We are delighted to welcome Naming Cows Theatre Company into the performance space to develop their work over the coming weeks.
Naming Cows was born out of the meeting of Darragh Gilhooly, hailing from the Irish countryside, and Gwenaelle Gillet, a French cosmopolitan creative, through the Gaiety School of Acting’s Manifesto Programme. Their aim is to create out-of-this-world realities where the audience is transported into new but familiar waters. Employing strong visuals and atmospheric devices, Naming Cows disrupts the audience's seemingly calm lives, drawing them into a chaotic, electric new world.
The theatre company's previous work includes, most recently, the debut of 'The Anatomy of Burke and Hare' written by Darragh Gilhooly to a sold out run last May in the Dock. They have also produced two work-in-progress pieces as part of the Scene and Heard Festival — 'yellowing.' and 'un crocodile.'
Throughout the three week residency, the team will work on two new projects. The first project centres on the development of a new play, based off Irish Folklore and community. Set in Leitrim, the play will be written by Darragh Gilhooly. The second project will focus on the development and completion of "yellowing.", written and directed by Gwenaelle Gillet. Gwenaelle will workshop various new scenes with actors Darragh Gilhooly and Grace Keelin. This show is anticipated to complete production and premiere in 2026.
Darragh Gilhooly is a graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting Two Year Full Time Programme. Since graduating, his film and TV credits include AMC's Sanctuary (2024) playing the role of JAKE BOLT, Harry Wild (2025) playing the role of MATT GAFFNEY and Hill Sixteen Picture's Ann (2022) playing the role of RICKY. His theatre credits include AnseoAnois's Keeping Vigil (2025), Brian Warfield of The Wolfe Tones new muscial Celtic Exodus (2025), The Mill Theatre's Romeo and Juliet (2023), Abbey Theatre's Portia Coughlan (2022) and Naming Cows Theatre Company's The Anatomy of Burke and Hare (2025), yellowing. (2023) and Un Crocodile (2022).
Darragh is Co-Artistic Director of Naming Cows Theatre Company. In the company, Darragh takes on the role as producer, writer and actor - he appeared in all of the company’s productions. Darragh has received funding and support from both Leitrim County Council and Pavilion Studios to develop his writing and in particular his first play as a solo playwright: The Anatomy of Burke & Hare.
Gwenaelle Gillet is an actor and theatre-maker, graduate of the Gaiety School of Acting Two Year Full Time Training Programme. Since graduating, she has worked in theatre and film/TV. Credits include Amazon Prime’s Silver (Feature, 2023) in the role of FLORENCE and Onatti’s touring production of Parlez-Vous Francais? (UK Tour, 2023), amongst others. Gwenaelle is Co-Artistic Director of Naming Cows Theatre Company. Within the company, she acts as producer, writer, director and actor. She co-wrote and featured in the company’s first play Un crocodile (Smock Alley, 2022), wrote and directed yellowing (Smock Alley, 2024) and directed The Anatomy of Burke & Hare (The Dock, 2025).