Mayo centre to host new Irish language arts residency

THE Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar has been selected as a partner venue for ‘I Láthair’, a new residency project for Irish-language performing artists, an initiative of An tOireachtas.

This opportunity, the first of its kind in Ireland, is specifically designed for artists living outside Gaeltacht areas.

Running from June 2026 to November 2027, the programme offers a series of residencies in regional arts and cultural venues nationwide, all located outside of Gaeltacht areas. Each residency will last between six and 10 weeks. The closing date for applications is Friday, May 1.

Deirdre Melvin, access officer at the Linenhall, enthused: “It's very exciting to work with An tOireachtas and offer this new funded opportunity to Irish speakers in our community who do not reside in a Gaelacht area. As we know, Irish is alive and thriving in Castlebar and across Mayo.”

During the residencies, artists can develop their work and artistic practice, while also building meaningful connections with local communities through a programme of public engagement and events.

“The primary aim of the scheme is to place Irish-language performance artists at the heart of contemporary national cultural life and to give wider recognition to the richness, creativity and diversity they bring to Irish culture”, said Muireann Ní Dhroighneáin, national coordinator of Irish Language Performance Arts. “Through this initiative, we will strengthen the presence of Irish-language performing arts nationally, while creating new opportunities for artists to develop their practice and connect with audiences and communities. 'I Láthair’ will also support the development of a national network of host venues committed to championing Irish-language performing arts and strengthening the sector across the country.”

‘I Láthair’ represents a significant step forward in the development of Irish-language performing arts on a national basis. It not only creates new opportunities for artists, but also fosters a creative environment in which the Irish language and the arts are naturally intertwined in communities and cultural venues across the country.

Other highly regarded venues An tOireachtas is proud to partner with, each playing a vital role in their local cultural landscape, include The Civic Theatre, Tallaght; An Táin Arts Centre, Dundalk; An Carn, Carn Tóchair; and St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre, Listowel. These partnerships enhance both the visibility and development of Irish-language performing artists nationwide.

Friday, May 1, 2026 is the deadline for applications. Learn more about ‘I Láthair’ plus other Irish-Language performance arts initiatives by An tOireachtas at antoireachtas.ie.

D’fhógair An tOireachtas scéim chónaitheach nua ‘I Láthair’ do thaibhealaíontóirí teangabhunaithe na Gaeilge. Seo an chéad tionscnamh dá leithéid riamh in Éirinn atá dírithe go sonrach ar thaibhealaíontóirí teangabhunaithe na Gaeilge atá lonnaithe taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht.

Reáchtálfar an scéim idir Meitheamh 2026 agus Samhain 2027 in ionaid chultúrtha agus ealaíon réigiúnacha taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Mairfidh gach cónaitheacht idir ocht agus deich seachtaine. Is é an spriocdháta le hiarratas a dhéanamh ar an scéim chónaitheach ná an Aoine, 1 Bealtaine 2026.

“Is é príomhchuspóir na scéime ná taibhealaíontóirí teangabhunaithe na Gaeilge a chur i gcroílár an tsaoil chultúrtha chomhaimseartha náisiúnta agus aitheantas níos leithne a thabhairt don saibhreas, don chruthaitheacht agus don éagsúlacht a chuireann siad le cultúr na hÉireann,” a dúirt Muireann Ní Dhroighneáin, Comhordaitheoir Náisiúnta na dTaibhealaíon Teangabhunaithe. “Tríd an tionscnamh seo, neartófar láithreacht na dtaibhealaíon Gaeilge i gcomhthéacs náisiúnta agus cruthófar deiseanna nua do thaibhealaíontóirí a gcleachtas a fhorbairt agus a roinnt le lucht féachana agus le pobail nua. Tacóidh ‘I Láthair’ freisin le forbairt gréasáin náisiúnta d’ionaid óstacha a bheidh ina dtaca do na taibhealaíona teangabhunaithe Gaeilge agus a chabhróidh le borradh a chur faoin earnáil ar fud na tíre.”

Tá An tOireachtas thar a bheith sásta a bheith ag obair i gcomhpháirt le hionaid atá chomh gníomhach, chomh láidir agus chomh haitheanta sin ar bhonn réigiúnach. I measc na n-ionad a bheidh páirteach sa scéim tá Amharclann an Civic, Tamhlacht; Amharclann an Táin, Dún Dealgan; An Carn, Carn Tóchair; Amharclann an Linenhall, Caisleán an Bharraigh; agus Ionad Ealaíon St. John’s, Lios Tuathail. Cuirfear le feiceálacht agus le forbairt na dtaibhealaíon Gaeilge i suíomhanna cultúrtha éagsúla ar fud na hÉireann trí na comhpháirtithe seo.

Le linn na gcónaitheachtaí, beidh deis ag na healaíontóirí a saothair agus a gcleachtais ealaíne a fhorbairt, agus ag an am céanna ceangal fiúntach a dhéanamh le pobail áitiúla trí chlár rannpháirtíochta agus imeachtaí poiblí.

Is céim shuntasach chun cinn é ‘I Láthair’ i bhforbairt na dtaibhealaíon teangabhunaithe Gaeilge ar bhonn náisiúnta. Ní hamháin go gcruthóidh sé deiseanna nua d’ealaíontóirí, ach cothóidh sé timpeallacht chruthaitheach ina mbeidh an Ghaeilge agus na taibhealaíona fite fuaite go nádúrtha lena chéile i bpobail agus in ionaid chultúrtha ar fud na tíre.

Is féidir gach eolas maidir leis an scéim chónaitheach chomh maith le scéimeanna eile an Oireachtais do na taibhealaíona teangabhunaithe a fháil anseo.