Múinteoir Gaelscoile – Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille
August 13, 2012
Rúnaí Scoile – Gaelscoil na Mí
August 13, 2012
Clonakilty Gaelscoil plans approved
August 10, 2012
A West Cork Gaelscoil will offer classes in a purpose-built school for the first time in 18 years following planning approval by An Bord Pleanála.
Staff at Gaelscoil Chloch na gCoillte (Clonakilty) have taught pupils in a variety of makeshift classroom locations including a disco, a former Church of Ireland teachers’ residence, a mobile home, a holiday home and 29 prefab buildings since its inception in 1994.
The Department of Education secured a four-acre site at Fernhill Road in the town purchased from Cork County Council f or ¤675,000 in 2007.
Planning for a 16-classroom school was granted by Clonakilty town council last April but local objectors appealed the decision on grounds of road safety, visibility and parking. The planning appeals board granted planning permission this week, 18 weeks after the town council’s decision.
www.irishtimes.com
Páistí dátheangacha níos fearr “ag réiteach fadhbanna”
August 10, 2012
Belfast’s Féile an Droichid Festival
August 10, 2012
For the fourth year in a row, Féile an Droichid is set to run from 23-26 August in Belfast with a jam-packed schedule of events prepared to suit every age group.
The festival will kick off on 23 August at 8 pm at ‘The Mac’ with a special concert featuring famous sean-nós singer, Iarla Ó Lionáird from Cúil Áodha, West Cork and traditional guitar hero, Steve Cooney from Melbourne Australia.
Over to ‘The Droichead’ at 7.45 pm on Friday 24 August, where a well-known pairing of musicians, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Breandán Ó Beaglaoich will be conjuring up a whirlwind of accordion and fiddle music. Caoimhín is no stranger to the festival as himself and Iarla Ó Lionáird made an appearance with the contemporary music group ‘The Glaoming’ for the main event last year.
On Saturday, 25th August at the same time and place, a fusion of bouzouki, concertina, uilleann pipes and keyboard will be performed by Dónal Lunny Pádraig Rynne, John McSherry and Graham Henderson. This is the first time for this group to play together although all performers are well known as solo musicians.
Among the other events taking place at the weekend will be a screening of two hugely influential Irish language films ‘Mise Éire’ and ‘Poitín’ at the QFT (Queens Film Theatre), an exhibition of records at Ulster Hall, intensive Irish / Scottish Gaelic courses, concertina and bouzouki workshops with Pádraig Rynne and Dónal Lunny, flute and fife classes and well as plenty of informal sessions throughout the festival.
A Graffiti Session and Movement Class for children will also run as part of the festival. Full details for all events will be available on www.androichead.com
Daonscoil na Mumhan 2012
August 10, 2012
Daonscoil na Mumhan will take place in An Rinn Ó gCuanach in Co. Waterford from 19thh -24th August 2012.
This year’s theme: Major differences between yesterday and today
Daonscoil na Mumhan is a week-long experience of lectures, fun and friendship through the Irish language. On Sunday, 19th August Minster of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley TD will officially open this year’s school.
Many classes are organised throughout the week classes include sean-nós singing classes which will be conducted by the talented sean-nós singer Anne Mulqueen.
Events include many interesting lectures, music and sean-nós sessions, céilí, hill walking, book launch, storytelling, day trips, poetry reading and workshop by the renowned poet Áine Uí Fhoghlú while Cuthbert Tura Arutura originally from Zimbabwe will conduct a sean-nós dancing workshop.
On Wednesday evening a talent competition titled ‘Comóradh an Dá Phádraig’ in memory of two great men Pádraig Ó Dálaigh agus Pádraig Ó hÍceadha who worked with Daonscoil na Mumhan for many years.
On Friday 24th August Edel Ní Chuirreáin CEO of Raidió na Gaeltachta will give a lecture titled RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta 1972-2012. The station is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary this year. For a full list of event visit : www.daonscoil.com
Further information is available from Annraoi de Paor :
Tel: 087 971 1091 / 01 288 0072
E-mail : annraoi.depaor@ucd.ie
Scrúdú Gaeilge á dhéanamh ag níos lú daltaí
August 10, 2012
Coláiste na bhFiann Fun Day
August 10, 2012
Coláiste na bhFiann will warmly welcome the public to a fun day taking place on Monday, 13th August in Co. Meath.
