About Ababú.
In 2001, when there was little performance in the Irish - medium sector, Ababú presented a series of weekly storytelling sessions for children between the ages of three and nine in the Cultúrlann and they were a great success. Shortly afterwards, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Foras na Gaeilge funded Ababú for a three - year project to produce a series of Irish language plays for children - which were very successful in the nursery and Irish - medium schools. Since then, Ababú has been providing a variety of opportunities for young children to get involved in the world of drama. Ababú also collaborates with a number of Irish - medium schools to produce whole - school plays. We have made some CDs for young children which are for sale in the shops.
Máire Andrews – Artistic Director
Máire has worked extensively in the Irish medium sector from 1979 through teaching, producing stories, scripts, songs and creating drama workshops, based on fairytales. She has successfully produced and directed whole school theatre for primary schools. She developed puppet shows through the ‘Maireoga’ in the eighties, ‘Na Móilíní’ in the nineties. She co-founded the theatre company Aisling Ghéar in 1996, managing and acting in its many productions. She has continued as an actor over the years. She was awarded a Certificate in Education from Coleraine University and an Honours degree in Education and Art from QUB and received a Masters recently on completion of her dissertation on the impact of fairytales on children today.
Faoileann Uí Dhuibhfinn - Creative Director
Faoileann worked as an artist and designer for Ababú from 2005. She designed and created many of the sets, props, and puppets for our productions. She completed a foundation course in Belfast College of Art and Design and was awarded a first class Honours in Irish and Literature from Ulster University and gained a certificate in Irish Language Early Years Immersion Education. She is included in series of CDs produced by Ababú, singing many of the lyrics that she composed for young children. She created the ‘Bopóga’ for Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich in 2004, which continues to entertain hundreds of children. She tours with, ‘Na Móilíní’, a puppet show for pre-school and nursery children. Faoileann is well-known for her imaginative art workshops in many schools and arts centres in the north.
Sue McGeown- Company Director
Sue helped to establish the second Irish-medium school, Gaelscoil na bhFál. She founded the first Irish-medium child-minding services in the Iveagh Centre, where children between the ages of six months and eleven years of ages are offered places before entering the Irish-medium nursery in Gaelscoil na bhFál and where the older children can enjoy after school activities. She set up an education centre to support parents of children who were attending Irish medium schools, where they could learn Irish and enjoy visiting lecturers talks on history and culture.
Maureen Murray – Company Director
Maureen has been pivotal in providing expert financial advice to Ababú since its inception. She is an independent financial advisor who has helped many community groups develop their management skills and financial knowledge. She is board member of other groups that promote the Irish language.
Séan Ó Fionnail-Advisor to Ababú
Séan is the vice principal of Gaelscoil na bhFál and a teacher with many years of experience. He co-founded the Belfast School Drama Festival in 2005. Séan has been producing plays in Gaelscoil for many years and has an interest in integrating the dramatic arts with the curriculum particularly in history and Irish.
Joseph Quinn Accountóir
Joe is a central figure in the community and has helped many small companies develop their financial skills. He has supported the Irish language for many years.
