Asyou may remember, in 2020 we held a call out for artists to take time out on Inis Oirr, in partnership with the Áras Éanna Ionad Ealaíne and we received a huge response from artists near and far.

However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the residency could not take place when we had originally planned. So we are now delighted to announce that one year on, we are finally able to bring the selected artists to the island this October.

The artists selected for the month long artistic residency at the Áras Éanna Ionad Ealaíne Inis Oírr are Cikada Circus. Hurrah!!!
Cikada Circus, are an acrobatic hand to hand performance company. Led by Henrik Gard (originally of Sweden) and Ali Stanger (originally of UK) and now based between Dublin & Belfast, they participate and contribute hugely to the Irish circus and acrobatic scene, establishing Irelands first Acrobatic Convention Irish Acro which takes place every year during May, in Celbridge, Co. Kildare (except for this year, for reasons beyond the scope of two acrobats).

We are very excited to have the opportunity to work on the island of Inis Oirr and wish to continue our ongoing work of integrating and responding to the environmental surroundings as part of an acrobatic piece.

We’d like to use the Island’s landscape as a springboard for acrobatics; jumping off ledges, running up walls, etc. We have an idea of creating either a show or a walkabout that is entirely site specific where we only use the surroundings to create and complete our acrobatic tricks, as the third member of our company.Henrik Gard

Having visited the island in 2016 Henrik recognised the potential there for site specific acrobatic work.

Some of the specific locations on the island that we wish to explore are the long walls leading up to the Lighthouse, the rocks around the Plassey shipwreck and the Ferryport.Henrik Gard

Finally, we are hugely grateful to Aras Eanna Ionad Ealaine for opening their doors to street and circus artists.

This programme is presented with support from the Arts Council of Ireland.