Pól Penrose is a familiar face for fans of TG4’s long-running series Ros Na Rún. And off screen, he’s kept busy and loving his work with BRÓD na Gaeltachta.
Hi Pól, thank you for taking this interview. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself, please?
I grew up in Cloch Cheann Fhaola and got interested in acting from an early age through two incredible teachers I had when I was at school. They allowed us to explore our creativity and identity in a safe place and really listened to us as children. They instilled confidence in us and that allowed me to trust my instinct when performing, or when you are trying to embody a character. I will always thank them for that. You both know who you are.
What’s it like to be part of a long-running series like Ros Na Rún? Does it become like just another job?
It’s a real privilege to be a part of TG4’s long running series and I’m extremely lucky that I can work as an actor as gaeilge in a Gaeltacht. That is really very important to me. I have been part of the cast for around 6 seasons now and there is never a dull moment that is for sure. On and off screen. The scripts are always taking new twists that surprise us as much as the audience and it’s just a brilliant cast and crew to be working with every year.
Ros Na Rún (in which you play Colm) recently marked 2,000 episodes. It must be an intensive shooting schedule? Do you greet the end of season like a child greets the summer holidays?
The days can feel a lot longer than they are, let’s put it like that. We also film in the west of Ireland so trying to stop yourself shivering on a freezing December morning when you are pretending it’s June can get old pretty quick. Of course we all love a holiday and when you have had a long season it can be a lovely relief when you wrap up but you soon start to itch for it again.
Would you take the chance to act in another series or film abroad?
Well, I unfortunately only speak Gaelic agus Béarla so that would be a problem. If I didn’t have to speak then yeah I’m ready for booking all year round!
You also work as a producer and casting director – in the longer term do you see yourself in those roles more, or does being an actor also help with those jobs?
I enjoy working in a lot of different ways and I never know what I might be working on next so yeah, I can see myself always trying new challenges and learning new things.
The more experience and knowledge you have of all departments in this industry the better because you appreciate the hard work everyone puts into their jobs. The overall job is always so much more rewarding when you have an understanding of how everything operates.
You’re also behind BRÓD na Gaeltachta, now in its second year. Could you tell us how that came about originally?
A few of us came together last year and decided that it was time. We are all involved in the arts in some way and we are all queer or allies and wanted to celebrate here in the Gaeltacht and bring two minorities together, Gaelic & LGBTQIA+. Simultaneously and completely unknown to each other, Inishowen Pride were organising as well so it really galvanised us as a community and I think the entire country were aware of the significance of it.
It’s surely some kind of achievement that small rural Irish towns are now so open to such celebrations of difference. Does it feel that way to you, or is it harder work than it looks? Is there any resistance?
It’s a massive step forward and incredible progress for our community here where I have grown up, in a rural Gaeltacht, Cloch Cheann Fhaola in Falcarragh and I am so proud to be able to say of the community here. It was very emotional for a lot of people to see all the progress flags along the streets but that also comes with resistance and there will always be resistance. I choose not to give it any oxygen or amplify any of it because it only helps their hateful far right agenda that try to pull us back into the dark ages that Irish people know all about. I’d give a pretty good guess that the majority of civil society support human rights and that includes LGBTQIA+ rights.
What kinds of things can people expect at this year’s festival?
You can see the whole programme, it’s available at www.brodnagaeltachta.ie
Does being a native speaker of Irish (and its struggle to be heard) change a person’s attitude to other minorities? Is there actually something particularly poetic about BRÓD na Gaeltachta celebrating both things?
Yeah, it gives you a completely different perspective on everything. You name it and when you speak about it or talk about it in Gaelic it’s a much more queer and magical language, and it inspires your creativity and identity and it’s an important platform for Gaelic speaking artists who are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community and express their true selves.
Do you have any other major plans for the future – film, TV, wider BRÓD campaigns?
I hope that this summer’s Bród will be a success and that we get some new visitors to come and celebrate and once we get that over us ask me again!
If anyone else would like to take part in this interview, to raise a profile or an issue, or just for fun, please contact Paul at Dnthirddegree@gmail.com.
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