Into the Spotlight: An Exploration of Irish-Language Film and Music

The last few years have seen a flourishing of Irish-language music, television and film. From
the international attention won by Irish rap group Kneecap to the first ever Oscar nomination
for an Irish-language movie (An Cailín Ciúin in 2023), it is clear that Irish media is popular
as never before.

This day of talks from leading experts will explore various facets of modern Irish-language
media, from the diverse world of Irish popular music to the rise and rise of the Irish film
industry.
Note: There is no need to know any Irish to attend – all are welcome! Talks will either be in
English or any Irish elements will be translated.

OUR SPEAKERS:
Carrie Crowley is an actor, best known to international audiences for her role in the Oscar-
nominated film An Cailín Ciúin.
Alan Esslemont is director general of TG4, the Irish-language TV station, and the driving
force behind Cine4, founded in 2017 to develop original feature films in the Irish language
Cian Mac Cárthaigh is a TV presenter and producer, and the founder of Dublin-based musical
collective IMLÉ.
Tríona Ní Shíocháin is Professor of Modern Irish in Maynooth University and an expert in
Irish-language poetry, oral tradition and popular song.