The day will be jam-packed with Irish language activities for all the family and will be an opportunity for the public to see Coláiste na bhFiann’s new headquarters in Droim Rí. The new youth centre is situated in the former Warrenstown Horticultural Centre and is surrounded by gardens, sports grounds and enough outdoor space to satisfy the most active of students that will come through the Coláiste na bhFiann doors in the future. The new centre will accommodate over 750 students this summer and hundreds more will attend other Coláiste na bhFiann courses in various locations around the country. The day will include entertainment from some of the 600 current students that will be in attendance. This will include music shows, dancing and drama. These performances will demonstrate the effectiveness of Coláiste na bhFiann’s objective of creating an environment in which students are comfortable and confident using the Irish language in social and informal settings. The Fun Day will give the public a taste of life as a Coláiste na bhFiann student and how easy it is to enjoy the language in everyday life. President of the GAA Liam Ó Néill will be there on the day to help celebrate Coláiste na bhFiann’s achievements over the last 45 years through their summer colleges and their weekly youth clubs run all over the country. The day will also include games and a BBQ, entertainment for kids and a céilí at the end of the day. The Lá Spraoi will begin at 4.00pm and continue until 8.00pm. For more information contact Cáit in Droim Rí on 01-8259342 or eolas@colaistenabhfiann.ie.
Áthas for principal and pupils as gaelscoil nua gets go-ahead
August 9, 2012
The principal of a Co Cork gaelscoil says she is delighted that An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for a new school, which she has been seeking for the past 18 years.
Carmel Nic Airt said that since Gaelscoil Chloch na gCoillte was founded in 1994, with 20 pupils and her as the sole teacher, it has been housed in various rented buildings around Clonakilty.
“This is a great and historic day for the pupils, parents, and staff of an gaelscoil,” she said after the announcement yesterday. “At last we can proceed with the building of a proper purpose-built school that will be suitable for the needs of the children and staff with all the facilities that they should have had years ago as a right.
“I want to pay tribute and say a sincere go raibh maith agat to the families who, through the many hard years, supported our school when we had far from ideal conditions for their children.”
The school has expanded since and now has almost 250 pupils and more than 20 staff.
“It is ironic today that there are young students enrolled in our school whose parents were here in the early years. “We also have one teacher on our staff who attended here as a pupil.”
She said there had been a number of false dawns, particularly around election times, when political candidates made various promises to build a new school. “We are now moving forward as we prepare to commence the building of An Gaelscoil Nua at the site at Fernhill Rd.”
“The taxpayers of the country will be relieved to know that their money will no longer to expended on rented private properties, thankful through we are to have had those over the years.”
The mayor of Clonakilty, Cllr Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, also welcomed the news, and paid tribute to Ms Nic Airt’s perseverance, “Seven years ago the Department of Education secured a site at Fernhill Rd, but it is only now, at long last, that the building is about to start,” he said.
www.examiner.ie
Loinneog Lúnasa promises a fun filled weekend
August 9, 2012
For the third year running, the Loinneog Lúnasa music and cultural festival will take place in Gaoth Dobhair from Aug 10th to the 12th, with a varied, quality programme of events to entertain both visitors and locals of all ages.
Internationally acclaimed trad artists Altan and Steve Cooney will headline evening concerts during the weekend festival, as will An Crann Óg, the young Gaoth Dobhair trad group that has been drawing fans around the country.
“This is the third year of the festival, and our ambition is to grow it gradually,” said a spokesperson for the organising committee. “We want to concentrate on quality events and activities which reflect the strong influence the area has on Irish music and culture, and I think it’s obvious from this year’s programme that we’re taking a huge step forward in that respect with internationally renowned acts, thanks to support from Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge and our local sponsors.”
The festival programme is filled with music and dance, workshops, family events and fun.
