Colmcille 1500, the commemoration of 1500 years since the birth of Colmcille continues until June 2022. Among the events is Éigse Uladh, from the 25th to the 27th February.
Colmcille is the subject of the play Ar thóir m’Anama which will run on the three nights of the festival. This is an Irish language version of Brian Friel’s play The Enemy Within. The Irish language play is a classic from a period in the 1970s when the company Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair were at the height of their fame. It is being revived in the refurbished Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair.
The Éigse’s lectures are in partnership with the Royal Irish Acadamy, and will take place on Saturday afternoon. The lecturers are Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill, on Colmcille in the oral tradition, and Colm Ó Cuaig on Mánus Dónaill and his great work of 1532, Beatha Cholm Cille.
The other events include a bus tour of historic sites in the northwest on the Saturday with Dr Seosamh Ó Ceallaigh as guide, and a visit to Tory Island and guided tour there. Mass will be broadcast from the Éigse on Raidió na Gaeltachta, and the Éigse will conclude at 5pm on the Sunday in Machaire Rabhartaigh Community Centre with an ecumenical service. The full programme is available here .
Tickets for Ar thóir m’Anama can be bought at Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair.
