Oriel Dramatic Players

13/11/2019

04/11/2019

Oriel Dramatic Players would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who attended the recent launch of Hunter’s Moon of Airgialla at Killeavy Castle. Judging by immediate reaction, people really seem to have enjoyed themselves, from their arrival for the drinks reception in the Castle hall with accompanying music, through to the performance of dramatized readings, and ultimately to the evening dance; indeed people were quick-stepping and jiving into those wee small hours!
Thankyou one and all, attendees, performers and special guests alike for making this a spectacular night to remember.
I believe everyone will agree, it was a wonderful occasion to celebrate and commemorate the 18th century bards of Creggan, south Armagh.
Regards, Rosemary Tumilty, on behalf of all the Oriel Dramatic Players.

31/10/2019

NVTV BELFAST LIVE........LIGHTS! CAMERA! ACTION!
This interview explores the performance that is 'Hunter's Moon of Airgialla' - a dynamic fusion of music, song, classic drama and dance culminating in a unique sensory theatre experience, celebrating the poetry, songs, myths and legends of Oriel, past and present, showcasing the exquisite depth and diversity of local talent.

To Karen Mooney, Cormac O'Mordha, and all the team at NVTV, thankyou for being such an amazing professional team (not to mention the life-saving coffee!), and to Gearóid Ó Triombaill for providing historical background and context for my play and the 18th century poets and bards of Creggan. Also a special mention to Malachy Rafferty who introduced me to the poets of Creggan two years ago, almost to the day! I salute you all!

Major shout out here to our wonderful cast of Oriel Dramatic Players that I have the pleasure of working alongside: Sinead McAleavy, Sinead Lunny Parfitt, PJ Davey and Anthony McFadden as well as Guests, Colleen Savage, Bláithín Mhic Cana, , Jason Donnelly, Ciara Cullen, Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, and the Armagh Rhymers.........I thank you all. Together you make performances a joy!
Rosemary Tumilty

28/10/2019

SEATS GOING FAST!!! To book your seat for 'Hunter's Moon of Airgialla' just click the link below:
TICKETS ON SALE NOW:
Saturday 2nd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307866
Sunday 3rd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307873

Oriel Dramatic Players are in final stages of rehearsals for the hauntingly spectacular 'Hunter's Moon Of Airgialla', looking forward to the coming weekend performances. Stage and lighting being erected this week by the wonderful Dagan and Stephen of 'Stage and Lighting Hire'.
2nd & 3rd November at Killeavy Castle.....nights not to be missed!

A haunting new dramatisation is set to transport you back 300 years to ancient Slieve Gullion to hear the wit and wisdom of our forgotten ancient poets and their message for our times.Newry woman

27/10/2019

Good morning to all on this bright and fresh Autumnal day!
Here at Oriel Dramatic Players we're getting very excited for our exclusive performances next weekend 'Hunter's Moon of Airgialla' at Killeavy Castle (2nd & 3rd Nov). Come along for historical talks, meaningful music, distinguished drama, soulful songs, and a night of mighty craic, breathing new life into the 18th Century poets of Creggan, south Armagh! We've introduced you to many of our cast and guests over this past week, but if history, drama, and songs don't float your boat, then come along purely for the terrific dance band 'The Living Daylights' headed up by the inimitable Peter Mac Anulty (of The Jammin' Factory - Music Tuition and Recording Studio), who will surely have you gliding around the floor with style and panache, putting those dance shoes to the test!

For this amazing night of craic, entertainment, and ghostly goings-on! ..... BOOK NOW!......

FOR TWO NIGHTS ONLY: 'HUNTER'S MOON OF AIRGIALLA':
TICKETS ON SALE:
Saturday 2nd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307866
Sunday 3rd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307873

25/10/2019

Hi folks,
Some of you were asking for the online flyer to share with friends and relatives for details; two versions uploaded. Thankyou for your enquiries.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW......
Saturday 2nd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307866
Sunday 3rd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307873

25/10/2019

Oriel Dramatic Players have the pleasure of being accompanied on stage for 'Hunter's Moon of Airgialla' by multi award-winning singers Colleen Savage and Bláithín Mhic Cana. For an amazing opportunity to experience the delights of these ethereal voices, ensure your seat at this unique one-off event shared over two nights at Killeavy Castle. Limited tickets remaining for Saturday Night.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW......
Saturday 2nd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307866
Sunday 3rd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307873

‘Hunter’s Moon Of Airgialla’ is a new Irish play written and brought to you by local Newry playwright, Rosemary Tumilty. These wonderful evening events, at Killeavy Castle on 2nd and 3rd November, incorporating dramatized readings, are presented by Oriel Dramatic Players, as they unveil a beguiling story, and a cautionary tale, that invoke the wit, will and wisdom of the 18th century poets of Creggan, south Armagh, imparting understanding, knowledge and wisdom for 21st century Ireland, and examines our relationship with the border. This performance is a dynamic fusion of music, song, classic drama and dance culminating in a unique sensory theatre experience, celebrating the poetry, songs, myths and legends of Oriel, past and present, showcasing the exquisite depth and diversity of local talent.