On Saturday, the Family Fun Day at Ionad Naomh Pádraig, Dore, starts at 12 noon, with nature walks starting from the same centre at 2pm. At the Crannóg in Derrybeg, there will be a food and crafts market starting at 11am on Saturday.
On Sunday there will be a Family Day organised by Cumann na gCurrach Ghaoth Dobhair at the pier in Magheragallon. The festivities kick off at 2pm and will include a currach exhibition, music, food and other fun. Selki Sailing will also be there to provide an open session for anyone interested in trying a variety of watersports.
But of course, the Gaeltacht parish of Gaoth Dobhair is particularly known for Irish music and culture, and the heart of the weekend festival is culture: music, dancing and the Irish language. On Friday morning there will be a traditional music and creative dance workshop for children in the Leabharlann Ghaoth Dobhair, starting from 11am to 12 noon. This workshop is free of charge with more details available from the leabharlann, 074 9560862.
Later, at 5pm on Friday, there is a poetry workshop in An Crannóg, with highly regarded Irish language poets, Máire Wren and Collette Ní Ghallchóir. The cost for the evening poetry workshop is €10 for adults and €5 for teenagers.
There are a number of top-class concerts over the weekend, kicking off in style on Friday at 8.30 with the local legends of Irish traditional music, Altan, taking the stage at Ionad Cois Locha, Dún Lúiche. Steve Cooney and Friends will perform at Ionad Cois Locha at 8.30pm on Saturday night. Both concerts are Tionscnamh Lúgh promotions.
Altan’s music has always been true to the roots from which it has grown, always injecting something new as they approach a set of tunes, or something beautiful when Mairead’s voice floats over slow air or a love song.
Australian-born guitarist, bassist, producer and didgeridoo player Steve Cooney is one of the most dynamic modern performers in traditional music. He’s also a fine composer, known mainly for the reel Skidoo which was originally recorded by Stockton’s Wing and since recorded by Sharon Shannon amongst others.
Also on both nights there will be céilí and set dancing in Teach Jack in Glassagh, while on Friday night in Teach Hiudaí Beag in Bunbeg, there will be a night of music with the Derry and Antrim Fiddlers Association, who have become regular visitors to the area.
Saturday begins with music workshops in the Crannóg in Derrybeg, delivered by two internationally renowned musicians, Gay McKeown, CEO of ‘Na Píobairí Uilleann’, on uilleann pipes and Steve Cooney on guitar. Workshops run from 10am to 2pm and cost €20.
There’s something for the dancers young and old at 2pm on Saturday. That’s when the Irish-speaking Tura Arutura, who came to Belfast from his home place of Zimbabwe, offers a workshop in hip hop and sean nós. Booking for the workshop through the Crannóg, 074 9532208 or cfgd@yahoo.ie. The workshop costs €5 and is supported by Ógras. There will also be céilí and set dancing, including workshops, all weekend in Teach Jack in Glassagh. More information on that available from 074-9531173.
Singers will want to be in Teach Hiudaí Beag’s at 4.30pm on Friday for “Ailleog Cheoil”, an open singing session that is offered free of charge.
Following on from his very well-attended lecture at last year’s festival, RTÉ’s music archivist, Ian Lee, will give a presentation about the Donegal heritage in the RTÉ archives entitled “Oidhreacht cheoil Dhún na nGall I gCartlann RTE ó na 40dí & 50dí”. Ian’s address is scheduled for 2pm on Saturday in the music room at Ionad Naomh Pádraig.
“Draíocht na Mara” is a seafood-themed night which happens at Ionad Naomh Pádraig with music, food and craic, and more music from the Derry and Antrim Fiddlers Association. The always popular evening starts at 8.30pm and admission is €15.
After the fun at the pier on Sunday evening, there will be songs and plenty of craic with “Na Sinanigans” in Teach Shein Óig in Derrybeg from 6pm. Then to finish off the weekend, there will be an evening of music and song in the world-famous home of Clannad and Enya, Teach Leo in Brinaleck, with the renowned local group of young trad musicians, An Crann Óg, and guests.
The full festival programme is available on www.loinneoglunasa.com and on Facebook.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
