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Sheol an tAire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta, James Lawless T.D., an taispeántas cartlainne Iorras Aithneach – Cliabhán an Chultúir. Tá an taispeántas – arna chur le chéile ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – lonnaithe in Ionad an Acadaimh i gCarna. Tugann an taispeántas seo léargas ar laochra áitiúla na fonnadóireachta, an cheoil, na filíochta agus na scéalaíochta, a bhfuil tionchar i gcónaí ag a gcuid saothair ar oidhreacht chultúrtha phobal Iorras Aithneach i gConamara agus níos faide i gcéin, agus déanann sé ceiliúradh ar thraidisiúin bhéil shaibhre an cheantair mar aon leis an ról atá acu i gcaomhnú chultúr an phobail. Cuireadh an taispeántas agus an foilseachán a ghabhann leis i dtoll a chéile mar thoradh ar thaighde a rinneadh in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge agus léiríonn sé an comhoibriú leanúnach idir foireann an Acadaimh agus an pobal áitiúil maidir le hoidhreacht chultúrtha a chaomhnú agus a thaifeadadh. Tá an tionscadal bunaithe ar an tuiscint gurb é an pobal a chothaíonn an cultúr, áit a ndéantar teanga, nósanna agus traidisiúin a aistriú ó ghlúin go glúin trí thaithí saoil, scéalaíocht agus amhránaíocht. Tá na traidisiúin bhéil seo lárnach i gcónaí i saol mhuintir Iorras Aithneach agus i saol na Gaeltachta trí chéile.             Seo mar a labhair an tAire Lawless: “Tugann taispeántas an lae inniu ómós do mhuintir Iorras Aithneach ní hamháin mar ábhair staire, ach mar chruthaitheoirí agus caomhnóirí gníomhacha an chultúir. Tugann an taispeántas seo léargas ar laochra áitiúla na fonnadóireachta, an cheoil, na filíochta agus na scéalaíochta, a chuidíonn a gcuid saothair linn i gcónaí tuiscint níos fearr a bheith againn ar phobal na Gaeltachta agus a chuireann go mór le hoidhreacht na tíre.”             Dúirt Uachtarán Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, an tOllamh David Burn: “Is fianaise chumhachtach é an taispeántas seo ar oidhreacht chultúrtha bheo Iorras Aithneach agus ar an eolas dothomhaiste atá le fáil sa Ghaeltacht. De bharr na hoibre atá idir lámha ag Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, táimid ag caomhnú na dtraidisiún seo agus ag forbairt bealaí nua lena roinnt agus le staidéar a dhéanamh orthu. Léiríonn an tionscnamh seo tiomantas na hOllscoile don Ghaeilge, don chomhpháirtíocht phobail, agus tá sé mar aidhm againn a chinntiú go mbeidh an oidhreacht shaibhir chultúrtha seo ar fáil chun na glúnta atá le teacht a spreagadh agus a chumasú.” Leagann an taispeántas cartlainne béim ar thábhacht straitéiseach bhonneagar Gaeltachta Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge maidir le tacú leis an ról reachtúil atá ag Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ardoideachas a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge, chomh maith le cláir léinn bunaithe ar an saineolas atá againn sa teangeolaíocht, sa chultúr, sa phleanáil teanga agus i ndisciplíní gaolmhara a chur chun cinn. Dúirt Treasa Uí Lorcáin, Ceannasaí Eatramhach Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge: “Is é an teagasc taighde-bhunaithe bunús na gclár ar fad a chuirimid ar fáil in ionaid Ghaeltachta na hOllscoile. Tá saineolas againn ar shealbhú teanga i dtimpeallacht tumoideachais. Déantar é seo trí chomhpháirtíocht leis na pobail áitiúla i gCarna, i nGaoth Dobhair agus ar an gCeathrú Rua.” Tá roinnt cartlann faoi choimirce Ionad an Acadaimh i gCarna, ina measc tá Cartlann Sheáin Mhic Giollarnáth, Cartlann Éamon de Buitléar, Cartlann Joe Éinniú, Cartlann RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, agus Cartlann an Phléaráca. Tugann na cartlanna sin ar fad léargas dúinn ar oidhreacht agus ar chultúr na bpobal Gaeltachta. Críoch

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless T.D., has officially launched the archive exhibition Iorras Aithneach – Cliabhán an Chultúir. The exhibition - curated by University of Galway’s Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge - is being hosted at Ionad an Acadaimh, Carna. The archive highlights the contributions of distinguished local tradition-bearers in sean-nós singing, music, poetry and storytelling, who have made a lasting impact on the cultural heritage of Iorras Aithneach in Connemara and further afield and offers an insight into the region’s rich oral traditions while celebrating the role of community-led cultural preservation. The exhibition and accompanying publication follows research undertaken at Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge and recognises the ongoing collaboration between staff of An tAcadamh and the local community in preserving and documenting cultural heritage. The project is grounded in the understanding that culture is sustained through communities, where language, customs, and traditions are passed from one generation to another through lived experience, storytelling and song. These oral traditions remain central to the identity of Iorras Aithneach and the wider Gaeltacht region.             Minister Lawless said: “Today’s exhibition honours the people of Iorras Aithneach not simply as subjects of history, but as active creators and custodians of culture. It highlights the enduring contributions of local tradition‑bearers, singers, storytellers and folklore collectors, whose work continues to shape our understanding of Irish‑speaking communities and enrich our shared national heritage.”             