COLLEEN SAVAGE: Colleen is a singer songwriter in the folk and Irish traditional genre. Singing from a young age, she has won numerous county titles solo singing in Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsear. Now a Slieve Gullion Ambassador, passionate about the arts, she has coordinated, organised and performed as support at a number of musical events in South Armagh including John Spillane in concert, Óiche na mBan featuring Pauline Scanlon and Fiach Moriarty and Ríoghnach Connolly in Concert. She is this year's recipient of the Sounds New Patsy Tinnelly Memorial Award at this year's Fiddler's Green Festival. Colleen writes her own material, inspired by local life and the landscape around her and is currently working on her debut ep.

BLÁITHÍN MHIC CANA: Is amhránaí ar an tSean nós í Bláithín Mhic Cana, de bhunadh Ard Mhacha theas. Bláithín Mhic Cana is a traditional Seán nós singer and native of South Armagh. She grew up on the slopes of Slieve Gullion, in a family where a love of song and music was always nurtured, and has been heavily influenced by the rich song tradition of the Oriel region, and by local singers and scholars, in particular Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and her ground-breaking work on Gaelic song. Bláithín was the recipient of the prestigious Corn Uí Chriagain cup for traditional singing at Seán nós na Fearsáide 2019 and will represent Oriel in the acclaimed Oireachtas na Samhna competition in November. She is also an Gaelscoil teacher, language activist and co-founder of Glórtha gCuilinn singers circle.

24/10/2019

KILLEAVY CASTLE - 2nd and 3rd November -
A THEATRICAL FUSION OF MUSIC AND DRAMA:
Regarding our evening guests for these events, I have pleasure in introducing none other than local historians Kevin Murphy and Una Walsh, true Ambassadors for the region. Kevin, Una, and Gearóid Ó Triombaill will be providing historical background on the Castle, the 18th century poets of Creggan, and the general region, giving true insight and depth to the entire proceedings.
TICKETS ARE LIMITED SO GUARANTEE YOURS NOW:
Saturday 2nd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307866
Sunday 3rd November 2019 tickets:
http://buytickets.at/orieldramaticplayers/307873

KEVIN MURPHY: Kevin is a founder director of Ti Chulainn Cultural Centre in Mullach Ban, South Armagh. He was a teacher of English and Politics and has been involved in historical and literary research for almost fifty years; has lectured widely and has co-authored two books ‘Kick Any Stone’(2003) and ‘A Famine Link’(2006).He has recently published ‘Between The
Revolutions:1867 to 1916’; ‘A Revolutionary Journey—Peter Donnelly of Carnally’; ‘Old Men Were Once Young: The Fourth Northern Division’; ‘A Place Apart: Starvation in South Armagh’ and ‘From The Universe to The Townland: A History of South Armagh, Newry and South Down 1900-1925’.He is currently working on the South Armagh writer, Peter Donnelly of Lislea and on a History of Carricknagavna Townland.

UNA WALSH: Una is a community volunteer and passionate about her South Armagh home. She supports local schools in local history projects and many of you will already know her as the compelling and fascinating tour guide for the Ring of Gullion heritage tours. Una is co-author of ‘A Famine Link’(2006), and is the true embodiment of Ambassador for the entire Ring of Gullion area.

21/10/2019

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to two people who have helped shape and mould truths from Southeast Ulster heritage, tradition, history and culture, with the fictional story that is 'Hunter's Moon of Airgialla'; DR GEARÓID TRIMBLE and MALACHY RAFFERTY:

DR GEARÓID TRIMBLE: Gearóid, a native of Crossmaglen in South Armagh, is a senior manager with Foras na Gaeilge and an independent researcher on literary aspects of the Irish language, with a particular focus on the Gaelic heritage of Southeast Ulster. He has published a wide range of articles and books on the linguistic heritage of Oriel including a compendium of the local song tradition in the Irish language, ‘Glór Gaeilge Oirdheisceart Uladh’ (2009), a chronological history of the local Gaelic poetic tradition in ‘Poets, Minor Poets and Poetasters in Oirialla’ (2011), and a biographical study of the life and the poetry of the local 17h century poet in ‘Raghnall Dall Mac Domhnaill – Creggan’s Other Great Gaelic Poet’ (2018). Gearóid is a BA and MA graduate of Ulster University in Irish Language Studies and also has a PhD in Irish Literature. Gearóid also sits on the board of Creggan Local History Society.

MALACHY O'RAIFEARTAIGH: Malachy, former Chairperson of Newry and Mourne District Council’s Irish Language Committee, as well as Irish language tutor, has a number of previous writing credits to his name: the booklet, ‘Robert Emmet in Music, Song and Dance’; the play, ‘The Life and Times of Patrick Rankin’; and the profile play of Pat Shannahan, ‘The Dancing Man’ in collaboration with ‘Stepping Out of Line’, and his most recent offering, his book of poems: ‘Reflections – In the Shadow of Slievegullion’.
His connection with the land reaches through all aspects of his life, from being an instructor with ‘Cycling Ireland’, and a qualified Mountain Leader registered with ‘Mountaineering UK’ and ‘Mountaineering Ireland’, to holding a National Diploma in ‘Sports Turf Management’.
Malachy has a passion for his native land of south Armagh, and encompasses all that it has to offer from its beautiful landscape of rolling drumlins, to its culture, myths and legends.
As members of Ciorcal Scríobhneoirí Dun-Macha, Rosemary and Malachy aim to bring much of its context to the page, or indeed to the stage!