University of Galway has held its third annual Siobhán McKenna scholarship and lecture series.

 This event honours the legacy of Siobhán McKenna, the Belfast-born actress who became a world-renowned actress of stage and screen, starring in Dr Zhivago, King of Kings and Of Human Bondage.

 This year's lecture series took the form of an interdisciplinary lecture-performance showcasing the wide-ranging artistry of writer, director and vocalist Esosa Ighodaro, whose work champions Black Irish creativity and explores identity, ritual and intergenerational storytelling.

 Esosa Ighodaro began her artistic life as a touring singer, later moving into acting - a path that sparked her evolution into writing and directing for both stage and screen. 

 Her award‑winning films Round Boxes,  A Little Chilli and Dance Like Someone’s Watching have screened at festivals across Ireland, the US and Africa.

 Presented as part of University of Galway’s Arts in Action programme, Esosa Ighodaro’s lecture-performance blended song, film excerpts and key moments from her artistic practice to date.

 Reflecting on her journey from vocalist to actor, writer and director, Esosa Ighodaro explored how identity, intergenerational legacy, and expanding the landscape of Black Irish creativity drive and unify her body of work to date.

 Esosa Ighodaro, said: “I work across art forms because different stories ask for different ways of being told. It was a pleasure to be invited to share that practice as part of the Siobhán McKenna Lecture, and an honour to place my work in conversation with such a significant legacy.”

 Donnacha O’Dea, Siobhán McKenna’s son who initiated the lecture series and scholarship award, said: “As we enter the third year of this lecture series and scholarship, the power of this initiative to carry forward my mother’s legacy is clearer than ever to me - in ways I know she would have found both exciting and deeply inspiring.”

 Siobhán McKenna’s archive is held by University of Galway, which has long been committed to the preservation and extension of her legacy.

 As part of the event, the Siobhán McKenna Scholarship winner from the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway was announced as Dutch theatremaker, Drieske Steijl. The scholarship is awarded based on previous practical experience and academic achievement that demonstrates; potential for a rewarding career in the arts or politically-engaged arts; and use of native languages.

 Dr Charlotte McIvor, head of Postgraduate Programmes in Drama and Theatre Studies, College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, University of Galway, said: “Esosa Ighodaro’s virtuosic individual artistry and drive to energise and reform the Irish creative sector recalls Siobhán McKenna’s own visionary drive across so many areas of theatre, film and activism. We feel that her body of work and ability to move between so many different roles embodies McKenna’s legacy in the 21^st century.”

 Professor Rebecca Braun, Executive Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, University of Galway, said: “Siobhán McKenna and Esosa Ighodaro both exemplify ambitious visions for the key role creativity must take in public life to not only advance art forms but social and cultural life more generally. We take inspiration from their work today to drive forward the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies’ own vision for creativity in public life through the work of staff and students.”

 The annual Siobhán McKenna Scholarship Award is open to prospective students of the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway.

 It includes:

• A bursary of €2,500 to support one student to undertake the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies administered by Galway University Foundation.
• A package of support to include access to exclusive activities related to Siobhán McKenna and the professional Irish theatre, and drawing on the University’s partnerships with the Abbey Theatre, Druid Theatre, the Lyric Theatre and other groups.
• Fee support of €1,500 for successful applicants.

To apply for the MA in Drama and Theatre Studies at University of Galway visit here.

 This event was co-presented by the Galway University Foundation, the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Arts in Action at University of Galway.

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