026
● Má tá ceist agat, is féidir dul i dteagmháil le Gill ag moonfishtheatre@gmail.com
