I was delighted to get the opportunity to direct an episode of the great TG4 series “Finné”, exploring the seismic social change in Ireland over the last 50 years, as embodied in compelling Irish people. With the help of a great team at Tua Productions, my episode is about “Limerick’s own Billy Elliot”, the extraordinary Roy Galvin. I’ll leave it at that, for now! … Watch this space!
One of my pandemic projects was to undertake Ardteist Gaeilge, Ardleibhéal. The Béaltríail, which constitutes 40% of the mark these days, was particularly tricky, as I had nobody to practice with, and couldn’t get out to Conradh na Gaeilge, or down to the Gaelteacht for a nice little sojourn. I put a call-out on facebook. Roy Ó Gealbháin, who I had the pleasure to meet while interviewing him for Dance Ireland’s 30th Anniversary podcast series came to my rescue. A passionate gaeilgeoir and brilliant teacher, (as well as Ireland’s first home grown male ballet dancer), Roy kindly drilled and grilled me over facebook live on my Srath Pictiúr, and Comhrá. Cé mhéad daoine i do theaglach? Cá rugadh tú? Cén aois tú? With the patience of Job, Roy went through it all with me, checking the grammar and pronunciation (Múin dialect insisted Roy!). Meanwhile, I said “somebody” should make a documentary about you! “Somebody” developed and pitched it, and it is coming soon to your TV screen, as gaeilge, subtitled as Béarla. And the Ardteist? Buíochas le Roy, fuair me 92% sa béaltriail, agus H2 overall. Tharr Barr!
Féach ar an spás seo, a daoine uaisle …