Luail: Ireland’s New National Dance Company Sets Sail with Inaugural Season Programme
Luail, the recently established National Dance Company of Ireland, has unveiled its inaugural season programme. This comprehensive lineup encompasses a variety of performances, commissions, professional development opportunities, and special projects designed to enrich and engage audiences across the island of Ireland.
Highlights of the 2025 Programme
One of the most anticipated events is Chora, Luail’s debut performance set to open the 21st edition of Dublin Dance Festival at Bord Gáis Energy Theatre in May. This opening act will then embark on a tour, stopping at the National Opera House in Wexford, The Lyric Belfast, and Cork Opera House.
Another notable feature is the revival of Emma Martin’s Dancehall, which will tour seven venues across Ireland during October and November. visitors can also look forward to Reverb, a dance work for younger audiences choreographed by Sarah Golding, accompanied by the music of Composer and multi-instrumentalist Lisa Canny. Additionally, Moonlight Dream—another offering aimed at very young children and their families—is set to captivate young audiences.
Live music and dance will be a recurring feature, with partnerships forged with the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Crash Ensemble, Rossa Ó Snodaigh, Kíla, and Ursula Burns, among other musical ensembles.
Professional Development and Community Engagement
In addition to its performances, Luail is also committed to nurturing local talent. The company will host Moving in Collaboration in Limerick this summer, offering a professional development opportunity for dancers and musicians. This event will be led by Jonathan Burrows with composers Mel Mercier and Judith Ring.
Luail also introduces Dance 2 Connect Lab, a new initiative rolling out in Belfast and Limerick through a partnership with director and founder Matt Szczerek and Dance Ireland. These activities aim to provide a platform for dancers of all ages and backgrounds to connect and grow.
Mission and Vision
Luail’s mission is embodied by its commitment to “embody, embed, and empower dance on the island of Ireland, and to lead into a future that transforms how we make, know and experience it.” The company, backed by the Arts Council and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at UL, seeks to create transformative experiences that resonate with audiences.
Artistic Director Liz Roche’s Vision
“This programme presents works and events that explore shared spaces and what that means in our society and our world today,” said Liz Roche, Artistic Director of Luail. “These aren’t just physical spaces, but spaces where the complexities of memory, emotion, and landscape collide, spaces where artists and audiences meet, and where something transformative can emerge. We will be in theatres, on the streets, in fields and in town centres providing meeting places through dance where new and unexpected experiences can happen.”
“Over the next twelve months—through the boundless talents of our company of dancers, along with our collective of resident dance makers, musicians and artists—our productions and projects invite our audiences to consider and celebrate these shared spaces.”
Explore Further
For more information about Luail’s inaugural season programme, visit the Luail website. You can also follow the company on social media to stay up-to-date with all the latest developments and events.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on Luail’s programme and the role of dance in our communities. Whether you are a seasoned fan of dance or a newcomer, there is something for everyone in Luail’s diverse range of performances and initiatives. Join us in celebrating the vibrant arts scene in Ireland!
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