Áine Keane still eager to play a part for Galway ahead of camogie final despite ‘harsh realities' of ACL injury
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RTÉ News
22 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Why Irish language theatre is more important than ever
Ahead of their production of newly translated short works by Samuel Beckett, Muireann Kelly, the Artistic Director of An Taibhdhearc, celebrates the work of the Galway-based National Irish Language Theatre. In 2028 An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish Language Theatre, will celebrate its centenary. In 2024, the board of An Taibhdhearc was awarded €5.78 million from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to support the development of an ambitious programme of work that will run until the end of 2027. The focus will be to support artists working in Irish, to develop, produce and tour new work and adaptations of classical repertoire, while engaging with audiences who are fluent, learning or Gaeilge-curious across Ireland. This substantial funding comes after years of hard (and often unrecognised) work from the board and theatre-makers who work as Gaeilge. As we head into the next 100 years, it could not have come at a better time, as Irish, particularly in the arts, sees a revival. At a time when being Irish and able to express ourselves in Irish is of utmost importance, it is vital that minoritised languages and underrepresented voices and stories be heard. This is a time where our National Irish Language Theatre could not be more important. We started our 2025 programme at the Galway Theatre Festival in May with a Belfast story, Dathanna Geala Amháin by Pauline Goldsmith, which toured and sold out from Gaoth Dobhair to Axis Ballymun, finishing up in An Cultúrlann in Belfast. I started planning this programme in 2024 and started building a new team in January 2025. After having worked in Scottish theatre for over 30 years, it was quite the transition. Some things felt a little more familiar than others. Having set up and run a touring theatre company for 10 years (Theatre Gu Leòr), having made work in Gàidhlig and other minoritised languages, I had met some of the same challenges before, but in a language that was a first cousin to Irish. At a time when being Irish and able to express ourselves in Irish is of utmost importance, it is vital that minoritised languages and underrepresented voices and stories be heard. If I go right back, I got my first job at 19 working backstage in the Gaiety on a show with Maureen Potter and Siobhán McKenna, whom I remember very fondly. I wonder what she would make of that teenager finding her way back to An Taibhdhearc, a theatre Siobhán knew and loved so well. I then went on to work backstage in the Gate Theatre and found myself staring at black-and-white photos of Micheál Mac Liammóir which adorned the walls of the foyer at the time. I was privileged enough to learn from a generation of actors, directors, and artists there that have inspired me ever since. These historical connections between the work that Mac Liammóir did at the Gate and at An Taibhdhearc have always been with me. Indeed, the connections do not end there - my first few acting jobs in the Abbey, I found myself sharing the stage with another young actor at the time: Sarah Jane Scaife. All these years later, I am privileged enough to be able to collaborate with Sarah Jane and her team at Company SJ - producing newly translated short works by Beckett: Footfalls, Not I, Rockaby and Fizzle 4 which she has directed for GIAF, the highlight of our new programme in 2025.
RTÉ News
24 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
On This Week: Limerick gets its first ever post woman
On This Week: Irish Moments from History (4th - 10th August) Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here's your dose of Irish nostalgia from 4th - 10th August. This Week In Irish News Declan Mackell became the first Irishman to sail around the world single-handed. The Belfast man circumnavigated the globe alone in a Contessa 21 named Sean-Ois, completing his journey at Strangford Lough. He eventually sailed up to Portaferry in Co Down, where his parents and well-wishers welcomed him. 2005: Irish woman collects €115 million prize from European lottery Limerick woman Dolores McNamara claimed over €115 million in the Euromillions, the biggest jackpot in European lottery history at the time. The winner arrived at the National Lottery Headquarters to collect her prize, which was the largest ever amount won in a Euromillions draw in Ireland. This Week In Irish Sports 2012: Katie Taylor takes the gold at London 2012 Olympics Katie Taylor completed a lifelong dream by becoming an Olympic champion at the London 2012 Games. Cheered on by a capacity crowd, Taylor dug deep to beat Russia's Sofya Ochigava 10-8 in the women's lightweight final at the ExCel Arena. There was a long delay after the closing bell, making the wait unbearable, before the referee raised Taylor's hand, sending the crowd into rapture. 2024: Armagh edge Galway to win second All-Ireland title Armagh pipped Galway in a tense and suffocating decider to win their second-ever All-Ireland title since 2002. The contest, which was the first Ulster-Connacht decider since 2021 and only the ninth in the association's history, produced a cagey opening 35 minutes. But the crucial difference was a goal from Aaron McKay in the 46th minute. Galway was a point ahead at that point, and the goal gave Armagh the momentum it needed to win. The game finished Armagh 1-11 Galway 0-13 This Week In Irish Entertainment 1987: Cork welcomes U2 for Joshua Tree tour Over 50,000 fans turned out to watch U2 play at Park Ui Chaoimh. The band were riding high after the release of the Joshua Tree, and arrived when the band's single 'I still haven't found what I'm looking for' went number one in the United States. The gig was the final show on the European leg of the Joshua Tree tour, with UB40, The Dubliners, and The Subterraneans providing support. 