View source for Siamsa Tíre

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[[File:Siamsa Tíre Theatre.jpg|thumb|Siamsa Tíre Theatre]]
'''Siamsa Tíre''' ({{IPA|ga|ˈʃiəmˠsˠə ˈtʲiːɾʲə}}; meaning  "entertainment of the land") is home to Ireland's National Folk Theatre and is located in [[Tralee Town Park]], [[Tralee]], County Kerry, Ireland.

==Name and activities==
Siamsa, pronounced "Shee-am-sa", comes from the [[Irish language]]. The word itself expresses mirth and music, Tíre means 'of the land'. At the heart of Siamsa Tíre lies a professional repertory company group drawn from the local community but trained in the unique Siamsa style and idiom over a period of ten years.{{advert inline|date=January 2023}} Full-time and community performers integrate and blend into a dedicated and talented team performing a repertoire of productions each summer.{{fact|date=January 2023}}{{advert inline|date=January 2023}}

Following the move to its custom built premises in 1991, the company undertook the role of operating an arts centre.{{fact|date=January 2023}} Since then, in addition to its remit as the National Folk Theatre, Siamsa Tíre also hosts a number of events throughout the year. Contemporary theatre, dance, classical music, comedy and literary events feature on a year-round programme, as well as a visual programme in a gallery spaces, which also explore the themes of folk culture.{{fact|date=January 2023}} Siamsa Tíre also hosts residencies by professional artists and regularly tours the work of the National Folk Theatre.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

In recent years,{{when?|date=January 2023}} Siamsa Tíre has become involved in exploring "new ways of interpreting folk culture, including a number of multidisciplinary projects incorporating contemporary dance, visual arts and site specific work".{{fact|date=January 2023}}

==History==
The origins of Siamsa Tire date to 1957 when a priest, Fr [[Pat Ahern (Siamsa Tíre)|Pat Ahern]], was sent to Kerry to establish a choir in St John's church in Tralee. A passion play, entitled "Golgotha", was later staged in 1963. The performing group, which developed from these initiatives, called themselves "Siamsóirí na Ríochta". Siamsóirí na Ríochta performed in a number of venues around Ireland (including the Abbey Theatre) and were invited to perform on a number of Raidio Telefís Éireann productions. In the late 1960s, the group staged a season of productions during the summer, becoming Siamsa Tíre's first Summer Season.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

A company, Siamsa Tíre Teo, was formed in 1974 and Pat Ahern was appointed artistic director, a position he held until 1998. Other key people, associated with Siamsa Tíre, included Martin Whelan. Whelan, who was initially involved in a voluntary capacity, later took on a more full-time role in the organisation. In 1974, he was appointed manager of Siamsa Tíre, a position he retained until his death in 2002.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

Whelan, along with Ahern and the architect, Patrick O’Sullivan were instrumental in the building of the current theatre and arts centre in Tralee, travelling as far afield as the United States to study other arts facilities.{{fact|date=January 2023}} The theatre and arts centre was officially opened in 1991. Prior to this, Siamsa Tíre had a number of temporary homes, including the Ashe Memorial Hall and the old Theatre Royal in Tralee.{{fact|date=January 2023}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.siamsatire.com Siamsa Tíre website]

{{Theatres in Ireland}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|52.2664|N|9.7086|W|type:landmark_region:IE|display=title}}

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[[Category:1974 establishments in Ireland]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Tralee]]
[[Category:Culture in Tralee]]
[[Category:Organisations based in Tralee]]
[[Category:Theatres in the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in County Kerry]]