The North / South Language Body Annual Report & Accounts 2009

Wicklow, Meath and Kildare. More than 2,000 people attended the events ofthe festival.Branar Drámaíochta TeoBranar is the only company on the island which operates solely through themedium of Irish and regularly attends schools. Due to the assistance of Forasna Gaeilge, Branar were able to hold 430 events throughout the year 2009and these were attended by 25,550 in total. Among these were dramaworkshops in primary schools, secondary schools and third level institutions.They produced the two plays ‘Na Síoga agus an Gréasaí’ (The Fairies and theCobbler) and ‘An Seanfhear Beag’ (The Little Old Man). They had a totalaudience of 11,804 while working with 2,428 secondary school pupils, 7,004from primary schools, 384 third level students and 3,930 youth clubmembers. With the assistance of the Foras, a Summer School was held inpartnership with Graffiti. They also started Meitheal na mBeag which is anorganisational aid to develop theatre through the medium of Irish for youngchildren.FíbínFíbín is a puppet company which performs plays through the medium of Irisharound the country. They set themselves the task of promoting a positiveattitude to the Irish language, especially among students who are studyingliterature. They have an opportunity to set aside the limitations of theclassroom and get a wider understanding of these works in a forum that ishumourous and enjoyable.The following events were successful during 2009:The ‘An Cearrbhach Mac Cába’) tour;The ‘An Rón Dall’ tour;The ‘An Triail’ tour;A drama workshop with Paul Mercier;The Raidió na nÓg Web Site.12,229 people attended “An Cearrbhach Mac Cába” over a 12 week perioduntil the beginning of April. Throughout the Summer, ‘An Rón Dall’ went to30 different centres throughout the country between schools and festivalssuch as Galway Arts Festival, Skibereen Arts Festival, Music SXW Fest andWales. Of course, ‘An Triail’ was very suitable for the 7,353 pupils and theirteachers who saw it over a 7 week period in November and December 2009.Altogether 56 people were employed for the tour. In December, Paul Mercierheld a four day workshop based on a new drama for 12 actors. Fíbín was alsofunded to adapt Raidió na nÓg’s Web site, a programme which is aimed atprimary school pupils between the ages of nine and twelve.Graffiti Theatre CompanyGraffiti Theatre Company believes that children from Irish Language schoolshave the right to receive a T.I.E. (theatre in education) service through themedium of Irish. The T.I.E. project believes that experience of the theatrestimulates learning and it is in very great demand especially with thepromotion of drama in the New Primary School Curriculum. Graffiti asGaeilge (Graffiti in Irish) is the only company in their own area (Munster)which provides this service through the medium of Irish. Graffiti as Gaeilgehad a special birthday in 2009 when they were ten years in existence. Bairbrede Barra’s ‘Is Iomaí Slí’ was produced anew, a beautiful play whichaddresses differences and relationships through the medium of a story whichis clever and funny. Graffiti went on tour to Irish medium schools andGaeltacht schools in Munster and South Leinster in May and June. Acelebratory occasion was held in the Graffiti Theatre on 29 June at whichtheir friends and the local children were present. After the special morning11