Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir stars to shine in Mullingar

The shining stars of Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir in Derry’s Brandywell are on their way to County Westmeath with their award-winning play ‘Dr Who and the Victorians’.

The talented young thespians have won through to the All Ireland final of the Schools’ Drama Competition, which is being held in Mullingar Arts’ Centre on Wednesday (April 26).

When Derry Now went to interview them, class teacher Alicia O’Kane, and her Primary Seven students were still on cloud nine following their success in the Ulster final of the competition in  Letterkenny’s An Grianán Theatre. 

Backstage at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin with pupils from Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir before their performance.

Ms O’Kane explained how the winning play had come about.

She said: “Last term in school, we were learning about inventions and the Victorian Age.

“I had come across a small script online about Dr Who travelling back in time and meeting people from the Victorian era, so I adapted it,” she added.

Members of the cast of award-winning drama 'Dochtuir Ce agus Na Victeoiriagh'.

“I translated it into Irish and I added four more scenes.”

“So, away we went to Letterkenny and the children performed their play and they were fantastic.

“The results were not going to be announced until the following evening, live on Facebook at 6.00pm, so as a wee treat we went to Arena 7 and had a game of bowls and a bite to eat. We had a great day. That was Tuesday.

Pupils from Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir before going on stage in Cultúrlann Uí Chanaín.

“On the Wednesday evening then, we were all glued to our computer screens in anticipation. There were people in An Cultúrlann in Club Óig, there were people at home, mammys, daddys, grannies, everybody was online, trying to hear the results. 

“So, Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir came first in our category for the Large Primary Schools in Ulster. We also got Best Production  in New Dramas.

“Then it was announced that we had got through to Mullingar.

“As you can imagine, there was a lot of squealing and shouting and excitement all around Derry.”

Ms O’Kane revealed everyone was heading down the country on Wednesday morning.

“We are on stage at ten past three and then we will make our way to the hotel because we are having an overnight stay.

“The craic will be ninety. We are so, so excited.

“We have also organised some activities for the following day before we come home to Derry, at an outdoor pursuits activity centre. 

“There is no big announcement regarding results because the Drama Competition continues until the following week.

“We will find out how we have done when the results are posted online. 

“We couldn’t believe it when we found out we had won in An Grianán. It was amazing and there was not an awful lot of work done the next day in school. Everyone was as high as kites, myself included,” smiled Ms O’Kane. 

Liam Neeson wishing Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir good luck in Mullingar.

Because of the expense involved in the Mullingar trip, Ms O’Kane had a meeting with the Primary Seven parents to discuss fundraising.

“So, we started fundraising before Easter. We had a raffle and there were so many donations from families, we had 22 prizes, which raised £750. 

“Over the Easter holidays the Primary Seven children were asked to collect sponsorship for a readathon. I know parents have been busy too trying to get sponsorship from local businesses.

James McClean wishing Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir good luck in Mullingar.

“Between all the fundraising, the children will be able to go to Mullingar and have a great time,” said Ms O’Kane.

Primary Seven student, Saoirse Nic Pháidín, who plays Helena, one of Queen Victoria’s daughters, in the prize–winning drama, said being in the play was “great fun”.

“When we practise it, it is really fun to do as well,” said Saoirse.

And she added, “The first time we went on stage to perform it, I was really, really nervous, but when we got to the Ulster final I was a bit less nervous. 

“When we got the results and found out we were through to the All Ireland final I was jumping around the house. 

“I can’t wait now to go to Mullingar. I am really looking forward to it.

“I have loved having a part in the play. It has been a lot of fun,” said Saoirse, who also took part in the céilí dancing scene in ‘Dr Who and the Victorians’.

Finn Carlin, who plays Duke Edward, Queen Victoria’s father, also took part in the céilí dancing scene.

Gaelscoil Éadain Mhoir teacher Alicia O'Kane speaking before the pupils' performance.

Finn said: “Mainly though my part is a conversation with Queen Victoria’s mother   trying to decide what we will call the new baby. I think she should be called Edward but her mother disagrees and she is called Victoria Alexandrina.

“I was buzzing and I was so happy when we won through to Letterkenny and we were able to do the play again. Now we are through to Mullingar and we are doing it again and staying over, I am very excited,” said Finn.

He and Saoirse agreed they had both enjoyed Primary Seven.

As part of Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir’s fundraising drive they performed ‘Dr Who and the Victorians’ in Derry’s Cultúrlann on Wednesday evening.

“Whenever the children performed the play, I asked them to sit down,” said Ms O’Kane.

Daniel O'Donnell wishing Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir good luck in Mullingar.

Explaining why, she said: “A wee while back, I had the idea of getting local people to wish the children good luck in Mullingar in wee video messages.

“It started off as a small idea, so we got Shauna McAirfryer, Micky Doherty, George Hutton. 

Pupils from Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir backstage.

“From that, it kind of grew. We got Liam Ó Maonaí from Hot House flowers and Brian Kennedy.

Dr Who and the Victorians off to Letterkenny

Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir through to Ulster final of schools' drama festival

“Then I took to Instagram and privately messaged a lot of people. Well, didn’t we get Minnie Driver, Lisa McGee and Liam Neeson to send a message. 

“We also got shout outs from the local GAA clubs and Derry City Football Club and Damian McGinty, fresh from Dancing With the Stars. We also got parents and grandparents to record good luck messages,” smiled Alica. 

Derry News wishes Gaelscoil Éadain Mhóir ‘Ádh mór oraibh’ in Mullingar and safe home.