Parthalán: A New Culture Night performance led by Iarla Ó Lionáird brings Tallaght’s ancient Mythology to Life

SoFFt Productions, NOISE Music and South Dublin County Arts Office present Parthalán, an ambitious new multidisciplinary performance created especially for Tallaght and Culture Night 2026. Led by acclaimed singer and composer Iarla Ó Lionáird, Parthalán will feature the world premiere of his new musical work and libretto, inspired by the Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of Invasions) and its account of Parthalán, one of Ireland’s earliest mythical settlers. Ian Nyquist and Gareth Quinn Redmond are collaborating with Ó Lionáird on the music.

The mythology has a particular connection to Tallaght, where legend tells us Parthalán and his people, among Ireland’s earliest mythical settlers, came to rest. Rather than retelling the myth, Parthalán uses it as the starting point for a new artistic exploration of place, memory, movement, belonging and transformation. 

Tallaght is a place of continual change, shaped by generations of people arriving, leaving, building communities and making the area their own. The work responds to that living sense of place, bringing an ancient story into conversation with contemporary Tallaght.

The performance features Iarla Ó Lionáird, Gareth Quinn Redmond, Ian Nyquist and Rosie Murphy, with a special musical introduction from Iarla Ó Lionáird, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Cormac McCarthy.

Iarla Ó Lionáird - Cormac McCarthy - Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh

For the event, the South Dublin County Council buildings will be completely transformed through lighting and projection design, creating a unique immersive setting for this new work. More than a performance, Parthalán is an invitation to rediscover Tallaght through story, sound and imagination. 

Speaking about the new collaboration, Natasha Duffy, Creative Producer at SoFFt Productions, said: “We’ve worked with Iarla and many of the artists involved in Parthalán for years, so we’re incredibly excited to move into this new phase of collaboration and create an entirely new work together for Culture Night, in partnership with South Dublin Arts Office. Parthalán is one of the most ancient figures in Irish mythology, but the ideas within the story, movement, arrival, place and belonging, feel very contemporary. Tallaght is a vibrant, constantly evolving place, shaped by generations of people and communities, and it feels like the perfect setting to bring this ancient story into the present through some of Ireland’s most exciting artists.”

Highlighting the connection between the project, its music and Tallaght, Gerry Horan, Creative Producer and Lead Partner at South Dublin County Arts Office, said: 

“At NOISE Music, we're particularly interested in how contemporary electronic and ambient composition can open up new ways of engaging with Traditional Irish Music and storytelling. Parthalán brings together artists working across disciplines to explore these connections, creating a unique cultural experience rooted in both tradition and innovation. The project also reflects our commitment to creating meaningful events that celebrate the communities we are part of and the spaces we share."

"What makes Parthalán especially exciting is its connection to Tallaght itself. The story places this community within the long oral history and mythology of Ireland, reminding us that Tallaght has been a place of cultural significance for thousands of years. Through music, sound and performance, audiences are invited to reconnect with the stories, language and heritage that have shaped this place, while experiencing them in a contemporary and accessible way.”

Looking ahead to the performance, Dublin-based composer, field recordist and sound designer Ian Nyquist said: “I’m looking forward to exploring building a unique aural experience as a mode of discovery for the audience.”

Reflecting on his connection with Irish mythology, Irish ambient musician, composer and sound designer Gareth Quinn Redmond said: “My interest in Irish mythology truly began after meeting the great painter Conor Campbell. His passion for the story of Cú Chulainn and Ferdiad lit a fire within me that eventually led to us working together on an album. As I wrote and recorded the music, Conor completed a triptych of paintings telling the story of Cú Chulainn and Ferdiad’s final battle. This album, titled Umcheol, was released in 2022 on WRWTFWW Records. Now, all these years later, when I received word about this project, it felt like an opportunity to delve once more into this world of reflecting stories through sound.”

Irish harpist and composer Rosie Murphy added: “Irish identity, history and mythology have been at the centre of my musical journey since I can remember, so getting to delve into this with these wonderful musicians is an extremely exciting project.

Part of the Parthalán Culture Night programme

Alongside the main performance, the wider Parthalán programme includes exciting work by Freshly Ground Theatre and Common Threads, an artist-led workshop and open rehearsal, extending the project across theatre, mentorship, collaboration and community practice throughout Culture Night in Tallaght. 

Freshly Ground Theatre are working with their young ensemble on a theatre piece-based project “How do we retell a myth?” around the Parthalán myth, taking place from 5-6pm. The ROOTS ensemble take on the origin story of Parthalán, a hero whose actions gave Tallaght its name. But myths are fickle things that shape shift over time. How can a group of eccentric actors handle it with the care that’s required without losing something of it, and themselves, in its translation? The Question of Parthalán is a performance devised by ROOTS Youth Theatre with support from Freshly Ground Theatre as part of Culture Night 2026.

Common Threads is a cross-border initiative bringing together thirteen emerging artists from Derry/Londonderry, Tallaght/Dublin and Enniscorthy/Co. Wexford to develop their professional arts practice through mentorship and collaboration. The artists first met through the Creative Ireland - Shared Island project To the Power of 3 in 2025 and have each been paired with an established arts professional for mentorship and guidance. As a dynamic collective, they will share moments showcasing their practice, connection and creativity on Culture Night 2026 at Parthalán Place in South County Dublin.

The Community Engagement Programme includes an artist led workshop and open rehearsal exploring Tallaght’s history, stories and sense of place through the myth of Parthalán. Led by artists Iarla Ó Lionáird, Ian Nyquist and Gareth Quinn Redmond, the programme provides a platform for local artists, young people and the wider community to engage with and hear from these renowned artists, offering an insight into their collaborative creative process.

Tickets for Parthalán are free, but advance booking is essential. Seated tickets are available on the night on a first-come, first-served basis, with standing tickets also available. To reserve your place, visit Eventbrite.

Proudly funded by South Dublin County Arts Office and Creative Ireland. Workshops are also supported by Creative Ireland.

Slán go fóill.