Reviving the ‘hedge schools’ at Áras Éanna
05September2022September 6, 2022
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Reviving the ‘hedge schools’ at Áras Éanna

The tradition of the “hedge school” is being revived on Inis Oirr this weekend when Aras Eanna hosts a three day political festival which is focused on the climate breakdown and alternatives to capitalism. Speakers at the event, which is completely sold out, include former MEP Bernadette McAliskey and former UK Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. Speakers will also discuss issues such as the threat posed to the Irish language, how the media covers the climate crisis, and organising in a time of crisis. About 120 people from all over Ireland are set to attend ‘Scoil Chois Claí 2022’, which...

Three shows in three nights at Aras Eanna
24August2022August 24, 2022
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Three shows in three nights at Aras Eanna

by Ciaran Tierney It is a very busy week here at Aras Eanna as we look forward to three events in our theatre over three consecutive nights. A very special night is in store tomorrow (Thursday) when leading exponents of the traditional harp, Paul Dooley (Ireland) and Kseniya Rusnak (Ukraine), perform a fundraising concert for the people of Ukraine. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted on the door for ‘Ireland for Ukraine’. https://irelandforukraine.ie/ On Friday, the acclaimed writer and documentary maker Manchán Magan is bringing his new 70 mniute show, Árán agus Im, to the theatre. He celebrates...

Inis Oirr comes together for Ukraine
23August2022August 25, 2022
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Inis Oirr comes together for Ukraine

A concert with a difference takes place at Aras Eanna, Inis Oirr, this Thursday night (August 25, 8.30pm) when leading exponents of the traditional harp from Ireland and Ukraine, Paul Dooley and Kseniya Rusnak, come together to raise funds for the people of Ukraine. Paul and Kseniya began to collaborate together after Kseniya moved to Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, in the wake of the Russian invasion of her country earlier this year and we are thrilled to welcome them to Áras Éanna this week. All money raised on Thursday night will go towards Ireland for Ukraine, a charity set up by...

Accidental islander Pat has a magical music mix
20August2022August 20, 2022
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Accidental islander Pat has a magical music mix

By Ciaran Tierney When a musical friend invited guitarist Pat Quinn to come to Inis Oirr to play a few tunes over a weekend in June 2001, little did the County Longford native imagine that the windswept island on the Wild Atlantic Way would become his permanent home. Pat had such good fun playing three nights in a row at Tigh Ruairi that the manager asked him to stay for the summer – and he’s still here more than 21 years later! Along the way, he met a woman from Wisconsin in the USA. His partner Mary, like Pat, only...

Online tickets now on sale for August events
11August2022August 11, 2022
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Online tickets now on sale for August events

by Ciaran Tierney Did you know that you can now buy tickets in advance for shows in our theatre here at Aras Eanna? Over the next three Saturday nights we will have concerts by Lisa Lambe, The Raines, and Pat Quinn (with some very special guests) here on beautiful Inis Oirr. We are using Eventbrite.ie to offer you a secure and easy way of booking your tickets in advance to make sure you have a place at our shows. This weekend, for example, we welcome one of the most exciting Irish singers, songwriters, and performers of the modern era, Lisa...

MacDara’s super soundtrack delights visitors from around the world
08August2022August 8, 2022
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MacDara’s super soundtrack delights visitors from around the world

by Ciaran Tierney The local composer who has put together the stunning soundtrack to go with our current ‘Old Aran in Colour’ exhibition has a special connection to one of the photographs which are currently delighting visitors to Inis Oirr. MacDara O Conaola’s own grandfather, granduncle, and their parents were captured in a photograph by author J.M. Synge on the beach here on Inis Oirr when he visited the island in 1905. The stunning image is one of 20 which have captured the imagination of hundreds of visitors to the island in recent weeks and visitors are equally enraptured by...

Two new exhibitions open on Inis Oirr this weekend
04July2022July 4, 2022
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Two new exhibitions open on Inis Oirr this weekend

By Ciaran Tierney Two exhibitions with very strong connections to the three Aran Islands are set to open at Áras Éanna Ionad Ealaíne, the arts centre on Inis Oirr, this coming weekend. On Friday evening, one of Ireland’s most famous expressionist artists, Mick Mulcahy, will unveil a retrospective of his work – and new paintings from a recent residency on Inis Oirr – in the Áras Éanna art gallery. The following day (Saturday, July 9) sees the launch of ‘Old Aran in Colour’ in the courtyard outside the arts centre with a special afternoon event which will include a musical...

Inis Oirr school issues video appeal for new students
27June2022June 27, 2022
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Inis Oirr school issues video appeal for new students

  By Ciaran Tierney The principal of the secondary school on the smallest of the three Aran Islands has issued an appeal for new students from the mainland to come and live on Inis Oirr to help maintain student and teacher numbers. Coláiste Ghobnait has collaborated with the island’s arts centre, Áras Éanna Ionad Ealaíne, to produce a new four minute video which highlights the delights of living and studying on the Gaeltacht island in Co Galway. Grants are available for students throughout Ireland who wish to study on the island, where Irish is very much a living language and...

Joy on Inis Oirr as Bríd wins national Best Actor award
13June2022June 13, 2022
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Joy on Inis Oirr as Bríd wins national Best Actor award

By Ciaran Tierney In a first for an Irish language production, Brid Ní Neachtain won the Best Actress award for her role as Winnie in ‘Laethanta Sona’ here in Inis Oirr at the 23rd Irish Times Theatre Awards in Dublin last night. The remarkable vision of theatre producer Sarah Jane Scaife to stage an Irish language production of ‘Happy Days’ by Samuel Beckett outdoors at such a challenging location was recognised in Brid’s gong for her brilliant performance on the island last year. Bríd was present at the glittering awards ceremony at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin...

Máirtín O Connor Trio
08June2022June 8, 2022
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Máirtín O Connor Trio

By Ciaran Tierney One of the best-loved musicians ever to emerge from the West of Ireland, Máirtín O Connor, is headlining a special free outdoor show on Inis Oirr this Saturday, June 11 (8pm). Accordion player Máirtín will be joined by Cathal Hayden (fiddle, banjo) and Kevin Doherty (guitars, vocals) for what promises to be the musical highlight of the summer on the Gaeltacht island. Support comes from the cream of musicians on the island, including Michéal Ó hAlmhain, Clann Uí Domhnaill, and other local guests. This event is supported by Galway County Council Arts Office and funded through the...