An Taibhdhearc takes a brave theatrical step

“Energy and youth” are among the requirements being sought by the board of the country’s Irish language theatre, An Taibhdhearc, which is seeking new blood to run the institution.

That’s according to An Taibhdhearc chairman, Aodh Ó Coileáin, as the organisation revealed plans this week for a procurement process to select a company or individual to take charge of running the theatre for the next three years.

“We hope to create a synergy between our resource – which is a fine, fully kitted-out theatre in the city centre, with State support – and a company or individual with energy and vision,” he says.

Whoever is selected will be required to stage three Irish-language shows a year – one of these a family-oriented Christmas event, which will give a platform to young people. The newcomers will be responsible for the overall running of the venue, including leasing it out to other organisations. According to the chairman, they will receive annual State funding in the region of €300,000.

Aodh Ó Coileáin’s relationship with an Taibhdhearc stretches back to 1982, when as a 13-year-old member of Siamsa Tire in Tralee, he toured there in a production of Spread the News by Lady Gregory.

Later, as a student at the then UCG, he got involved working backstage as a lighting technician. The Dingle filmmaker who now lectures at NUIG is well aware of the theatre’s cultural importance, as he acknowledges he hasn’t always had the most cordial relationship with the institution. Aodh was a founding member of the progressive Irish-language company, Na Fánaithe, which ran from 1987-1993 and might still be in existence had the board of An Taibhdhearc at that time been more supportive, he feels.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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