Leading Galway arts organisation Branar is bringing its theatrical adaptation of the ancient Irish legend Clann Lir to schools in the West of Ireland for Seachtain na Gaeilge. A father’s love for his children is at heart of this beautiful re-telling of the ancient tale, which is performed in the Irish language and features puppetry, striking imagery and enchanting music in the traditional style. Read all about it here...
Branar exists to create wonder-full arts experiences for children so that they and their imaginations may thrive. “We’re delighted to bring theatre directly into children’s school environments in rural and Gaeltacht areas. We strive to meet children where they are,” says Branar’s artistic director Marc Mac Lochlainn. The Seachtain na Gaeilge performances are part of a larger West of Ireland tour in which children from 40 primary schools will see the show. 27 of these schools are in the Gaeltacht and a further 6 schools teach through Irish.
above: Caitríona Ní Dhomhnaill performing in Branars Clann Lir
Branar believes that Ireland’s youngest citizens deserve only the very best - excellent art experiences delivered by exceptional artists. Clann Lir is a vivid production which focuses on the fairytale elements of the story: magical transformations; a father’s quest; three chances to break a spell and much more. For this production the company is working with accomplished Gaeltacht based performers Cillian Ó Donnachadha and Caitríona Ní Dhomhnaill.
Speaking about the show Caitríona said “Tá ríméad orm go bhfuil an deis againn an seó draíochtúil seo a thaispeáint do ghasúir óga na tíre, ach go háirithe gasúir na Gaeltachta. Is scéal é atá chomh lárnach i miotaseolaíocht na hÉireann agus is speisialta an rud é go bhfuil muid in ann é a insint do ghasúir inár dteanga dhúchais.” [“I am delighted that we have the opportunity to present this magical show to Irish children, but especially the children of the Gaeltacht. It is a story that is at the heart of Irish mythology and it is special that we are able to tell it to children in our native language.”]
In accordance with UN Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that children have the right to participate fully in cultural and artistic life with equal opportunities for cultural, and artistic activity, this tour goes some way to ensuring that children who might not have easy access to arts infrastructure get to experience the arts in their local environment. For many of them they will also experience the arts in their first language, Irish.
above: Clann Lir by Branar visiting schools in the Gaeltacht for Seachtain na Gaeilge
There has been a real appetite for the show from schools and the tour now fully sold out. “It has been really heartening to experience the enthusiasm for this project from all our collaborators” says Mac Lochlainn. “Support from the Irish language development unit in Galway County Council, Ealaín na Gaeltachta, and the Oifig Pleanála Teanga Dhúiche Sheoigheach agus Thuar Mhic Éadaigh has been central to making it possible to reach smaller schools in more remote areas, and we are hugely thankful for that.”
Watch out for Branar shows and co-productions for families later in the year! For more information on their current and upcoming show please visit www.branar.ie/en
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