University of Galway President Professor David Burn said: “This exhibition is a powerful testament to the living cultural heritage of Iorras Aithneach and to the deep knowledge held within Gaeltacht communities. Through the work of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, we are preserving these traditions and developing new ways to share and study them. This initiative reflects our University’s commitment to the Irish language, to community partnership, and to ensuring that this rich cultural legacy continues to inform and inspire future generations.” The archive exhibition underscores the strategic importance of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge’s Gaeltacht infrastructure in supporting the University of Galway’s statutory role in delivering higher education through Irish, as well as advancing programmes in linguistics, culture, language planning and related disciplines. Treasa Uí Lorcáin, Interim Head of Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, said: “Research-based teaching informs all of our programmes in the University’s Gaeltacht centres. We specialise in language acquisition in an immersive environment. This is achieved through partnership with local communities in Carna, Gaoth Dobhair and An Cheathrú Rua.” Ionad an Acadamh in Carna is home to several archival collections, including the Seán Mac Giollarnáth Archive, the Éamon de Buitléar Archive, the Joe Heaney Archives, the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta Archive, and the Pléaráca Archive, all providing unique insights into the heritage and culture of the Gaeltacht communities. Ends

University of Galway has held its third annual Siobhán McKenna scholarship and lecture series.  This event honours the legacy of Siobhán McKenna, the Belfast-born actress who became a world-renowned actress of stage and screen, starring in Dr Zhivago, King of Kings and Of Human Bondage.  This year's lecture series took the form of an interdisciplinary lecture-performance showcasing the wide-ranging artistry of writer, director and vocalist Esosa Ighodaro, whose work champions Black Irish creativity and explores identity, ritual and intergenerational storytelling.  Esosa Ighodaro began her artistic life as a touring singer, later moving into acting - a path that sparked her evolution into writing and directing for both stage and screen.   Her award‑winning films Round Boxes,  A Little Chilli and Dance Like Someone’s Watching have screened at festivals across Ireland, the US and Africa.  Presented as part of University of Galway’s Arts in Action programme, Esosa Ighodaro’s lecture-performance blended song, film excerpts and key moments from her artistic practice to date.  Reflecting on her journey from vocalist to actor, writer and director, Esosa Ighodaro explored how identity, intergenerational legacy, and expanding the landscape of Black Irish creativity drive and unify her body of work to date.  Esosa Ighodaro, said: “I work across art forms because different stories ask for different ways of being told. It was a pleasure to be invited to share that practice as part of the Siobhán McKenna Lecture, and an honour to place my work in conversation with such a significant legacy.”  Donnacha O’Dea, Siobhán McKenna’s son who initiated the lecture series and scholarship award, said: “As we enter the third year of this lecture series and scholarship, the power of this initiative to carry forward my mother’s legacy is clearer than ever to me - in ways I know she would have found both exciting and deeply inspiring.”  Siobhán McKenna’s archive is held by University of Galway, which has long been committed to the preservation and extension of her legacy.  As part of the event, the Siobhán McKenna Scholarship winner from the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway was announced as Dutch theatremaker, Drieske Steijl. The scholarship is awarded based on previous practical experience and academic achievement that demonstrates; potential for a rewarding career in the arts or politically-engaged arts; and use of native languages.  Dr Charlotte McIvor, head of Postgraduate Programmes in Drama and Theatre Studies, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, University of Galway, said: “Esosa Ighodaro’s virtuosic individual artistry and drive to energise and reform the Irish creative sector recalls Siobhán McKenna’s own visionary drive across so many areas of theatre, film and activism. We feel that her body of work and ability to move between so many different roles embodies McKenna’s legacy in the 21st century.”  Professor Rebecca Braun, Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, University of Galway, said: “Siobhán McKenna and Esosa Ighodaro both exemplify ambitious visions for the key role creativity must take in public life to not only advance art forms but social and cultural life more generally. We take inspiration from their work today to drive forward the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies’ own vision for creativity in public life through the work of staff and students.”  The annual Siobhán McKenna Scholarship Award is open to prospective students of the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway.  It includes: A bursary of €2,500 to support one student to undertake the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies administered by Galway University Foundation. A package of support to include access to exclusive activities related to Siobhán McKenna and the professional Irish theatre, and drawing on the University’s partnerships with the Abbey Theatre, Druid Theatre, the Lyric Theatre and other groups. Fee support of €1,500 for successful applicants. To apply for the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway visit here.  This event was co-presented by the Galway University Foundation, the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Arts in Action at University of Galway.  Ends