Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich

Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich (An Chultúrlann) is an Irish language cultural centre in The Gaeltacht Quarter and is located on the Falls Road, Belfast. Opened in 1991, the centre underwent renovation in 2010 and was opened the following year by Irish President Mary McAleese.

Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich logo
Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich
Location within Belfast
General information
TypeTheatre, Concert hall, Art Gallery, Conference venue
Architectural styleGothic
Address216 Falls Road, Belfast
The Gaeltacht Quarter
Belfast, BT12 6AH
CountryNorthern Ireland
Coordinates54.592465°N 5.961260°W / 54.592465; -5.961260
Inaugurated17 February 1991 (1991-02-17)
Renovated2010–2011
Technical details
Floor count4
Website
culturlann.ie

The centre is home to an art gallery named after local artist Gerard Dillon, a theatre, restaurant, book shop, offices and conference rooms. In 2011, the centre was estimated to receive over 80,000 visitors per year.[1]

History

1991–2010

Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich was founded in 1991 after the purchase of Broadway Presbyterian Church on Falls Road, Belfast. It is named after 19th century Presbyterian businessman and Gaelic revivalist Robert Shipboy McAdam and 20th century Gaelic scholar Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich.[1]

Co-founder Gearóid Ó Cairealláin also founded Raidió Fáilte which aired from the building and Aisling Ghéar, the resident theatre production group.[2] An Chultúrlann was also home to Coláiste Feirste, Northern Ireland's first Irish-medium secondary school with activist Fergus O'Hare serving as principal. The school began with nine pupils.,[3] before the school moved to the nearby Beech Hill House, previously owned by the Riddel family.

In 2010, An Chultúrlann announced a major renovation programme funded by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, International Fund for Ireland, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and the Department for Social Development.[4]

2011 – present

The renovated Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich was re-opened by Irish president Mary McAleese on 19 September 2011,[5] to celebrate 20 years since the centre's opening. The extension and renovation cost £1.9million and included the building of an interactive exhibition space and art gallery, named after local artist Gerard Dillon.[6] Also refurbished was An Ceathrú Póilí, an Irish language bookshop within the centre and Bia, the restaurant.

BBC Two Northern Ireland aired a documentary on 12 December 2011 to celebrate the reopening.[1]

Spaces and resident organisations

Former resident organisations
  • Raidió Fáilte – Radio station founded in An Chultúrlann
  • Coláiste Feirste – Irish language secondary school founded in An Chultúrlann in 1991
  • Lá / Lá Nua – former Irish language daily newspaper
  • Dúch Dúchais – design company

References
  1. "An Chultúrlann, Monday at 10 pm on BBC Two NI". Northern Ireland Screen. 8 December 2011. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. "The Wheelchair Monologues". Cedar Foundation. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  3. "History of Irish medium education". Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  4. "Belfast's Irish language community to benefit from new facilities at An Chulturlann". Arts Council of Northern Ireland. 25 November 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
  5. "President McAleese to open new extension of An Chultúrlann". Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  6. "Belfast's Irish Language hub reveals its £1.9 million facelift". International Fund for Ireland. 19 September 2011. Archived from the original on 31 October 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.

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