Established in 2010 by Breandán de Gallaí, Ériu Dance Company promotes Irish dance as a living, ever-evolving tradition. Exploring the traditional aesthetic, and exploiting the untapped poetic and dramatic possibilities of the genre, the company creates new work that educates, surprises and inspires.
In collaboration with a range of artistic disciplines, and drawing inspiration from complex social issues, Ériu challenges preconceptions of what Irish dance is, and can address. Ériu continually celebrates – and pushes the boundaries of – the Irish dance tradition, with a view to challenging and developing audiences for the dance form, nationally and internationally.
The company has produced several significant works, most notably NOĊTÚ, Rite of Spring, and Lïnger, Aon, Salómae and Walls Talk, which have been met with positive peer review. NOĊTÚ was nominated for 2 Drama Desk awards, “Outstanding Choreography” and “Unique Theatrical Event” (New York 2012). Rite of Spring opened the 2012 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann attracting 14,000 spectators. The work received a nomination for the coveted Allianz Business to Arts Awards (Dublin 2013). Lïnger was shortlisted for a Total Theatre and The Place Award for dance at the Edinburgh Fringe 2016.
The company have 2 works in development – The Village and Balor. Balor will be performed by the company’s newest initiative, a regional youth company Na Mic Ua gCorra, which is Donegal-based. The Village is due to première in early Autumn in 2021.
Ériu is an important platform for elite Irish dancers to develop professional dance careers centred on artistic excellence, rigour, and integrity.
