Proposals sought for original commission to mark Irish Language Week

As part of the upcoming Irish Language Week 2021, Derry City and Strabane District Council are inviting artist proposals for a new and original piece of work inspired by an excerpt from the Gaelic verse 'The Deer's Cry', which is attributed to St Patrick.

The project is being funded b​y the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Cllr Brian Tierney, and will see the successful artist receive a grant of up to £1,000.

The text from 'The Deer's Cry' on which the piece must be based has been specifically chosen as the theme for this commission as it evokes a unifying message of hope and resilience and speaks to the themes of renewal and rebirth in the face of challenges.

Artists are invited to submit a proposal outlining how they would create a new and original artwork in response to the theme in their chosen art-form and featuring the text of the verse.

Mayor Brian Tierney said he was delighted to fund the grant as part of the Irish Language Week and St Patrick's Day celebrations.

"This is a great opportunity for artists – whether they are individual artists or a collaboration – to share their ideas and potentially create a fantastic art piece to tie in with Irish Language Week next month.

"The verse upon which the piece will be based really speaks to the experiences and emotions that we have all gone through over the past year and those messages of hope, resilience and renewal will resonate with many.

"It's my pleasure to support this project and I'm eagerly awaiting the ideas that will come forward."

Pól Ó Frighil, Council's Policy and Language Officer, added: "This is a really exciting proposition for artists across the district and we're delighted to have the Mayor's support for this project.

"We felt that the Gaelic verse of 'The Deer's Cry' would be a perfect fit to inspire the creation of an original language-based arts commission and we're excited to see what proposals come forward.

"Artists are asked to remember that the completed work must incorporate either the Old Irish or Modern Irish verse, or indeed both. The English verse may also be included. The artist can be creative about how the text is included, whether visually or as a spoken or sung lyric, but we'd like to see the Irish language verse form the foundation of the piece."

Proposals must be submitted to Pól Ó Frighil by emailing pol.ofrighil@derrystrabane.com by 12 noon on Friday 12 February 2021. Any queries regarding a submission or the eligibility of involvement should also be directed to the same email address.

For guidance notes on the project and an application form for proposals, visit https://www.derrystrabane.com/irishlanguageweek