Garter Lane Theatre | Thurs 28 May 7.30pm | Tickets €5 + fee
Pride of the Déise and Garter Lane presents : 'Confined Spaces – A Rehearsed Reading', a new play by Michael Lavery, Directed by Em Ó Ceallaigh will be followed by a gathering in the Gallery with tunes provided by Déise Doll with a pop-up bar by Tully’s Bar.
Belfast, September 2023. The Sugababes are touring again. Things are looking good for young gay Irish men who are looking to start over. Confined Spaces is a dark comedy exploring toxic relationships within the queer community and the rocky and uncomfortable road to self-acceptance.
In partnership with Pride of The Déise, we are thrilled to present an evening of culture and social connection in the Garter Lane Theatre and Gallery.
Curated by Natasha Everitt and Rachel Ní Bhraonáin
For more information and to book tickets, please see link in bio
Pride @garterlane is back for its second year, this time in collaboration with @prideofthedeise !
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Delighted to be curating/producing this event alongside @rachel_irishname_work - this year, on the 28th May, we are presenting an engaging and stylized take on a rehearsed reading of new play Confined Spaces by @michaellaveryyy ans directed by @tender.stemme - the reading will be followed by a DJ set by @roibiorua and a pop up bar by @tullysbarwaterfordcity
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Tickets are only €5 so be sure to go on to the Garter Lane website and pick one up!
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𝗖𝗖𝗜 𝗗𝗿𝗮í𝗼𝗰𝗵𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 | Reflections from Em Ó Ceallaigh
Draíocht is delighted to continue our partnership with CCI, supporting an artist to travel to Paris to participate in the annual Residency Programme, tapping into the resources of the CCI and the city of Paris, as well as having the opportunity to showcase their work on an international stage.
The recipients of Draíocht supported residencies are artists working in any discipline with a clear focus on children and/or young people.
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"My time spent at the Centre Culturel Irlandais (CCI) in July 2025 was restorative, and necessary for reflection, creative inspiration and rest after a busy period of creative work. I had just finished directing/creating Síomha and the Otherworld, a new show for young people exploring grief, love and difference that premiered in Riverbank Arts Centre, dlr Mill Theatre and axis Ballymun in May/June 2025. The month in Paris allowed me to reflect on this artistic experience, and begin planning for future work."...
Read Em's Reflections here: https://www.draiocht.ie/take-part/artists/cci-draiocht-residency-reflections-em-o-ceallaigh
#Theatre #Children #YouthArts #Performance #Residency @centreculturelirlandais@tender.stemme
18 months ago, 10 young people responded to a call-out from myself and @emmetkirwan to come and make a short film with us about the experience of being in care. FUTURE STORIES began as a dream I had - about how art might quietly adjust power, not just claim to. About what could happen if you invested time and trust and stayed with the messy reality of true co-creation.
I have learnt so much from this group of young artists. How to honour the pace of real trust. How to allow dissent and confusion to exist inside a process. I’ve learnt how much change is actually possible when you commit to relationships, rather than outcomes.
I couldn’t have asked for a better collaborator than @tender.stemme , who brings creativity and conscious leadership together in the most singular way. And then to be joined by @a_stone_circle , @alex_e_gill , and the talent and care of their trusted @crackinglightproductions collaborators - it still feels like enormous luck to have made this work together.
Tonight, FUTURE STORIES screens as part of @firstfortnight at @smockalleytheatre . It is courageous, vulnerable and clear-minded storytelling. Too often, care-experienced young people are spoken about, researched, or represented but rarely given long-term space to shape how their stories are told or to change the conditions under which they are made.
So huge love to everyone who brought this dream to life - a reminder, when most needed, of the quiet power of art to change things.
*A small number of tickets still available smockalley.com*
📸 BTS by the brilliant @jillymacjillymac
Summer bits…
1-5- A month’s rest, reflection, recoop and research á Paris at Centre Culturel Irlandais thanks to Draíocht. Spent a lot of time dreaming and getting to know lots of wonderful artists and people.
6- Delighted to be a participating Artist 2025-26 in Branar Meitheal with these wonderful artists and creative producers. Lots more to come about this.
7-8- Had a blast working as a director on a reading of Pawn by Aoife O’Connor at axis: Ballymun with these beauts of performers.
Slán le Síomha and the Otherworld!
Had a crazy, beautiful time putting together this piece. A project very close to my heart, my first project award, and so lucky to have had the loveliest collaborators and friends helping to realise it. Very grateful and proud of what this amazing team created. Was such a gift to share with young (and older) audiences and have meaningful chats about solidarity and difference, loss and love in Newbridge, Dundrum and Ballymun! A huge thank you to the teams at Riverbank, the Mill and axis who have supported me personally, and my work consistently over the last few years. Go dtí an chéad uair eile!
Síomha and the Otherworld
A play by Sian Ní Mhuirí and Em Ó Ceallaigh
Written by Sian Ní Mhuirí
Story by Em Ó Ceallaigh
Directed by Em Ó Ceallaigh
Performed by Aoife Sweeney O’Connor
Set & Costume Designer- Medb Lambert
Lighting Designer- Zia Bergin Holly
Video Designer- Eoin Robinson
Sound and Compostion- Jenny O’Malley
Creative Producer- Fiona Keller
Production Manager- Olivia Drennan
Stage Manager- Anika Kidd
Design Assistant- Aoife Lyons
Chief LX- Gavin Kennedy
Chief AV- Laura Rainsford
Creative Drama Facilitator & Engagement Coordinator- Sarah Joan Kelly
Funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon with support from dlr Mill Theatre, Riverbank Arts Centre and axis: Ballymun.
