An Taibhdhearc, Ireland’s National Irish language theatre will celebrate one hundred years of Dáil Éireann in an event which will take place 100 years to the day, in the centre of Galway City at the Eyre Square Centre Tower.
Events will commence in An Taibhdhearc at 2:50p.m. on January 21 with a walk through the pedestrian area of Galway, with members of the Tulla Pipe Band to lead the parade. This will be followed by a re-enactment of the first Dáil in front of the Tower of the Eyre Square Shopping Centre at 3:30p.m.
Directed by Mícheál Ó Meallaigh, Teachtaí Dála for this historic and timely event include: Diarmuid de Faoite, Catherine Denning, Maidhc P. Ó Conaola, Deirbhile Ní Churraighín Seán, Ó Coisdealbha, Gearóidín Nic Thomáis, & Séamus Ó hAodha.
Speaking about the historic occasion, director of the production, Mícheál Ó Meallaigh said It is timely that An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish language theatre’ would celebrate this historic Irish occasion in Galway, the only city in the country which has bilingual status.
“There were four elected Teachta Dála in the electoral area of Galway in the December 1918 election, but only one of them, Pádraic Ó Máílle was able to attend the first dáil, two of them were arrested and interred, and the fourth person, Liam Mellows fled to America.”
“This is an ideal opportunity to come out anD commemorate 100 years of Irish history, extension of the vote to women, the beginning of the War of Independence and eventual Civil War. History students at Galway secondary and third level institutions could benefit from this recreation of our past,” he said.
Prof. Gearóid Ó Tuathaigh will speak in An Taibhdhearc after the event at 5:30pm.
All events for this historic day are free of charge, but tickets for Prof Ó Tuathaigh’s lecture must be reserved in advance by calling the box office on 091-562024 or online from www.antaibhdhearc.com
