Darach Ó Scolaí


Darach Ó Scolaí is an Irish novelist, playwright, publisher, and artist living in the County Galway Gaeltacht of Connemara. He was awarded the Oireachtas Prize for Literature in 2007 for his novel, An Cléireach.

Writing

His 2007 novel An Cléireach , won the 2007 Oireachtas Prize for Literature, and was published by Leabhar Breac, Inverin. As well as another novel and a number of modern retellings of old Irish tales, he has written and illustrated a number of children's books.

Stage and screen plays

Two of the author's plays have been produced for the stage, Coinneáil Orainn and An Braon Aníos, and two short screenplays have been filmed, Cosa Nite and An Leabhar. Coinneáil Orainn won the Walter Macken Prize in 2005 and a BBC Stewart Parker Award in 2006. Both Coinneáil Orainn and An Braon Aníos have been published, as well as a prose edition of Cosa Nite. Along with Ciarán Ó Cofaigh he founded the film and television production company Rosg, and was co-director of the company until 2005. In 2006 he founded the stage production company Salamandar, and directed his own play An Braon Aníos.

Publishing

In 1995 he co-founded the publishing house Leabhar Breac at Inverin with his brother, the typographer and designer Caomhán Ó Scolaí. Amongst other titles Leabhar Breac published the 2006 Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin award-winning novel Fontenoy by Liam Mac Cóil, and Seán Mac Mathúna's 2007 novel, Hula Hul.

Art symposium

In Inis Oirr, along with Val Ballance he co-founded the annual artists' symposium Ealaín ar Oileán, which he now directs. The symposium has been held annually in Áras Éanna, Inis Oírr, since 2004.

Published work

Na Comharthaí, Leabhar Breac 2014

Oileán an Órchiste, Leabhar Breac 2000

An Cléireach, Leabhar Breac 2007

An Braon Aníos, Leabhar Breac 2007

Coinneáil Orainn, Leabhar Breac 2005

An Ceithearnach Caolriabhach, Leabhar Breac 2000

Feis Tigh Chonáin, Leabhar Breac 1998

Staged work