Oilean - Celebrating The Blasket Islands...

The Blasket Islands today

In 2003 a new production captured the Siamsa audience.  Oileán-celebrating the Blasket Islands marked the 50^th anniversary of the evacuation of the Blasket Islands.  Under the direction of Oliver Hurley and choreographed by Cindy Cummings this show did a national tour (2004) and also travelled to the Faroe Islands (2005) where it was well received.

  

The classroom scene from our show

With a small population of around 150 people this island, on the verge of Europe, produced three noted Irish writers:  Tomás Ó Criomhthain, Muiris Ó Súilleabháin and Peig Sayers.   

Their stories were written in the Irish Language and have since been translated into English and many other languages. Their writings were of simple Island life, their native culture, traditions, survival and the spirit of the Island.  By 1953 only 22 inhabitants remained and the Irish government could no longer guarantee the safety of the remaining few.

Our show captures the essence of the lives of that Island community.  A wealth of song, music and dance delivers a spell-binding narrative about the people of the Island. We are delighted to have Oileán as one of our four productions during our 40^th Anniversary Celebrations.

In 2013 the company took a day trip to the Great Blasket Island and what a day they had!

Here is a snippet of the show. Check out our website http://www.siamsatire.com/ for performance dates and times throughout our summer season!