Aisling na Saoirse – A Dream of Freedom

Smashing Times International Centre for the Arts and Equality presented Aisling na Saoirse (A dream of freedom) as part of the Theatre in Palm theatre labs in January 2023 in the dlr Lexicon Library Black Box Theatre, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin.
The event involved a number of presentations in both English and Irish that promoted Irish language and culture. Many of the performers were emerging artists and new to presenting their work in the Irish Language and the audience were also new to hearing the performances and presentations in Irish. They had been facilitated with support from established artists to deliver their presentations.
Following the workshop the performances had a facilitated discussion workshop with the audience. As part of the workshop the artists and audiences’ members were supported to discuss their experience of the per the presentation of work in the Irish language and also their response to the work presented. Prior to the performance the performers received support and direction to enable them to provide the best performance and also how to interact with each other and with the music accompaniment. For many of the performers this was their first time engaging in this type of work and they responded that they learned from the pre workshop performance and the post-performance discussion with the audience.
The emerging artists involved were:
- Áine Ni Ghlinn
- Rob Harrington
- Lisa McLoughlin Gnemmi
- Colm Mac Gearailt
- Finn O Driscoll
- Feilim James
- Ciara NÍ É