Artist Support | Em Ó Ceallaigh

31 July 2026

Admin Hot Desk
20-31 July

"I'm extremely grateful for the time and space to work at Draíocht over two weeks in July. Space for artists is hard to come by, and can often be only reserved for practical work. Although dreaming and making was done, a lot of my time was focused on applications, and looking at developing my systems for future work. It is invaluable to have space outside of my house/a café. It also allowed me to spend more time with Draíocht's team to both develop ideas for my Mentorship Residency, and to get to know each other better.

Some things I did/thought about include: completing 3 applications for new theatre work that would allow for development and future productions; a dramaturgy session with HK Ní Shioradáin, discussing their new piece as Gaeilge that explores the climate from the perspective of dinosaurs; and I started to imagine a participatory project about the ethics and uses of AI, and I might create a new theatre piece with different levels of public participation around Blanchardstown. How could Y2K be used to explore ideas of fear of technology intergenerationally? And how does that differ with AI, with a focus on the more urgent themes of climate, surveillance and power.

A huge thanks to the Draíocht team for this support!"

Em Ó Ceallaigh

"Draíocht is delighted to support the development of Em Ó Ceallaigh's practice and is uniquely placed to do so. The three-year commitment is significant (2026-2028) and is in direct response to conversations with artists who have highlighted the need for support over a longer timeframe than 12 months. This residency builds on the relationship Draíocht has developed with Em previously, including their Draíocht supported residency in CCI Paris in 2025." - Emer McGowan, Director Draíocht

Artist Biography - Em Ó Ceallaigh

I’m a theatre-maker, working as a director, dramaturg, facilitator, writer and devisor. My work often focuses on children and young people, audience or community and can be participatory in nature. Play and integrity are at the heart of this. I’m interested in exploring shame and the stories we tell about ourselves and others. I often create work multilingually through Irish and in collaboration with other artists who speak languages I don’t.

I am a Branar Meitheal participant 2025-26, a dynamic support programme for artists and producers creating work for young audiences. I was the Engagement Director (2019-22), and then Artistic Director (2022-23) of Super Paua, a company founded by Sian Ní Mhuirí, that made art for young people, and delivered bespoke artist support. I was awarded Draíocht’s CCI Residency award 2024/25, and spent a month in Paris in July 2025.

Work includes: Director & story for Síomha and the Otherworld, written by Sian Ní Mhuirí, supported by the Arts Council’s Project Award 2024: Riverbank Arts Centre, dlr Mill Theatre, and axis: Ballymun (May-June 2025); associate director for Future Stories project, an 18 month theatre/film development programme for care-experienced young people in Ireland founded by Oonagh Murphy, and a director / script editor on the film they created, produced by Cracking Light Productions: Smock Alley, First Fortnight Festival 2026 (2024-26); stiúrthóir ag obair ar dhráma úr aiteach, An Chos Eile le Sean Mac Dhonnagáin: axis: Ballymun (2023), léiriú idir lámha ag Oireachtas na Samhna (2024); curator as a part of Schöne Aussicht 2024, an international performing arts festival for young people; director, dramaturg and producer on Super Paua Stories, a multilingual podcast for young people (2019-2023); drama facilitator and script editor for Echo’s Bones, a collaborative film-making project led by Sarah Browne with autistic young people in North Dublin (2022).

Discover More

View all

Artist Biography - Em Ó Ceallaigh

Keep up to date