A NEW creative space for artists has been dedicated to the late Donegal musician, Moya Brennan.
An Grianán Theatre in Letterkenny officially opened its new studio which provides a flexible space to support artistic development.
The studio can accommodate a wide range of activity from rehearsals to workshops, performances to education programmes.
At the official opening, it was announced that the studio would be named in honour of the late Moya Brennan, who was a generous supporter of An Grianán, gracing the stage almost every year.
Moya’s husband, Tim Jarvis, joined Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Charlie McConalogue, to cut the ribbon at the new studio.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Tim said Moya would have been “very proud” to see a new space devoted to supporting artists.
“She would have been so excited to see the new space developing here for live music, for performance and things like that,” he said.
“Naming it after Moya, in honour of her and to pay tribute to her, gives her a lasting legacy.
“It represents fantastic progress for the theatre that Moya has been involved in over the years and taken it to another level. And for that, she would have been very, very proud of what they’re doing here.”
The late Moya Brennan. Photo: Brian McDaid
A new composition of a specially commissioned musical work by composer and performer Laura Sheeran was premiered at the launch, something which Tim believes Moya would have also loved.
“She would have been very excited to have seen Laura because that music is right up her street,” he said.
“The layering, multi-vocals, textures and all of those things that Laura was doing would have appealed to her greatly.”
The launch of the studio marks the completion of a programme of refurbishment work which was funded by the Department of Culture, Communications & Sport, with match funding from Donegal County Council.
The improvements include a facelift to the front-of-house area and a newly designed box office.
Artists and creatives gathered for the official launch of the new studio, which has been widely welcomed as a vital space for the local arts scene.
Guests were welcomed by Theatre Director Patricia McBride, who spoke about the significance of the new studio and its potential to nurture creativity.
“The investment will refresh and update our building so that it remains vital and modern for all,” she said.
“In the last year, we’ve invested over €500,000 in the theatre with the installation of a full set of new auditorium seating and new carpet, as well as the refurbishment of the theatre’s front of house area and the construction of the new studio space.
“The refurbishment brings improvements for the enjoyment, comfort, and safety of all our audiences, artists, user groups, and staff.”
Chairman of the Board, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, praised the new studio as “much more than a venue”.
He said: “It will support outreach initiatives, youth theatre and producing theatre. It will champion new voices.”
Minister McConalogue acknowledged the importance of continued investment in cultural infrastructure and said the new studio was “really magnificent”.
“Letterkenny and Donegal are much richer places with An Grianán Theatre,” he added.
A ceremony will take place later in the year to officially name the Moya Brennan Studio.
The project was funded by the Department of Culture Communications and Sport with match funding from the Donegal County Council. A special thanks was given to the capital project team which was led by Mac Gabhann’s architects who designed and built the studio and new accessible box office, John Russell Construction, Sammon QS and Ipsum Engineering and all the other subcontractors and workers on the project.
The Moya Brennan Studio represents a significant investment in the future of the arts in Donegal and reinforces An Grianán Theatre’s commitment to providing high-quality facilities that support creativity, collaboration and lifelong engagement with the arts.