The North / South Language Body Annual Report & Accounts 2009

An Béal BinnThe main aim of An Béal Binn is to use the oral arts – singing, poetry, drama,storytelling – as a medium and an effective tool in the process of theacquisition of the Irish language in the bilingual community of NorthWicklow. An Béal Binn targets every age group, the community and the pastpupils of Irish medium schools in the area and seeks to ensure a continuingIrish language context for them. The provision of an Irish language stage forartists is also addressed. Almost 9,000 people attended An Béal Binn eventsin 2009.'Images in the Traditional Style'This was an exhibition by Judy Pinder in Bray in March 2009. Pinder is anartist / singer from Australia. These images were based on the traditionalstyle between subject and sound. Among the singers on whom an image isbased are Lillis Ó Laoire, Meaití Joe Shéamais Ó Fáthartha, Karen Matheson,Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and Iarla Ó Lionáird. Spectators were able to listento the singers on an mp3 player during the exhibition.'Everything Irish' – Children’s Hope in the PavillionAn initiative for 60 children took place in October 2008 in Shankill, inRosemount, in Sallynoggin and in Ballybracken. These children came frommainstream English language schools and they produced a puppet show onstage in Irish.Irish Spanish Connection in BrayA night on 1 st March in the Mermaid with Cormac Breatnach, Buille and LaMusgana; Music from Spain and Ireland.'Ar Lorg na Maidne' – The Béal Binn Drama CompanyThis is a new drama which was produced in May 2009 in which there is amixture ot the spoken word and the language of music, film and movement.Summer Fun in the MermaidNiamh de Burca acted as Hostess and there were 90 people on stage. Theyincluded: The Durkin Dodd Dancers, the Claire Dowling Dancers, ClassesThree, Five and Six from the Ó Céadaigh Irish medium school.The Béal Binn AwardAt an evening of singing in October the award was presented to the lateCiarán Ó Concheanainn.Greannta / Inscribed – in the MermaidA theatrical item based on the writings of Eavan Boland; accompanied bynew music and film. Geraldine Plunkett, Siobhán Uí Bhroin, Ken Edge,Noreen O’Donoghue and the Dublin String Quartet took part with theColáiste Íosagáin choir.Christmas Fun in BrayA night of music and entertainment.Occasions / Seminars / ConventionsCumann Merriman (The Merriman Association)Cumann Merriman ran two schools in 2009: 'I Would Go to Galway withTunes and Singers' was the theme which was discussed in Galway between 6-8 February. The function of songs in the community today, the store of songsyesterday and today, the changes taking place in the subject and style of the16