TAIGH/TŶ/TEACH

Taigh/Tŷ/Teach is a major, tri-lingual site-specific theatre piece written by Màiri Morrison (Scotland), Eva O’Connor (Ireland) and Mared Llywelyn Williams (Wales), and directed by Muireann Kelly and co-produced by Fishamble Theatre, Theatre Gu Leòr and Theatr Bara Caws.

British Council Ireland, with the Scottish and Welsh Governments in Ireland, are delighted to have supported this work which was shown in Ireland at Ionad na Dromoda on the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry (9th - 14th February); Nant Gwrtheyrn, Wales (21st - 24th February), and before this at Grinneabhat, Lewis, in Scotland (30th January - 1st February).

Premiere Screening of Taigh/Tŷ/Teach

In celebration of the European Day of Languages, and in recognition of linguistic diversity on these islands, British Council Ireland, Scottish Government in Ireland, and Welsh Government in Ireland co-hosted a premiere screening of the BBC Alba recording of Taigh/Tŷ/Teach on 18 September 2024 in the Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin.

This world premiere screening explored linguistic diversity and the shared challenges of housing in rural regions in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This screening was followed by a panel discussion with the writers and director of the work.

To view photos from the night, click here.

two people, a man and a woman. She's fixing his tie. It looks like a scene from their wedding day.

About Taigh/Tŷ/Teach

Synopsis

‘Taigh’ in Gaelic, ‘Tŷ’ in Welsh and ‘Teach’ in Irish. The same meaning in three languages: ‘House’. The centre of our world, it’s a place for family, for gathering, for music. A place for mourning and for celebration, for playing and for belonging. But it’s a place under threat, with second home ownership, rising rents and lack of affordable housing impacting our communities and our languages.

Three houses, three communities and three stories unfolding, each reflecting the challenges shared by the three countries and the people at the heart of them.

Development

Three writers were commissioned to write the play, which was performed in all three languages, with subtitles in English. Theatre Gu Leòr (new writing Gàidhlig theatre company), Fishamble (new writing company in Ireland), and Theatr Bara Caws (Welsh language theatre company), developed the project, with writers Eva O’Connor in Ireland, Mairi Morrison in Scotland, and Mared Llywelyn Williams in Wales. The writers worked with director Muireann Kelly.

The project was staged site specifically in early 2024, in a building where small audience groups were guided through and encountered short episodes conceived and performed by speakers of each of the languages. This was fully accessible at all times to those who don’t speak any of the three languages, using various digital technologies. Each writer had their own room, and each piece written in one of the three languages was 25 minutes, with transition moments where the three languages connected through dialogue and song.

Live music, visuals and movement were an important part of this work, as they explored moments where these languages can collide and interact, both digitally and live. This piece explored what connects and separates us.

Production

The full production in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland, Kerry Gaeltacht of Ireland, and Heartlands of Wales, took place in early 2024.

The Scottish run took place in Grinneabhat on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides from 27 – 31 January. The Irish run took place in Ionad na Dromoda on the Iveragh Peninsula from 9 – 14 February. The Welsh run took place in Nant Gwrtheyrn on the Llŷn Peninsula from 20 – 24 February.

About European Day of Languages- 26 September 2024

2024 Initiative: Languages for Peace

Throughout Europe, 700 million Europeans are represented in the Council of Europe's 46 member states and all are encouraged to discover more languages at any age, as part of or alongside their studies. This stems from the Council of Europe’s conviction that linguistic diversity is a tool for achieving greater intercultural understanding and a key element in the rich cultural heritage of our continent. Therefore, the Council of Europe, in Strasbourg, promotes plurilingualism across Europe.

At the Council of Europe’s initiative, the European Day of Languages has been celebrated every year since 2001 on 26 September - together with the European Commission.

The European Day of Languages is a well-established opportunity to raise awareness about language learning and linguistic diversity. Find out more below.