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The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, today (Friday) sent her congratulations to Oona Doherty, on her success in winning the dance category at Total Theatre Awards at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Oona Doherty presented five performances of her dance work Hope Hunt & the Ascension into Lazarus at Edinburgh's Dance Base as part of the Culture Ireland Showcase programme.

Minister Humphreys said:

“It is an amazing achievement for an Irish artist to attain this award given the competition with so many world performers presenting at the Edinburgh Festivals. The award is a global recognition for the strength of Oona Doherty's talents and will generate further opportunities worldwide for her. I congratulate Oona and wish her continuing success.”

Through its Showcase programme, Culture Ireland has been supporting Irish artists at Edinburgh since 2008 to reach new audiences and promoters to gain touring contracts for Irish work. The Showcase programme has consistently attracted sell-out audiences and awards during the Festival season. The Culture Ireland annual networking event in Edinburgh again this year attracted a strong group of promoters/buyers from around the world which is key to advancing international careers and generating jobs for Irish artists.

Editor’s Notes:

Culture Ireland is supporting a range of work across three major Edinburgh Festivals in 2017 – the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe:

At the Edinburgh International Festival, under the direction of Irishman Fergus Linehan, Michael Colgan directed a production of Krapp’s Last Tape with actor Barry McGovern.

At its Charlotte Square Gardens venue, the Edinburgh International Book Festival featured an extensive programme of Irish writers in readings and panel discussions.

During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Culture Ireland has selected six plays and two dance shows to showcase. Many of these feature key partnerships with Edinburgh venues including Summerhall, the Assembly Rooms and Dance Base. Culture Ireland has developed these relationships with global promoters over many years and it is critical for artists in such a competitive environment that they are in well recognised and promoted venues if they are to be well promoted and reviewed.

Full information on all the productions being supported by Culture Ireland is available here: http://www.cultureireland.ie/downloads/culture-ireland-edinburgh.pdf