Donegal screenwriter Ailbhe Nic Giolla Bhrighde has co-written one of TG4’s most exciting launches of the year – Saol Ella.
Saol Ella, a six-part drama series for teenagers, is the first-ever Irish Sign Language (ISL) TV drama production.
The programme launched on Cúla4 (TG4’s children’s channel) on 29th February at 1pm and the full boxset is available to watch online now here.
Pictured above: Taylor McFadden (13) from Donegal with Actor Ciara Cox who plays Ella, at the launch of Saol Ella.
Saol Ella is a Danú Media Production for TG4 and Cúla4 (TG4’s children’s channel) and was written by Ailbhe Nic Giolla Bhrighde from Gaoth Dobhair and Gemma Breathnach from Spidéal.
Loughanure actor Seán Ó Baoill has a role in the programme as Ferdia.
Plus, Kilmacrennan teen Taylor Beth McFadden plays a helping hand in promoting the show on social media. Taylor Beth shares awareness of sign language through her Instagram page “Sign To Hear.”
Saol Ella tells a funny and engaging story about teenage life, bringing back summer memories for many Gaeilgeoirí who attended Coláistí Samhraidh to improve their Irish language skills.
It is estimated that there are approximately 5,000 people in the Irish deaf community whose first language is Irish Sign Language (ISL). In addition estimates show that there are over 5,000 deaf and hard of hearing young people in Irish primary and secondary schools and while the majority are not ISL users, many of these young people will identify with Saol Ella’s lead character Ella, thus motivating more young people with hearing challenges to learn ISL.
Saol Ella, its characters and Sign Language interpreters will bring significant awareness to the young Irish deaf community while also creating greater recognition amongst Ireland’s wider population.
As part of this pioneering TV drama project for ISL broadcast, Danú Media in its production worked exclusively with Irish Sign Language Interpreter and Gaeilgeoir, Romy O’ Callaghan, to create the ISL version of Saol Ella. Danú Media also engaged with the Irish Deaf Society and Chime with the aim of creating high quality TV drama which will be totally inclusive, entertaining and engaging for the deaf community.