2019: Aisling Bea's comedy receives rave reviews Irish comedian Aisling Bea's new series This Way Up made its debut on UK's Channel 4 to rave reviews. The show features Bea playing the main character alongside Sharon Horgan, who plays her sister. Bea won a BAFTA for Breakthrough Talent Award and was nominated for Best Female Comedy Performance at the BAFTAs for the second series. This Week In Irish Culture 2004: RTÉ's Irish-language series Scannal makes its debut RTÉ series Scannal makes its debut on Irish television. The Irish-language series examines pivotal moments in Irish social history, tracing the scandals that have shaped the country. The show delved deeper by examining the impact of significant events on individuals, families, and the communities at their heart. What was Number 1 in Ireland This Week? 1979: 'I Don't Like Mondays' by The Boomtown Rats From their third album 'The Fine Art of Surfacing', it was the band's second number one in the UK charts. 1995: 'So Good' by Boyzone The song was Boyzone's third consecutive number one single in Ireland . 2006: 'Hips Don't Lie' by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean Shakira's song broke the record for most radio plays in a single week and was the fastest-selling digital download in the US. Irish Celebrities Celebrating Birthdays This Week The Edge (64) Lead guitarist for U2 Maïa Dunphy (49) Television producer, broadcaster, writer and radio and TV presenter Roy Keane (54) Football pundit, and former professional footballer for Man Utd and Ireland Other Irish Trivia From This Week 1979: When Limerick got its first post woman Residents in the Ennis Road area of Limerick had their mail delivered by a woman. The first postlady in the city was 18-year-old Patricia Dollard. Before she became one, she was working in the Telegrams section of Limerick's Post Office. When the role of postman was advertised, it was open to both men and women. Following an interview and examination, Dollard was announced as the successful candidate. Looking Ahead Each Monday, On This Week will bring you a mix of stories from the last 75 years, to celebrate Volkswagen's 75 year anniversary, featuring the big news stories, sporting highlights and major pop culture moments. Volkswagen has been part of those unforgettable moments - driving families to milestones, memories, and moments that matter. Join us every week as we look back at the moments of yesteryear.
Irish Times
39 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Irish PR firm Penta sold to Disney investment vehicle Shamrock Capital
Irish-based public relations firm Penta has been acquired by the investment arm of the Disney family for an undisclosed sum. Los Angeles-based Shamrock Capital, which was set up in the 1970s as the family investment company for the late Roy Disney, specialises in media, entertainment, communications and sports. It said it had agreed to buy the Penta Group, which includes the Irish PR business Hume Brophy, from current owners Falfurrias Capital. Penta advises some of world's largest companies, including Microsoft, Google and JP Morgan, and recently appointed former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to its advisory board. READ MORE It generated over $100 million in revenue last year. Shamrock is understood to have paid a multiple of this to acquire the company. The US private equity group hit the headlines recently when it sold the master rights to Taylor Swift's first six studio albums back to the artist, ending one of the music industry's most high-profile ownership disputes. Shamrock had purchased Swift's back catalogue from Ithaca Holdings in 2020. Of the Penta deal, Shamrock said the investment would 'supercharge Penta's ability to deliver differentiated strategic advisory, data, insights, and technology offerings for large enterprises navigating complex stakeholder relations in an increasingly complicated and rapidly changing business, policy, and regulatory environment'. Penta acquired Irish public relations firm Hume Brophy, set up by John Hume, son of the former SDLP leader John Hume, and Dublin businessman Eoin Brophy, in 2023. It employs 350 staff globally including 20 at its Dublin office. Mr Varadkar joined the Penta team in April this year, 12 months after exiting public office. At the time, the company said he would be working with Penta's teams and clients across all markets but would not be involved in lobbying. 'His expertise in navigating complex geopolitical landscapes, economic development, and progressive social change will be invaluable as Penta continues its rapid expansion in 2025 and beyond,' Penta said. Shamrock Capital said Penta had experienced 'considerable growth' in recent years. 'Shamrock believes the acquisition of Penta will enable Penta to continue its rapid growth trajectory while further investing in its proprietary data, analytics and AI capabilities and building out its scaled global footprint,' it said. 'Penta is redefining what it means to be a trusted partner to global brands, by weaving data and insights into all components of its offering,' said Laura Held, partner and member of Shamrock's executive committee.
