The Colmcille Project – Le Chéile (Short Film)
Over the course of two years, eleven artists in total (myself included) have received funding from Duais Dìleab Chaluim Chille / The Colmcille Legacy Award. This is a national scheme hosted by the Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly in partnership with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Argyll and Bute Council, to commemorate the life and cultural legacy of St Colmcille as part of the Year of Colmcille, 1500. Illuminations will highlight the outcomes of the award scheme, showing through artwork the legacy of Colmcille.
My project involves the writing and creation of a short film that interrogates the interaction between Gaelic and Irish. The film explores the dynamic between a Rangers supporter (Gaelic speaker) and a Celtic supporter (Irish speaker) when they are forced to interact, pivoting around the idea that language can bring people together.
The short film delves into the relationship between Irish (Ireland) and Gaelic (Scotland). These languages are similar yet different, connected to each other through common ancestry, but also distinctly individual. The majority of people won’t know the difference between the two or the extent to which the two languages are connected. This short-film, Le Chéile, wants to change this.
Le Chéile will be released in 2022.
A bit more about the Illuminations
Five locations across Argyll and Bute will be bathed in light next month to celebrate the
anniversary of the birthday of Colmcille/St Columba. Each site will be spectacularly lit by projections featuring the artwork of artists at 7pm on 7 December 2021.
‘Illuminations’ will project artwork in the gardens of Hermitage Park (Helensburgh), onto McCaig’s Tower (Oban), The Queen’s Hall (Dunoon), near the Egg Shed (Ardrishaig, Scottish Canals), and at a site still to be revealed on the Isle of Bute. Illuminations marks the birth date of St Colmcille on 7 December 521 AD, and celebrates the artistic achievements of all of those supported by the The
Colmcille Legacy Award.
Colmcille 1500 promotes the heritage of St Colmcille, whose abbey linked Ireland and Scotland. The year provided an opportunity to promote the Gaelic languages of Ireland and Scotland. As part of Illuminations, artists also based in Northern Ireland will be holding events on the evening of 7 December 2021.
Jo McLean, Chair of the Culture, Heritage and Arts Assembly, Argyll and Isles:
“The Colmcille Legacy Award Scheme in partnership with Bòrd na Gàidhlig and the Council has produced tremendous results and we are delighted to be able to highlight the achievements of Gaelic artists and Gaelic partnerships through Illuminations alongside Colmcille 1500 participants in Northern Ireland.”
Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council:
“Gaelic is fundamental in the history of Argyll and Bute and we are committed to promoting it and the many notable St Columba Trail sites in the area. It’s fantastic to see so many Gaelic artists represented through the Colmcille Legacy Award.”