Clíona Ní Chiosáin
Clíona Ní Chiosain | |
---|---|
Born | 1990 Ireland |
Occupation(s) | Actor, radio host |
Years active | 2006–present |
Clíona Ní Chiosáin was the star of Aifric, a television show on channel TG4, in Ireland which ran for a total of 3 series from 2006 to 2008.[1] The show later featured on BBC Alba where it was dubbed in Scottish Gaelic.[2] Since that time Clíona Ní Chiosáin has either starred or featured in a number of other Irish-language productions and hosts a radio show.
Roles
In the show Aifric Clíona Ní Chiosáin starred as the 13- to 14-year-old protagonist named Aifric. The series revolves around Aifric's family of urban Irish speakers (Gaeilgeoirí) who have recently moved to a Gaeltacht area in the west of Ireland. Her family are quite eccentric and unorthodox. Aifric however is a sensible yet self-conscious character and who, in spite of her family, wishes to be normal. She is very conscious about doing anything that may be embarrassing. Given the nature of her family, avoiding embarrassment becomes an uphill struggle, with an entertaining outcome. The show also focuses on her first kiss and the associated difficulties.[3][4] In 2008 Clíona Ní Chiosáin was nominated for an Irish Film and Television Academy award for her role in Aifric.[5]
Other minor TV roles include the show Scúp, another TG4 production in which she made an appearance.[6] This show aired on TG4 and BBC Northern Ireland. She was also interviewed on the RTÉ2 show Two Tube.[7]
Clíona Ní Chiosáin and her sister also hosted "Speig Neanta", a radio show on Dublin's Irish-language station Raidio na Life, which runs every Saturday. A notable event from the show so far was a prank call made by RTÉ 2fm's Cormac Battle purporting to be the famous Irish musician Hozier.[8] During the interview "Hozier" uncharacteristically bragged about his achievements and attempted to ask Clíona Ní Chiosain out on a date. She eventually realised that it was a hoax but took it in good part.[9]
In theatre Clíona Ní Chiosáin appeared in the play "Réiltín" in the Abbey Theatre.[10] This was another Irish language play and is a modern production. It focuses on a young girl's attempt to win fame as a singer entirely through Irish language rock songs in both Ireland and Britain.[11] The production itself was subject to criticism, with an Irish Independent review commenting that the play had
"No clear plot and little direction as Cliona Ní Chiosain spins about to a backing track of aped Britpop, keening over her failed love affairs with music and with her man. Occasionally falling over and singing from behind a mop of hair it's 50 minutes of extreme karaoke."
The review notes however that Cliona Ní Chiosain "tries admirably" with most criticism directed against the plot. This play premiered in America and also featured as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival.[7][12]
Ní Chiosán also starred in Fíbín's production of the Irish play An Triail, a well-known drama by Máiréad Ní Ghráda. Ní Chiosain played the character of Máire, the young mother who is abandoned by 1960s Irish society.[13] This production received some acclaim, being described as a "creative and vibrant interpretation of Máiréad Ní Ghráda's play" by the Irish Theatre Magazine.[14]
Personal life
Ní Chiosáin was raised in an Irish-speaking family.[3] She attended an Irish-medium primary school in Leixlip, County Kildare named "Scoil Chearbhaill Uí Dhálaigh".[2] She is a notable Gaeilgeoir or Irish speaker from a non-traditional background. She has been an ambassador for TG4 and the Irish language.[15] She has spoken passionately about the matter of peer pressure on young people and has officially launched a website pertaining to under-age sex and teen pregnancy. She commented on the matter "This will be a lifeline for so many people. With more websites like this peer pressure can be eliminated."[16]
References
- ^ Mercier, Paul (10 July 2008). "Director Paul Mercier on 'Aifric'". Irish Film and Television Network. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ a b "AGALLAMH BEO Clíona Ní Chíosáin" [Beo Interview] (in Irish). beo.ie. January 2010. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Interview with Clíona Ní Chíosáin". Irish Independent. 25 October 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2014.
- ^ Lysaght, Ruth (15 March 2013). "Dramatising Identity on Irish Language Television: Aifric (TG4)" (PDF). Estudios Irlandeses-Electronic Journal of the Spanish Assoc. for Irish Studies (AEDEI) (8). University of Western Brittany: 43–52. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ http://www.rte.ie/about/en/how-rte-is-run/awards/2008/0115/292396-page1182337/
- ^ "Scúp - The Raid". BBC.co.uk. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ a b "Video Analysis for Réiltín: The First Irish Language Play Since 1..." Vidinfo. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ "Prank Hozier Call". Louise McSharry Show (Podcast). RTÉ 2fm. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ Heneghan, Conor (October 2014). "AUDIO: EOGHAN MCDERMOTT PRANKS CLÍONA NÍ CHÍOSAIN ON 2FM BY PRETENDING TO RING HOZIER LIVE ON AIR". Joe.ie. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ Ó Muirí, Pól (11 August 2014). "Two Irish-language productions to hit Dublin's stages". Irish Times. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ The Unshaved Mouse (27 September 2014). "Réiltín at Dublin Theatre Festival". meg.ie. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
- ^ http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/theatre-arts/review-a-thoughtful-trip-to-the-beguiling-human-zoo-30619740.html
- ^ "FÍBÍN'S STAGING OF "AN TRIAIL"". Fíbín. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
{{cite web}}
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{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Press Association (14 December 2009). "New website advises teens about sex". Irish Independent. Retrieved 28 April 2015.