AS LONG as two decades ago, Carrie Crowley would tell younger actors who sought her advice to brush up on their Irish. They would remember more from their schooldays than they might realise, she would encourage them, while demand was high for people who could speak a cúpla focal.

Crowley’s advice turned out to be wise. Irish and international audiences are currently driving a new wave of interest in Irish-language cinema, buoyed by the success of An Cailín Ciúin, the beloved drama which went all the way to the Oscars.

That interest shows no signs of abating, with six movies in the Irish language debuting at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh as well as a full strand of Irish-language short films.

Among them is Froggie, the story of two brothers and their beloved homemade puppet, which co-stars Crowley and will have its world premiere in Galway. She also stars in the short film Below the Window which will screen at the festival.

Crowley, who has worked in Irish for much of her acting life, is particularly glad to see cinema’s new wave driving an interest in the language.