Civic reception for Downings playwright Francie Cullen

Downings playwright and director Francie Cullen will be honoured with a civic reception from Donegal County Council.

Councillors of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District agreed at their May meeting to give formal recognition to Mr Cullen’s two decades of work promoting the Irish language and culture.

The motion was proposed by Fianna Fail Councillor Donal Coyle, who listed Mr Cullen’s many achievements to the local authority.

Mr Cullen wrote his first Irish drama for the people of the Rosguill Gaeltacht in 2003. A group of locals were assembled to perform the play and they became known as the Aisteiri Mhiobhnaigh. The group became an award-winning troupe with success at An Fhéile Náisiúnta under the direction of Francie.

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Since 2003, Mr Cullen wrote and directed 14 plays which were performed not only at An Fhéile Náisiúnta but in Dublin, Belfast, Castlebar and Glasgow.

He also wrote dramas for children and, at present, he is working on six new dramas based on stories told by his mother which he hopes to have published soon.

“Over the years Francie won numerous writing awards which shows the standards he achieved in writing drama,” Councillor Coyle said.

“I believe Francie deserves the recognition that I am asking for in this motion, that he be granted civic reception to show how dedicated he is, and the hard work he did over 20 years to help promote and preserve the Irish language and culture.”

The motion was agreed upon today and Donegal County Council will now make necessary arrangements with the Mayor to organise the event.