Re-rooting Tallaght: Festival engages with Community and Rich History

“‘Re-rooting’ invites us to reimagine and approach something in a new way, whether through different techniques or in a different setting,” according to Lauren Kelly and Paul Regan, co-curators of Re-rooting Tallaght.

“As Tallaght continues to evolve, we, as curators, alongside our community of invited artists, find deep inspiration in both its history and its dynamic present,” they continue.

Re-rooting Tallaght engages with this place, its community, and rich history, while thoughtfully responding to its contemporary realities.

This year’s program showcases the work of artists such as Áine Phillips, Venus Patel, Fergus Byrne, Tuqa Sarraj, Wioletta Ratajczak, Preema Nazia Andaleeb, Deej Fabyc, and Alastair MacLennan.

These artists, ranging from established to emerging, bring a range of personal responses and individual artistic action to the festival.

Tallaght has long been a site of migration, and the selected artists have engaged with the diverse, multifaceted communities that have made Tallaght their home.

Their work centres on stories of belonging and displacement, enriched by the experiences of refugees who have recently joined this community.

The diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds add new layers of complexity and depth to Tallaght’s evolving cultural identity, making it a more vibrant and dynamic place.

The artists’ responses celebrate Tallaght’s ongoing transformation, ensuring that these new narratives are woven into the fabric of its cultural legacy.

It is with “great excitement” that Lauren and Paul present Re-rooting Tallaght, a festival where art and community come together, offering a space for contemplation, reflection, innovation, and shared experience.

This convergence of past, present, and future marks the enduring spirit of Tallaght and its people.

The event will be performed in Rua Red from September 25-28 as part of the Performance Art Festival; tickets are on sale now, so don’t miss out!