CAMP Rehoboth to host An Evening of Celtic Consciousness Dec. 8
CAMP Rehoboth will host An Evening of Celtic Consciousness from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8. Irish actor Dónall Ó Héalaí will facilitate the sharing of Irish songs, stories and poetry in an enjoyable and meaningful way. This ancient tradition, which survived into the last century especially in western Ireland, was the custom of holding nightly gatherings in neighbors’ homes, known as Oíche Airneáin, a night of music and stories.
Held during the cold, dark winter months at nighttime, the gatherings brought neighbors together to enjoy well-loved stories and songs by the glow of a turf fire burning in the hearth. This was a hugely helpful custom for people to escape the harsh winter environment, allowing a rare opportunity for reflection and celebration, and temporary social refuge from the difficult conditions of winter life.
Born and raised in Connemara in the west of Ireland, Ó Héalaí is the founding director of Celtic Consciousness. A lover and sharer of stories and songs, he is a native Gaelic speaker and a graduate of the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, where he was awarded the Dr. H.H Stewart Literary Prize.
He has worked extensively with the national Irish-language television channel, TG4, as well as with the National Irish-language theatre, An Taibhdhearc. He has also taught at The Irish Arts Center in New York City. In 2015, he was presented with Irish Screen America's Rising Talent Award for his in performance in film. His acting work in film and television has been featured in the Toronto Film Festival and at the Prix Europa television awards.
Tickets are $25. To purchase, go to www.eventbrite.com and search Celtic Consciousness. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, but space is limited so advance purchase is recommended.
This event is presented by Sussex County Irish Society Clann Na Ngael. For more information, email clannnagaelde@gmail.com, contact the organization’s founder Lauren Thomas at 512-658-7413 or go to www.clannnagael.org.
