Leitrim man wins €1,000 prize for Irish-language AI film at national competition

A Leitrim man has secured a top place in the AI video generation competition An Togra Scéalaí by Údarás na Gaeltachta.

The competition had two categories: category one was videos created exclusively with the sole use of AI tools, and category two was videos using AI tools as part of their creation.

Colm Farrell of Manorhamilton secured second place in the AI-only category of the video competition with his entry 'An Solas idir Dhá Shaol,' winning a prize of €1,000.

The video he created is set in rural Ireland at Christmas, and it follows Enya, a young home help, and her grandmother, Eibhlín. Enya reflects on what her grandmother often spoke of, that the veil between this world and the next grows thin during winter.

The video shows that Eibhlín carries a lasting love for her late husband, Séan. Through the deep bond between grandmother and granddaughter, Enya understands that those who have passed may still be close, watching over.

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The winner of first prize in the AI-only category was Oisín Ó hEartán from Corca Dhuibhne for his entry ‘An Laoch Óg’.

The competition, with a €6,000 prize fund, was initiated by Údarás na Gaeltachta as an opportunity to encourage discussion around this aspect of AI, presenting the tools, opportunities and challenges that it offers the Gaeltacht and the Irish-speaking community.

However, the competition met significant backlash from artists when it was launched, particularly from members of the art community and others who felt AI would not help the Irish language.

Director of Corporate Services at Údarás na Gaeltachta, Ruairí Ó’Néill, commented that it is “essential” to ensure the prominence and visibility of the Irish language in a new digital world.

“As things stand, there is very little available on digital platforms as Gaeilge compared to other languages. One of the best ways to deal with this gap is to empower the people to add to the amount of content available as Gaeilge,” he said.

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“This gives people the opportunity to create content as Gaeilge for their families and friends while also adding significantly to the digital environment of the Irish language. By partaking in the competition, Gaeltacht communities and the Irish language community had the opportunity to learn about the latest technologies available to create Irish-language video content,” Mr Ó Néill added.

Colm Farrell’s AI video for An Togra Scéalaí is available to watch on YouTube.