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Mary Quirke with the cast and crew of ‘In The Blink Of An Eye’ which is one of two entries from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to make the All-Ireland TY Drama Festival next week in Cork. Photo by Dermot Crean
TWO groups of Transition Year students from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí will compete in the All Ireland TY Drama Festival this month.
The two short plays — ‘Cé A Mharaigh Art Ó Laoghaire’ and ‘In The Blink Of An Eye’ — are two of only 11 entries nationwide to make the final on Tuesday, March 19 at the Cork Opera House, a remarkable achievement by the school.
‘Cé A Mharaigh Art Ó Laoghaire?’ is based on the lament ‘Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire’ by Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill, the wife of Ó Laoghaire who was killed back in 1773 by one of the men in the employ of Cork landowner Abraham Morris.
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“Eibhlín recited a lament at his graveside and people wrote parts of it down,” said teacher Michelle D’Altuin, who put the play together with the students, based on the story. “It tells us a lot about society at the time. She was an extraordinary woman and hers is an amazing story,” she added.
Teacher Michelle D’Altuin (back right) with the cast and crew of ‘Cé A Mharaigh Art Ó Laoghaire?’ which is one of two entries from Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí to make the All-Ireland TY Drama Festival next week in Cork. Photo by Dermot Crean
The other play, ‘In The Blink Of An Eye’ is a mime telling the story of a couple’s romance — from meeting in their teens, to break-up, reconciliation, marriage, having children, growing old together and, well…let’s just say there’ll be something in your eye by the end!
Written and directed by Mary Quirke, music plays a big part in the production with the lyrics of well known pop songs reflecting the stages in the couple’s lives.
Best of luck to both groups next week and hopefully one of them will win the top prize.
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