Galway’s Taibhdhearc Theatre gets €1m boost
The national Irish language theatre, Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, has been granted almost €1 million to support the delivery of its work over the next three years.
Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs, Joe McHugh announced annual funding of €320,000 for Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe for each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The city-based theatre, which re-opened in 2012, had applied for annual funding of around €400,000, which is what it was receiving a decade ago.
The grant of €320,000, however, is an increase of €20,000 on the amount of funding it received in 2013. Anne McCabe, artistic director of Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, yesterday welcomed the funding and said it offered certainty for the company for the next three years.
Ms McCabe said the additional €20,000 in funding meant that an Irish language pantomime would be staged again at the theatre this year.
Some 27 schoolchildren and some well known Irish language actors wowed audiences in December with the popular Beauty and the Beast pantomime.
“I am absolutely delighted with the announcement and the increase in funding. We submitted a three year business plan and strategy and this is an endorsement of the plans that we have for the theatre over the next three years. I suppose it is also recognition of how successful last year, which was my first year, has been. We wanted to do a panto this year and this grant enables us to do that.
“The grant will allow us to continue our core objective of staging Irish language drama and theatre, and also supporting other Irish language groups, including theatre groups, and Gaeltacht groups, in their work,” she said.
Ms McCabe said the ‘centrepiece’ of the theatre’s programme in 2015 would be Maamtrasna, a drama about murders in Connemara in 1882. It will run during the Galway Arts Festival. Other highlights include a celebration of actor Maura Stafford, as well as events to mark the centenary of Walter Macken. The funding announcement was welcomed by local politicians.
Galway West TD Brian said the funding was indicative of the Government’s commitment to the Irish language and a boost for one of the city’s most important institutions.
“This is an important signal of continued support for our national Irish-language theatre, which has a rich history and a vibrant future,” he said.
“My maiden speech following my election to the Dáil in 2011 was on the subject of An Taibhdhearc, after which €300,000 was secured for the renovation of the theatre, and it continues to be a cause very close to my heart. I am very pleased that this level of funding has been committed, which will allow the theatre to continue its excellent work, plan ahead, and grow over the coming years,” added Deputy Walsh.
Senator Hildegarde Naughton said: “The Taibhdhearc does vital work fostering our national language through a range of activities including plays, workshops, competitions, shows and exhibitions. This funding is also timely in terms of Galway’s 2020 Capital of Culture bid.
“As a member of the Board of Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe, I am delighted this operational grant has been made available. With the completion of recent major renovations of the theatre, which were jointly funded by the Government and the City Council, Galway has a state-of-the-art Irish Language Theatre which I would urge the people of Galway to come and enjoy.”