Gaelic bred?!?
First Irish-language stand-up gig
Comics are planning what’s thought to be the first ever stand-up show to be performed entirely in the Irish language.
On Friday, four comedians who usually perform in English will take to the stage of Belfast’s Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, an arts centre on the Falls Road dedicated to keeping the Gaelic language alive.
One of them, Colman Higgins, pictured, said: “While there’s been a thriving stand-up comedy scene in Dublin and Belfast for many years, this is the first time a show has taken place entirely in the Irish language.
“Like most people in Ireland, I couldn't stand the Irish language as a kid in school. But for year or two in the mid-Nineties I went to a group in Dublin who were into using the language as just a language, without the conservative or traditionalist connotations it usually has.
“I've been doing stand-up for years and was always interested in trying it in another language, so I jumped at this chance to give it a go. I've translated part of my set, but had to drop anything with puns.
Higgins – who is taking a solo theatre show Bus-spotting to the Edinburgh Fringe - shares the Culturlann stage with Eleanor Tiernan, Padraig Fox and Breda O’Donnell for the show, which starts at 8pm.
Published: 21 Jun 2005
