Dance Bualadh Bos is an interactive dance performance created in collaboration with dance artists Ailish Claffey and Philippa Donnellan and older communities in County Kildare.
The project aimed to expand opportunities for the two dance artists and older people in care and community settings to imaginatively engage in dance, through a professionally guided collaborative process, leading to the creation and performance of a new professional dance piece inspired by the Irish word ‘bualadh bos’ – ‘to clap, applaud, strike’ – an upbeat feeling and action that lends itself to themes of connection, friendship and community.
Simon Fitzpatrick’s short film, with original music by Brian Keegan, has been created as a lasting record of the project, capturing the workshop process and final performances, with insights from the artists, participants and partners. The film provides a powerful testament to the joy and meaning that dance can bring into our lives.
Philippa Donnellan and Ailish Claffey were awarded the artsandhealth.ie Documentation Bursary Award 2022, funded by the HSE and the Arts Council, to capture Dance Bualadh Bos on film. The project was funded by Kildare County Council via the Creative Ireland programme, and Creative Places Athy Award.