I wrote a wee article for RTÉ Culture about my upcoming show, Síomha and the Otherworld. Click on the link in my bio to read more! Really excited to share what myself and the brilliant team have been cooking up for young audiences in a few weeks.
You can buy tickets now for public shows at dlr Mill Theatre on 4 & 5 June @ 6pm. School groups can book for 10 June by calling the box office at axis: Ballymun.
This production is funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and supported by dlr Mill Theatre, Riverbank Arts Centre and axis: Ballymun.
29 May - Riverbank Arts Centre, school groups, no tickets available
4 & 5 June- dlr Mill Theatre, public shows @ 6pm, book now online
10 June- axis: Ballymun, schools groups, contact box office for more information
Síomha and the Otherworld
New show alert! This will end in agóid not tragóid.
I dTír Chonaill, the heart of Donegal, Síomha’s ready for their biggest protest yet. No one’s building a hotel. Especially over Aunty Deirdre’s fairy fort.
With a small audience you sit inside the fairy fort for an intimate performance and meet Síomha, your guide to a world of memory, myth, and imagination. But why are we here? And why can’t we leave?
Navigating a world full of change and uncertainty, Síomha turns to stories their aunty once told. Tales of the Tuath Dé Dannan, Oileán Thoraí and finding magic in the darkest moments.
Síomha and the Otherworld is an immersive performance for children aged 9+ and their grown-ups. With flickering lights, dancing projections, and spritely soundscapes, Síomha’s stories come alive as they navigate change, fear, and love.
This production touches on themes of memory and love. While sensitively handled and age-appropriate, it may be emotionally challenging for audience members who have experienced a recent bereavement.
Síomha and the Otherworld
A play by Sian Ní Mhuirí and Em Ó Ceallaigh
Written by Sian Ní Mhuirí
Story by Em Ó Ceallaigh
Directed by Em Ó Ceallaigh
Performed by Aoife Sweeney O’Connor
Set & Costume Designer- Medb Lambert
Lighting Designer- Zia Bergin Holly
Video Designer- Eoin Robinson
Sound and Compostion- Jenny O’Malley
Creative Producer- Fiona Keller
Production Manager- Olivia Drennan
Stage Manager- Anika Kidd
Design Assistant- Aoife Lyons
Chief LX- Gavin Kennedy
Chief AV- Laura Rainsford
Funded by the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon with support from dlr Mill Theatre, Riverbank Arts Centre and axis: Ballymun. Image Credit - Pato Cassinoni
For more information check out the links in my bio!
✨Seisiún Comhairle (Zoom) ar Mhaoiniú ón gComhairle Ealaíon ✨ Ticéid saor in aisce sa mbio!
Tá fáilte roimh gach ealaíontóir le Gaeilge chuig an seisiún eolais agus comhairle seo maidir leis an Dámhachtain Lúfaireachta (Agility Award), scéim maoinithe de chuid na Comhairle Ealaíon.
Tá taithí na mblianta ag Em Ó Ceallaigh ar iarratais mhaoinithe i réimse na n-ealaíon agus roinnfidh siad eolas tábhachtach agus leideanna linn maidir leis an mbealach is fearr le dul i bhfeidhm ar na moltóirí.
Tá an Dámhachtain Lúfaireachta dírithe ar ealaíontóirí aonair nár bhronn an Chomhairle Ealaíon maoiniú orthu cheana agus tá suas le €5,000 le gnóthachtáil.
Beidh an seisiún seo ar siúl ar Zoom.
ÉIRIC//BLOOD FINE
Dráma úr dátheangach/new bilingual drama
Written and performed by Sian Ní Mhuirí
Directed by mé féin
Beidh léiriú idir láimhe againn ag Outburst i mBéal Feirste! We have a work-in-progress at Outburst in Belfast.
Brian Friel Theatre // Sunday 17th November // 2.30 as a part of Outburst’s Brewing programme.
The Sons of Tuireann is an ancient, Bardic tale about the first murder ever committed in Ireland, and the blood fine (or Éiric) that was set by Lugh Lámhfhada as reparation for it.
Míle buíochas le @outburstqueerarts as an deis agus tacaíocht agus le @dlrmilltheatre as an tacaíocht!
Tickets on the Outburst website/link in bio.
✨Feature Friday✨
Are you starting to think about costumes, pumpkin carving and spooky decorations?🎃
Halloween is in the air, so we're sharing a story about a mischievous young girl who gets invited to a Halloween party.
Derval by Gráinne Keenan is one of our Super Paua Stories, written, designed and performed by artists living in Ireland, for young people aged 6+.
This story was directed by Em Ball and performed by Aoife Spratt with sound design by Lara Gallagher.
"The thing about Derval was that she had a serious affliction. She didn’t actually want to stab Angela Fitzgerald’s birthday trampoline with a knife or smash her face into the birthday cake. Or yank Donal Higgins’ trousers down in front of everyone at lunch. Or cover all the boys’ toilet seats with cling film. Or plant worms in Neasa Toohill’s ham sandwich. She didn’t want to do these things but there was something powerful and irresistible inside that made her do them. Every time she tried to make a friend, her own mischievous urges got in the way.”
🔊Listen to the full story and others on your favourite podcast platform, just search Super Paua Stories.
📌Or check out our audio installation at Roscommon Arts Centre during October mid term break.
The four seasons of multilingual audio stories were supported by @artscouncilireland .
#FlashbackFriday #FBF #SuperPauaStories #FeatureFriday #PastWork #BackCatalogue #AudioStory #RoseProducing
