Jumping for joy on Inis Oirr

Ali and Henrik of Cikada Circus enjoying their early morning boat trip to Inis Oirr with Aran Ferries.

It has only taken them a year to get here … so we are thrilled to welcome Cikada Circus to Inis Oirr for the start of a one month residency this week.

There was huge interest all across Ireland when the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network (ISACS) offered street performaners a chance to enjoy a four week residency on the island over a year ago.

Cikada Circus, an acrobatic hand-to-hand performance company, were chosen for the residency but had to abandon their travel plans when Ireland entered a ‘Level Three’ lockdown this time last year.

So it was a genuine moment of celebration when Henrik Gard (originally from Sweden) and Ali Stanger (UK) landed on Inis Oirr on Sunday morning.

Cikada Circus in action. You might spot them at strange locations around Inis Oirr this month.

Henrik visited the island in 2016 and sees the potential for acrobatic work here, so don’t be surprised if you see some mad activity around the island’s rocks and beaches over the coming weeks!

“We’d like to use the island’s landscape as a springboard for acrobatics; jumping off ledges, running up walls, etc. We have an idea of creating either a show or a walkabout that is entirely site specific where we only use the surroundings to create and complete our acrobatic tricks,” says Henrik.

This residency was due to take place last October, but had to be postponed due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Henrik and Ali are now enjoying time out in our studio at Aras Eanna and may be seen doing some mad jumps and runs over the next few weeks.

Lucy Medlycott (ISACS) accompanied Henrik and Ali to Inis Oirr to help them settle in at Aras Eanna. They had to cancel their one month residency this time last year due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Meanwhile, we are also delighted to welcome the three artists who have been selected for the second week of residencies in partnership with the Irish Theatre Institute (ITI).

A big welcome to Luke Casserly, theatre maker and director; Claudia Lamantea; and Megan Riordan, who are currently enjoying a week on the island.

They are enjoying a far better week, weather-wise, than Donal O’Kelly, Maeve McGrath, and Hilary Bowen Walsh, although last week’s three lucky artists were able to enjoy no less than three launches or shows!

Following a call out only last month, Irish Theatre Institute (ITI) and Áras Éanna partnered up to offer six places over two weeks to artists who wished to enjoy the inspiring landscape and warm hospitality of Inis Oirr.

Words by Ciaran Tierney