Galway Girl

Description

100% Silk Scarf

Created to commemorate and celebrate, Siobhán McKenna and Irish Theatre. Siobhán and the theatre reflected Ireland as a land and nation. This design also captures elements of Siobhán as a woman.

Siobhán’s name is synonymous with Irish theatre and thirty five years after her death, she still holds a special place in the hearts of people globally. She received accolades around the world including the Éire Society of Boston, Gold Medal for public service to the arts. Other recipients include, John F Kennedy and John Huston. The State of New York declared May 31st, 1987, as Siobhán McKenna Day for her lifetime of artist achievement and social activism. 

To see Siobhán perform was mesmerising and unforgettable. She was a master of her Craft. One of Ireland’s finest actors, Siobhán was also a humanitarian and activist. The first woman to be appointed to the Council of State in Ireland, Siobhán addressed the United Nations putting the spotlight on apartheid in South Africa. She lead marches to rally the abolishment of racial segregation. 

This unique design is created by Siobhán McKenna (designer, author) who is second cousin of Siobhán McKenna (actor – leading lady of the world stage)

To learn more about Siobhán McKenna’s life and contribution to Irish Arts and Culture please see our news stories.

To learn more about the symbolism in this design please read on

The Symbols on the Siobhán McKenna, Irish Theatre Scarves.

The design went through months of transformations and drawings in various mediums, which I then layered on top on each other for its final digitisation to be transferred to silk. Many elements of the scarf are obvious such as the theatre masks and the stage curtains, some are less so or have deeper meaning than face value.

Below you’ll find the symbolism behind each element.

Siobhán as Saint Joan in the play written by Bernard Shaw. It was said to be one of her greatest roles and won her critical acclaim world-wide 

Mise Éire. I am Ireland. 

Siobhán was often referred to as the embodiment of Ireland or Mother Ireland. To me, she was a daughter of Ireland. 

Mise Éire also symbolises Siobhán’s love of the Irish language and Siobhán as a nationalist. It is a poem written by Pádraig Pearse. 

Green/ Blue colour-way

The green of Irish fields but marbled with gem like tones. The blue of Saint Patrick’s blue again marbled with deeper purple hues. As with the red colour way, these colours were chosen to represent Ireland and Siobhán status and contribution to Irish Arts & Culture. 

The Cloak 

An animal like print, abstract emerging from the roof of the theatre to Siobhán’s face as she portrayed Saint Joan. The animal print represents a primordial connection to soil, foundation, Siobhán is borne from the theatre – they are one. 

The Theatre Masks

Siobhán with her booming voice and searching eyes and physical presence was an actor that captured audiences. Her tragedian roles are powerful and unforgettable. However, in her private life she was a practical joker, loved laughing and enjoyed life’s silliness. She moulded the character of Pegeen Mike, with her impish flirtation and loved playing alongside actor and comedian, Maureen Potter in Arsenic and Old Lace. 

The Celtic Knot 

Represents Ireland but here it also symbolises Siobhán’s great friendships. 

Horse

Free-spirit, wisdom, courage, determination. Though born in Belfast, and lived much of her adult life in Dublin, Siobhán identified as a Galway girl – Galway is where her heart lay, and where she is buried with her parents. The Connemara pony is one symbol of Galway. A pony that is hardy, survives the harsh environment of Connemara, County Galway. 

Butterflies

Siobhán was a social butterfly and loved meeting new people. She laughed a lot and always found the party – but mostly she started the party herself! It was something she was brought up with. The family home in Fort Eyre, Galway was a hub for neighbours, friends, students to gather, play traditional music and ‘have the craic’ (craic is a widely used word in Ireland, which means fun.) 

Seagulls

Siobhán connection to nature and her ability to soar. She loved her pink house by the sea and swam daily. She would have heard the sounds of the waves and the seagull cry.

The Dog

Siobhán’s dog, Rory. The dog symbolises loyalty. Siobhán was staunchly loyal not only to her friends but fellow actors, negotiating on their behalf and often helping them out financially when work was scarce. The loyalty of her fans watching her perform. The loyalty of her dog, Rory whom she adored. She’d even write postcards to him when she was away with work. All of this McKenna clan were animal lovers and Siobhán was no exception. 

The National Theatre’s of Ireland

An Taibhdhearc – the national Irish language theatre of Ireland. Located in the heart of Galway. As a girl Siobhán loved the Christmas shows there. As an undergraduate in Galway University, she was offered a playing salary, but her father would not let her accept it, saying it was a honour to support the Irish language.

The Abbey Theatre 

The National theatre of Ireland and where Siobhán was taken on despite arriving late, with cut knees and dirty hands after falling off her bike and a bad audition. It was here she caught the attention of Denis O’Dea (they married some years later). Siobhán performed numerous times in the Abbey throughout her career both as an actor, author and actor (Here are Ladies, All Joyce) and director (Peacock) 

The Playwright

George Bernard Shaw. Choosing just one playwright from the rich pool of Irish playwrights was difficult. However, Siobhán was in awe of Shaw and wrote to him to ask his permission to translate his Saint Joan into Irish. He replied saying he’d no idea why anyone would want to do that but go ahead. Shaw said that Joan took possession of his pen as he sat to write her story in the Eccles Hotel, Glengarriff, Co. Cork. The Irish version of Saint Joan was a resounding success. 

Siobhán first played the role in the Gate Theatre Dublin, and then in theatres around the world. If Shaw was guided by Joan of Arc in his writing, it seems Siobhán came into her own in playing the role. Shaw and McKenna were connected in some ethereal way to each other and Joan. It is commonly accepted that Siobhán is the Irish for Joan. However, the true translation of the name Siobhán is White Spirit. And in the Irish tradition of myth and the spirit world, this is where I leave you with your own conclusions and theory. 

Also available in red Siobhan McKenna Theatre Scarf in Red