Darach Ó Scolaí facts for kids
Darach Ó Scolaí is an Irish writer, playwright, publisher, and artist. He lives in Connemara, a beautiful Irish-speaking area in County Galway. In 2007, he won a big award called the Oireachtas Prize for Literature. He received this prize for his novel, An Cléireach.
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Darach Ó Scolaí's Books
Darach Ó Scolaí is well-known for his writing. His novel, An Cléireach (which means 'The Clerk'), won the Oireachtas Prize for Literature in 2007. This book was published by Leabhar Breac.
He has also written another novel. Plus, he has created modern versions of old Irish stories. These retellings help new readers enjoy classic tales. Darach Ó Scolaí has also written and drawn pictures for several books for children.
What are some of his books?
- Súil an Daill (a novel), Leabhar Breac 2021
- Na Comharthaí (a novel), Leabhar Breac 2014
- An Cléireach (a novel), Leabhar Breac 2007
- Oileán an Órchiste (a translation of Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson), Leabhar Breac 2000
- An Ceithearnach Caolriabhach (an illustrated retelling of a 15th-century tale), Leabhar Breac 2000
- Feis Tigh Chonáin (a retelling of a 16th-century tale), Leabhar Breac 1998
Plays for Stage and Screen
Darach Ó Scolaí has written plays for both the stage and for films. Two of his plays, Coinneáil Orainn and An Braon Aníos, have been performed in theatres.
His play Coinneáil Orainn won two important awards. It received the Walter Macken Prize in 2005. It also won a BBC Stewart Parker Award in 2006. Both Coinneáil Orainn and An Braon Aníos have been published as books.
He also wrote two short film scripts. These were filmed as Cosa Nite and An Leabhar.
What plays has he written?
- An tSeanbhróg, Salamandar 2009
- Craos, Salamandar 2008
- An Braon Aníos, Salamandar 2006
- Labhraí Loingseach, Fíbín 2005
- Coinneáil Orainn, An Taibhdhearc 2005
What films has he worked on?
- Na Cloigne, directed by Robert Quinn, produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, Rosg 2010
- An Leabhar, directed by Robert Quinn, produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, Rosg 2001
- Cosa Nite, directed by Dearbhla Walsh, produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh, Rosg 1999
Darach Ó Scolaí also helped start a film and TV company called Rosg. He was a co-director there until 2005. In 2006, he started his own theatre company, Salamandar. He even directed his own play, An Braon Aníos, with this company.
Publishing Books
In 1995, Darach Ó Scolaí helped create a publishing company called Leabhar Breac. He started it with his brother, Caomhán Ó Scolaí, who is a typographer and designer. They set up the company in Inverin, County Galway.
Leabhar Breac has published many great books. One of them is Fontenoy by Liam Mac Cóil, which won an award in 2006. They also published Hula Hul by Seán Mac Mathúna in 2007.
Art and Creativity
Darach Ó Scolaí is also involved in the art world. He helped start an annual art event called Ealaín ar Oileán. This means 'Art on an Island'. He co-founded it with Val Ballance on Inis Oírr, one of the Aran Islands.
He now directs this art event. It has been held every year since 2004 at Áras Éanna, an arts centre on Inis Oírr. It's a special place for artists to come together.
Documentary Work
Darach Ó Scolaí has also worked on documentaries for television.
- In 1999, he co-directed a documentary called Na Glúnta with Ciarán Ó Cofaigh. It was produced by Ciarán Ó Cofaigh for Rosg.
