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TG4 and the Creative Ireland Programme launch 'Samhlú' a new arts brand in solidarity with Irish artists

30.11.20

TG4 and The Creative Ireland Programme present

The Art of Imagining

Samhlú is a landmark cultural showcase to celebrate the artistic endeavours and creativity that have endured throughout Ireland despite a very challenging year. COVID-19 with its wide-ranging restrictions on public gatherings has had a significant impact on the arts, culture and entertainment worlds.
 

TG4 and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media’s Creative Ireland Programme welcome this opportunity to offer solidarity and support to Irish artists through this new cultural platform.
 

Minister Catherine Martin said “Samhlú! This wonderful call to re-imagine our world could not have come at a better time. In the depth of winter after a long tough year this magical programme will lighten our spirits. Led by some of the best-known names in Irish culture, Samhlú is a celebration of the all the good things that our artists bring to our world. On behalf of my Department I want to congratulate TG4 and the artists involved in the making of Samhlú. This wonderful programme is a tribute to the breadth of their imagination and creative ingenuity.”
 

Proinsias Ní Ghráinne, Commissioning Editor of Samhlú 2020 said “This celebration of ‘Samhlú’ bolsters a year of strong arts and culture programming for TG4. Community and creativity have always been at the heart of TG4’s output. People, creativity and wellbeing have never been more connected than during the last 9 months. We are delighted to partner with Creative Ireland to provide public access to creative endeavour and inventiveness across Ireland, projects that has been so life-affirming throughout a remarkable year for community and individuals.”
 

Samhlú has two elements which include a 90-minute programme airing on TG4 on the 15th December Samhlú 2020, and Samhlú Croí Cruthaitheach, a season of twelve commissioned short-form films which will air periodically over the course of 2021.
 
The Samhlú 2020 programme is set in the beautiful surrounds of Roundstone, Connemara, Co. Galway. Tommy Tiernan, taking on the role of The Wanderer will host the spectacle, bringing the audience on a joyous and magical journey of music, dance, and theatre.
 

World renowned composer and Roundstone resident Bill Whelan’s new original composition, ‘Samhlú’ will premiere in the broadcast. The broadcast will also feature performances from Shane Hennessey, Moxie, Slow Moving Clouds, Julie Feeney, Morgan Bullock, David Geaney, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Varo and Tonnta. Six short films which are legacy pieces will also feature interwoven into the performances of the evening.
 

Samhlú Croí Cruthaitheach is a selection of new abstract short-form documentary films featuring artists and creatives from all over Ireland. The stylised short films will explore the influences on the work done by creatives in Ireland. Through these films, the viewer will gain a new and detailed perspective on how the artist prepares and develops their work in an intimate stylised form.
 

Samhlú 2020 airs on TG4 on Tuesday the 15th December at 9:30pm and can be viewed worldwide on the TG4 player www.tg4.ie
 

Samhlú Croí Cruthaitheach will air from the 6th January 2021.
 

Join the conversation: #Samhlú
 
Photograph Credit: Maurice Gunning