Aniar Aneas, Aniar Aduaidh

'Aniar Aneas, Aniar Aduaidh' brings together leading Irish-language artists from all of the major Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking regions) of Ireland for the opening performance of SAR 2026. The title of the concert plays on concepts of westerliness, while leaning into a parallel meaning of 'Aniar Aduaidh' (literally from the NorthWest), which means 'to be taken by surprise'! It showcases the engaged arts practice research of Taighde Dána (= Bold/Artistic Research), a collective of Irish-language artistic researchers dedicated to fostering arts practice and artistic research through the medium of Irish, in all its forms, from the traditional to the experimental. Taighde Dána is a subcommittee of IMBAS: an Irish Forum for Arts Practice Researchers and Artists.

Join us for an evening of Gaeltacht traditional music and dance, and most especially a showcasing of the sean-nós singing tradition - a highly ornate free-rhythmic style of vernacular song practice of the Irish oral tradition. This performance will see established Gaeltacht artists collaborate with young Gaeltacht performers, fostering a space of intergenerational collective creativity from within a vibrant, though minoritised, arts practice culture. This concert celebrates the power of vernacular arts practice in contesting coloniality and enabling the articulation of contemporary Gaeltacht selfhoods from within the sonic world of an endangered language practice. The 'Aniar Aneas, Aniar Aduaidh' project is funded by the youth arts division of Ealaín na Gaeltachta, Clár Cuisle https://ealain.ie/en/cuisle-project/, who engage in pioneering work in Gaeltacht regions in fostering and promoting Irish-language arts among young people. 'Aniar Aneas, Aniar Aduaidh' is co-directed by Tríona Ní Shíocháin, Síle Denvir, Nada Ní Chuirrín, and Marianne Ní Chinnéide of Taighde Dána/IMBAS.