Darach Ó Scolaí facts for kids
Darach Ó Scolaí is an Irish writer, playwright, publisher, and artist. He lives in Connemara, County Galway, which is a Gaeltacht area where Irish is spoken. In 2007, he won the Oireachtas Prize for Literature for his novel, An Cléireach.
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Darach Ó Scolaí's Writing
Darach Ó Scolaí is well-known for his books. His novel An Cléireach (which means 'The Clerk') was published in 2007. This book won a big award, the 2007 Oireachtas Prize for Literature. It was published by Leabhar Breac, a publishing house in Inverin.
Books for Young Readers
Besides novels for adults, Darach Ó Scolaí has also written and drawn pictures for several children's books. He has also retold old Irish stories in a new way, making them interesting for today's readers. Some of his published works include:
- Súil an Daill (a novel) from 2021
- Na Comharthaí (a novel) from 2014
- Oileán an Órchiste (a translation of Treasure Island) from 2000
- An Cléireach (a novel) from 2007
- An Ceithearnach Caolriabhach (an illustrated retelling of an old tale) from 2000
- Feis Tigh Chonáin (a retelling of a 16th-century tale) from 1998
Plays for Stage and Screen
Darach Ó Scolaí has written plays for the theater and short films for the screen. Two of his plays, Coinneáil Orainn and An Braon Aníos, have been performed on stage. He also wrote two short screenplays, Cosa Nite and An Leabhar, which were made into films.
Awards for His Plays
His play Coinneáil Orainn won the Walter Macken Prize in 2005. It also received a BBC Stewart Parker Award in 2006. Both Coinneáil Orainn and An Braon Aníos have been published as books.
Working in Film and Theater
Darach Ó Scolaí helped start a film and television company called Rosg with Ciarán Ó Cofaigh. He was a co-director there until 2005. In 2006, he started his own theater company called Salamandar. He even directed his own play, An Braon Aníos, with this company.
Staged Performances
- 2009: An tSeanbhróg, by Salamandar
- 2008: Craos, by Salamandar
- 2006: An Braon Aníos, by Salamandar
- 2005: Labhraí Loingseach, by Fíbín
- 2005: Coinneáil Orainn, by An Taibhdhearc
Filmed Works
- 2010: Na Cloigne, directed by Robert Quinn, produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, Rosg
- 2001: An Leabhar, directed by Robert Quinn, produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, Rosg
- 1999: Cosa Nite, directed by Dearbhla Walsh, produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, Rosg
Television Documentaries
- 1999: Na Glúnta, co-directed with Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, Rosg
Publishing House: Leabhar Breac
In 1995, Darach Ó Scolaí co-founded a publishing company called Leabhar Breac. He started it with his brother, Caomhán Ó Scolaí, who is a typographer and designer. Their company is located in Inverin (Indreabhán) in County Galway. Leabhar Breac has published many books, including award-winning novels like Fontenoy by Liam Mac Cóil (which won the Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin award in 2006) and Hula Hul by Seán Mac Mathúna (from 2007).
Art Symposium: Ealaín ar Oileán
Darach Ó Scolaí also has a passion for art. In Inis Oirr, an island, he helped start an annual event for artists called Ealaín ar Oileán. He co-founded it with Val Ballance. This event, which means 'Art on Island', brings artists together every year. It has been held at Áras Éanna in Inis Oírr since 2004, and Darach Ó Scolaí now directs it.
