An Ancient Irish Legend...
…tells of a mysterious island which lies beyond the Western Sea, appearing from time to time in some unexpected place, startling mariners with glimpses of its emerald shores through parted shrouds of mist and cloud. Its Gaelic name is Tir-na-nOg, ~ “The Land of the Ever Young”, ~ where Angus Og, the perennially youthful God of Love, dreams the dream that lights the lives of us all. Sounds a bit like Bowen.
A Place to Discover & Express
The Tir-na-nOg Theatre School offers an intensive and unique experience in the Theatre Arts, encouraging individual development of creative expression while nurturing cooperation and a sense of group accomplishment. The discipline of theatre, integrating as it does separate art forms into a single focus of activity, offers an effective vehicle for education in its most basic sense (from the Latin root ‘educare’: to lead forth). The Purpose of the School is to draw out the individual abilities of each student and, in an environment both supportive and exciting, to bring these skills to the creative adventure of self-discovery. It is to this adventure that the Tir-na-nOg Theatre School is committed.
Rooted in Community Since 1988
The Tir-na-nOg Theatre School was established in 1988 in response to the effervescent enthusiasm, imagination and spirit of Bowen Island youngsters. The School provides year-round courses in Theatre Arts education for young people, with a Laban-based approach to classical stage training. Its annual Youth Festival of Plays ~ a month long celebration featuring the work of students in performance, ranging from Shakespeare and the Classics to original works and adaptations ~ is presented both to the community and local schools. The annual Yuletide Story Feast, Playwright Challenge, Students as Volunteers Initiative (S.A.V.I.) and Tir-na-nOg’s Repertory Company offer further opportunities for experience and self-discovery through adventures in the Theatre Arts.
Learning Together
Leap ~ Imagine ~ Flourish ~ Empathize
- All classwork is centred on the needs and the qualities of each specific group.
- Some work is required outside of class with a time commitment appropriate to the age level.
- For maximum benefit, both for the individual and the group, regular attendance is required.
Our emphasis is on group awareness and co-operative action ~ not single stars, but galaxies, brightly shining.
Our History
Those who know Jack and Julie Headley have witnessed the magic within them—and the magic they have created for others. As the founders of Tir-na-nOg Theatre School, they have spent nearly 40 years enriching the lives of young people through the theatre arts, nurturing creativity, collaboration, confidence, and a deep sense of humanity. Their work has always been grounded in compassion, integrity, and an extraordinary level of dedication.
In the early years, Tir-na-nOg was something of a travelling theatre—classes and performances took place wherever space could be found across Bowen Island: in barns, community halls, a big top tent, even an old brewery. But Jack and Julie held a bigger vision—an affordable, purpose-built theatre space where young people could continue to learn, create, and belong for generations to come. That vision became a reality in 2004 with the creation of the Tir-na-nOg Theatre on Rivendell Drive, a lasting home for the community they had already begun to build.
Over the decades, Jack and Julie have given selflessly to sustain this vision—often putting the needs of the school and its students before their own. Through their passion and perseverance, Tir-na-nOg has become a place where generations of young people have discovered their voice, their confidence, and their creativity—carrying those experiences with them into their lives beyond the stage. Their legacy lives on in every student who has passed through Tir-na-nOg’s doors, and continues to shape the spirit of the school today.
As a new chapter begins, they are now in the early stages of passing the torch—generously sharing their wisdom, mentoring a new program coordinator, and helping guide the transition to a renewed governing body. Even in this moment of change, their presence and care continue to shape the future of Tir-na-nOg Theatre School.
With deep gratitude, we honour Jack and Julie for the extraordinary foundation they have built, and for the care with which they are guiding Tir-na-nOg into its next chapter. Their legacy continues to live on through the community they have nurtured.