A HOST of prominent Irish people, making words in Irish Sign Language, is the essence of a new photographic exhibition which opens in Galway next week.
Signs Of life opens in the Galway City Museum on Tuesday November 4. It will feature photographs of 26 people, including footballer Robbie Keane, novelist Roddy Doyle, cook Rachel Allen, UTV and Sky TV presenter Eamonn Holmes, Ireland AM presenter Sinead Desmond, and singer Andrea Corr. All were photographed using ISL by deaf photographer Johnny Corcoran,
The exhibition aims to encourage public awareness and appreciation of one of only two unique Irish languages. ISL is the native language of the Irish deaf community and is used by more than 40,000 people.
“ISL is a beautiful language,” said Eamonn Holmes. “It’s unique to Ireland and I hope the exhibition will encourage people to be aware of it and take pride in it.”
Signs Of life runs until Saturday November 18. Admission is free and all are welcome. ISL ‘tasters’ will be provided by Galway Deaf Centre volunteers throughout the two weeks. See www.signsoflife.ie
