Gaelscoil Inis Corthaidh scoop top theatre award
THE students Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh scooped a top award at the 2017 Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards.
The winners were revealed at a special awards ceremony at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre last Wednesday hosted by RTÉ 2FM presenter Eoghan McDermott.
The top prize in the Best Costumes category was awarded to Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh in Enniscorthy for their remarkable production of ‘Oíche Chiúin’. The judges were dazzled by their production and noted that the costumes really brought the story alive. Gaelscoil Inis Córthaidh also received a bursary from Bord Gáis Energy.
Over 1,700 primary and secondary school students representing 63 schools from across Ireland attended the event and waited in suspense as the 2017 winners were revealed. On the day, a number of shortlisted schools also had the opportunity to perform live on Ireland’s largest theatre stage and students were also treated to a surprise performance by Irish rock band, The Strypes.
Now in its fourth year, the Student Theatre Awards were set up by Bord Gáis Energy to recognise and reward participation in the dramatic arts in schools around Ireland. This year, 2,616 entries were received from a record 309 primary and secondary schools.
Special guests at the awards ceremony included members of the Bord Gáis Energy Student Theatre Awards judging panel, including; actor and author Amy Huberman, Dancing with the Stars runner-up Aoibhín Garrihy, best-selling novelist Sinéad Moriarty, writer and storyteller Dave Rudden; Bord Gáis Energy Theatre Manager Stephen Faloon and Bord Gáis Energy Sponsorship Programme Manager, Tanya Townsend.
Príomhoide Judy Uí Ifearnáin said that everyone in the school is ‘over the moon that we scooped this magnificent award. It’s the first time we have ever done a musical and therefore the first time we entered the competition. A huge amount of time, effort and energy went into this production by children, teach- ers and parents and we are extremely grateful to them and proud of their wonderful achievement.’
Dave Kirwan, of Bord Gáis Energy said: ‘ The theme of this year’s awards was all about participation, and I think the ceremony was a great example of this. It was fantastic to see so many schools coming together to take part.