Leading Galway arts organisation Branar was presented with the Culture and Creativity Award at Galway Chamber’s prestigious Business Awards event on Friday 29 November last. The award recognizes Branar’s stellar work over 23 years in enriching Galway’s cultural landscape through the creation and promotion of art and culture, supporting the livelihoods of artists, and upholding Galway’s cultural global reputation. Read more here...
Branar exists to create wonder-full arts experiences for children so that they and their imaginations may thrive. 2024 has been an exceptional period of activity for Branar. This year the company has presented 7 different theatre shows, including three premieres, across top venues in Ireland, the UK, Paris, Istanbul and New York, where they’ve been flying the flag for Galway and its cultural reputation. January saw Branar’s Grand Soft Day become the first show on Broadway to feature the Irish language.
above: Branar's Grand Soft Day which toured to Broadway New York, the Brighton Festival UK and Southbank Centre London in 2024. Photo by Anita Murphy
Branar believes that our youngest citizens deserve only the very best art experiences delivered by exceptional artists. Scéal Lae/Story of a Day, which premiered in October, featured internationally renowned musicians ConTempo Quartet alongside Conamara actor Eoin Ó Dubhghaill, and was presented in both English and Irish language versions. One parent who attended the show with her family commented “It was lovely. It was like theatrical poetry for kids. It was beautiful.”
Alongside its shows Branar supports arts engagement in the community, working with primary schools and early years educators as well as delivering a module in the Drama and Children’s Studies programmes at University of Galway. 76 schools have engaged directly with Branar this year through the Branar sa Scoil, Acorn Digital Arts Flag and in-school performance programmes. Speaking about the Acorn Digital Arts Flag, participant school Knocknacarra Educate Together noted:
“The innovative approach of [the] lessons has not only entertained but also enriched our educational experience, sparking enthusiastic engagement among students. The thoughtful integration of artistic elements has seamlessly woven into our curriculum, demonstrating the transformative power of digital media in education.”
A major arts employer in Galway, Branar employs 5 core staff and in 2024 has created 145 weeks of work for independent Galway based artists. Furthermore, their Meitheal artist support initiative offers, among other supports, advice, mentorship, and access to rehearsal space to independent artists creating work for young audiences.
“We’re an ambitious and hard-working company,” says Branar’s Artistic Director, Marc Mac Lochlainn. He continues, “…we are truly delighted to receive the Culture and Creativity Award from Galway Chamber in recognition of the work we do. Being strong in championing quality arts for children is one of our values. Láidir sits alongside cróga, being brave; flathiúil, being generous; spraíúil, being playful; and ionraic, being true. Simple words for such big ideals. They express what we believe in and try to live by every day. We will continue to strive to ensure that more children are enjoying quality arts experiences.”
Watch out for Branar show Clann Lir and co-production Ballad of a Bandit touring to schools in Spring 2025.
above + featured photo: Galway artists Miquel Barceló and Matthew Berrill in the theatre version of Ballad of a Bandit co-produced by Branar and Miquel Barceló in 2024. Photo by John McMahon
