Ciara Ní É: A Bard's Journey Through Language and Art
An exploration of the multifaceted career of an acclaimed Irish poet, playwright, screenwriter, and broadcaster, highlighting her significant contributions to contemporary literature and the arts.
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Biographical Overview
A Multifaceted Artist
Ciara Ní É is a distinguished Irish poet, playwright, screenwriter, and broadcaster, recognized for her significant work, often conducted through the Irish language. She is the visionary founder of the bilingual spoken-word event REIC and a co-founder, with Eoin McEvoy, of the vibrant LGBTQ+ arts collective AerachAiteachGaelach.[1][13]
Academic Foundations
Ní É hails from Clontarf, Dublin, where she was raised as one of five children.[2] Her academic journey includes a degree in English Literature and Modern Irish from Trinity College Dublin (2013), followed by a master's degree in Scríobh agus Cumarsáid na Gaeilge from University College Dublin (2015).[3][4] She further enriched her experience by teaching Irish at Villanova University as a Fulbright scholar (2017–18).[5]
National and International Recognition
Her contributions have garnered significant recognition, including being named among the Irish Examiner’s "100 Women Changing Ireland" in 2022.[26] Her broadcasting work, notably the TG4 documentary Ciara Ní É: Saol Trí Ghaeilge (2021), received nominations at the Celtic Media Festival and Oireachtas Media Awards.[17]
Poetry and Performance
REIC: A Bilingual Spoken-Word Platform
Founded in 2015 during her master's studies, Ní É established REIC, a dynamic bilingual spoken-word and open mic event. REIC serves as a vital platform for poets, musicians, and spoken-word artists working in both Irish and English, attracting coverage from major broadcasters like RTÉ and TG4.[6]
FísDáanta: Visual Poetry Projects
In collaboration with the Irish Writers Centre, REIC produced FísDáanta (video poems). These innovative works have gained academic attention, being studied at institutions such as the University of Limerick, Dublin City University, and the University of Connecticut. A second series was announced for 2025.[7][8]
International Stages and Literary Presence
Ní É's poetry has been featured in numerous journals and anthologies, including Bone and Marrow/Cnámh agus Smior (Wake Forest University Press, 2022), Queering the Green (Lighthouse Press, 2021), and Washing Windows Too (Arlen House, 2022).[9] She is a regular performer at prominent Irish festivals such as the Dublin Fringe Festival, Listowel Writers’ Week, and Electric Picnic, and has presented her work internationally in cities like New York, London, Berlin, Paris, and Stockholm.[10]
Theatre and Screenwriting
Dramatic Works
Ní É has made significant contributions to theatre. She co-wrote and performed in Grindr, Saghdar & Cher (2022), a production supported by Oireachtas na Gaeilge that toured nationally and was staged at the Galway International Arts Festival and Outburst Arts Festival.[11] She also co-created Idir Mise agus Craiceann do Chluaise with Eoin McEvoy, which premiered at the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2021.[12]
Cinematic Endeavors
Her screenwriting prowess is evident in the bilingual short film Claonadh (2024). The script for this film secured first place in the Físín short film competition, and the film itself premiered at the prestigious Galway Film Fleadh.[11]
Arts Collectives and Community
AerachAiteachGaelach: A Queer Arts Collective
In 2020, Ciara Ní É, alongside Eoin McEvoy, co-founded AerachAiteachGaelach. This collective champions queer Irish language arts, curating and producing impactful events at venues and festivals including the Dublin Fringe Festival, the Abbey Theatre, and the International Literature Festival Dublin.[13][14]
Artistic Residencies
Periods of Creative Development
Ní É has been awarded several prestigious artistic residencies, fostering focused creative development:
Selected Publications
Literary Contributions
Ciara Ní É's published works span poetry collections and contributions to significant anthologies:
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Important Notice
This page has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The content is derived from publicly available data, specifically the Wikipedia article on Ciara Ní É, and may not represent the most current or exhaustive information available.
This is not professional literary or career advice. The information presented herein should not be considered a substitute for direct consultation with literary experts, arts professionals, or official sources. We strongly advise against disregarding professional guidance based on the content of this page.
The creators of this page assume no liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.