Cork County Council has awarded the commission for a new Irish language play for children, to writer and theatre maker Grace Kiely. This new work will be performed in library settings and other locations in County Cork in 2022.

Following a 14-year period of making theatre while based in Galway, Grace Kiely has recently returned to Cork, where she studied theatre in Kinsale before attaining her Bachelor’s in UCC. Her return to Cork saw her become part of the team working on Graffiti theatre’s show Trasna as well as working with the early years’ art programme, BEAG.

Also an accomplished musician, Grace plays double bass with Cork’s Fleischmann Orchestra while musical composition and songwriting form a key part of her theatrical creativity. She is also a contributing writer for Nós magazine and welcomes the opportunity to apply all of these skills to create an Irish language piece for young audiences in Cork County.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan welcomed the announcement saying,

“Cork County Council is very grateful to Creative Ireland for providing funding for this project. This is a great opportunity to engage children in the joy of the Irish language. This specially commissioned piece will illustrate all the fun of theatre while immersing young audiences in the Irish language in an accessible and entertaining environment. I look forward to seeing the play tour across the county"

Further information will be available as the project progresses. 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.