Gaelscoil kids win national drama title
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Jamie, Ciara and Seán, children from infant classes at Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn performing in the Arts Centre in the Féile Scoil Drámaíochta. JOHN_MC_CAULEYImage 2 of 5
The children from Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn lined up on stage. JOHN_MC_CAULEYImage 3 of 5
The young thespians performed their roles with gusto. JOHN_MC_CAULEYImage 4 of 5
Insert: Rian, Ben and Liadan onstage. JOHN_MC_CAULEYImage 5 of 5
Looking very sweet! Jace, Aine, Saoirse and Noel. JOHN_MC_CAULEYA play about a gingerbread man proved to be the recipe for success for a Mullingar school in a recent drama competition.
‘An Fear Sinséir’ won out its category at national level for Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn at the Féile Scoil Drámaíochta – and the stars of the show were the school’s youngest pupils, from the ranks of the junior and senior infant classes.
“There were three different rounds of the competition: first the regional, then the Leinster final and then the All-Ireland final,” says school principal Bríd de Bhial, explaining that the various rounds took pace during the course of the months of March and April at the Arts Centre in Mullingar. A week after giving their final performance they were notified that they were winners.
The play was a musical, written by teacher Esther Ní Chonchúir, and the three other teachers on the production team were Valerie de Faoite, Fiona Seoige and Síle Ní Riain. The cast was large: “Forty-two pupils took part,” said Esther, and the parents and the school collaborated to kit them all out with costumes.
While much of the show was in song, there were a number of speaking parts as well, but the children were completely undaunted by the experience.
The school has something of a tradition of excellence in the competition having won titles in previous years also.
The children who took part were: Naíonáin Bheaga: Thomas Ó Beaglaoich-Ó Cuilinn, Oisín Ó Cearnaigh, Alfie Ó Díomasaigh, Cormac Ó Duinn, Brogan Mac Eachaidh, Luke Mac Giolla Phádraig, Daniel Lupu, Cole Mac Mathúna, Róise Ní Mheachair, Seoidín Ní Mhurchú, Niamh Pléimeann, Olivia Póirtéir, Aurelia Slaughter, Oisín Ó Broin, Thomas Ó Fearghail, Cian Mac an Fhailí agus Kyran Ó Flannagáin-Mac Casarlaigh
Naíonáin Mhóra: Emma Ní Aoláin, Ciara Báicéir, Jace Ó Cathasaigh, Finley Ó Cearúill, Jamie Ó hEireamhóin, Cole de Faoite-Ó hAllúráin, Noel Ó Fuarain, Rian Ó Giollagái, Nicoleta Lupu, Sam Ó Maoilchiaráin, Eli Mac Mathúna, Kasey Ní Mhóra, Noah Mac Oireachtaigh-de Gréibh, Joshua Mac an tSaoi-Ó Maoláin, Saoirse Nic an tSaoir, Liadán Ní Shaoraí, Emre Urtetin, DJ Ó Daimhín, Áine Nic Giolla Dhuibh, Brooklyn Ní Mhaoileana, Ivy Rose Nic Oireachtaigh, Zara Ní Óráin, Ben Mac Philib, Loui Mac Philib agus Séan Mac Thiarnáin.