New song collection for children to be launched this weekend
November 2, 2012
Dominic Mac Giolla Bhríde of Gaoth Dobhair, sean-nós singer and 2009 winner of the Corn Uí Riada prize for sean-nós, has put his own take on some of the most well-loved traditional songs in Irish for children, with the help of dozens of children from the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Báidín Fheidhlimidh, Songs and Poems for Children, the new collection of music and poetry, commissioned by Ionad Oideachais Ghort an Choirce, will be launched this weekend at Oireachtas na Gaeilge in Letterkenny.
Brian O’Donnell, the singer and chef, will launch the book at Oireachtas na Gaeilge at 6:30 pm, Saturday, November 3rd, in Knockalla Suite in Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny. The launch will be part of the Club na Féile na nÓg, which will begin at 5pm. As part of the launch, the children who took part in the project will sing and recite poems from the collection in a special concert.
“As teacher and parent, it’s been a vision of mine for years to have such a collection readily available and I’m now delighted to have these popular traditional songs and poems together in this fantastic book and CD,” said Bernadette Ní Dhuibhir of Ionad Oideachais Ghort an Choirce. “It will be a useful resource for teachers and parents throughout the country, which will help them pass on these songs and poems to the next generation.’
Well-known musicians Dónall O’Connor, Séamas O’Kane and Cathy Potter play as guests on the CD. But the children are the real stars on these recordings and they shine in such songs as A Nóra Bheag, Tá mo Chleamhnas á Dhéanamh; A stór, a Stór, a Ghrá; Och, Och, Mo Mhadadh Beag; Teidí Beag Álainn, Bhí Bríd ag Siúl sa Ghairdín Lá. In all, 58 children from the ages of 4 to 10, from 12 different Gaeltacht primary schools, took part in the recordings.
The book also contains a second CD of instrumental versions of the songs, allowing everyone to sing along with the music, karaoke-style, in school, at home or in the car. Dara McGee and Deirdre Brennan made the artwork for the book. The book will be available in book shops from early November.
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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
INTO task force seeks meeting with minister on small schools
June 29, 2012
Donegal teachers have contributed to an Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO) task force report that seeks to protect two-, three- and four-teacher schools from cuts that will hit small rural schools particularly hard.
Michael Weed, a teacher at Meenagowan National School in Lettermacaward, and a member of the INTO Central Executive Committee for Donegal and Leitrim said the task force recommendations look to protect Gaeltacht, minority-faith and other smaller schools.
“We’re not looking for a total reversal of schedules, but we’re saying staffing schedules should not be the only criteria by which a school loses a teacher,” said Mr. Weed, who also served on the task force.
He said the INTO will contact the Department of Education and Skills to seek a meeting with Minister Ruairi Quinn, TD, to discuss the recommendations.
The task force presented their 10 recommendations to 700 delegates at a special INTO Congress on Saturday, June 23rd, in the Aviva in Dublin. The task force has been meeting on the matter since Easter.
The report comes in response to government proposals to increase the number of pupils a national school must enrol to maintain current staffing levels. The INTO recommendations seek to prevent changes in the staffing schedule being implemented in schools with three or four teachers.
In addition, the INTO believes that a minimum enrolment should not on its own determine whether a school appoints or retains a second teacher. Among the other factors the INTO believe should be considered are: geographical remoteness, distance from other schools of the same ethos, special consideration for schools serving Gaeltacht communities and the fabric of the school building.
Delegates to the special INTO Congress, in discussions that lasted more than three hours, also discussed possible arrangements for incentivised voluntary amalgamations, shared services between smaller schools and the potential engagement with the department in the pursuit of the staffing objectives.
This is an issue affecting small schools across the country, not solely in Donegal. Mr. Weed said one of the delegates was the principal of a four-teacher school in Dublin, indicating that even urban areas are home to small schools.
“There aren’t many, but there are some,” he said. Still, the task force member said Donegal is particularly hard hit.
“We’re not putting it out as PR or propaganda,” Mr. Weed said. “Donegal is going to be badly hit.” The enrolment proposals increase each year for three years, so the impact on small schools will continue to be felt.
“Any time a family leaves or emigrates from a small school or rural community. The numbers will drop again,” he said www.donegaldemocrat.ie
Ó Domhnaill condemns axing of Gaeltacht Scholarships
June 26, 2012
The Government’s decision to axe Gaeltacht and Irish Language Scholarships is a disgrace and will damage efforts to promote our national language, according to Donegal Fianna Fáil Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill.
Senator Ó Domhnaill raised a motion in Seanad Éireann this week calling on the Government to reverse these damaging cuts, announced in Budget 2012 and to reinstate the DEIS status of Pobal Scoil Gaoth Dobhair and PCC Falcarragh. He said: “I consider these cuts an attack on the Irish language,” and said it would be a disgrace to remove them on the eve of the 100th Anniversary of the Easter Rising.”
He noted that students at Pobal Scoil Gaoth Dobhair and PCC Falcarragh will no longer be eligible to apply as they are no longer DEIS designated.
“It is incredible to think that almost all the primary schools feeding into both of these secondary schools have DEIS status but this is not retained at secondary level. There appears to be no consistency in supports here,” he concluded.
www.donegaldemocrat.ie
Major announcements for Irish language
May 1, 2012
Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D., has announced two significant initiatives under the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
“The Family Language Support Programme and the language planning process in the Gaeltacht involve a new approach that will make a considerable difference to the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy on the ground,” the Minister of State said at the launch in Galway.
The aim of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s Family Language Support Programme is to strengthen the Irish language as the household and community language in the Gaeltacht in accordance with the 20-Year Strategy. Under this programme, the Department intends to undertake 12 specific measures to support Gaeltacht families who are raising their children through Irish or who wish to raise their children through Irish.
The Minister of State announced that the Department has agreed with the co-operation of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to circulate an information leaflet, regarding the advantages of raising children through Irish, to expectant mothers and mothers of newborn babies. This awareness campaign will be initiated through the maternity services operating through the HSE in Galway city, Letterkenny and Castlebar. It is also intended to broaden this campaign to maternity services which serve other Gaeltacht areas.
In addition to the awareness campaign, the Minister of State announced the following new measures which will be implemented in conjunction with key stakeholders under the Family Language Support Programme:
* The Department’s Summer Camps Scheme will be enhanced to focus separately on 3 to 6 year olds and on 7 to 14 year olds (as opposed to the current 4 to 7 year old age group);
* Special training courses will be held for Gaeltacht teenagers between 15 and 17 years old who speak fluent Irish to enable them to work as assistants in the Irish language summer colleges;
* Community-based Gaeltacht committees/organisations will be assisted in organising suitable activities, e.g. parent and toddler/child groups;
* The Department’s Language Assistants Scheme will be developed in order to better serve children in Gaeltacht schools with regard to enrichment or acquisition of the Irish language; and
* A portal website for the Irish language will be developed to provide easy access to the public to Irish-language materials and resources. As part of this portal website, content will be developed online which will assist parents raising their children through Irish.
Language Planning Process
The Minister of State announced that the language planning process in the Gaeltacht is to begin. “I am delighted to get the language planning process in the Gaeltacht underway today. Under the Gaeltacht Bill 2012 which is currently being drafted, the Gaeltacht will be given a new definition based on language criteria as opposed to geographical areas, as is currently the case. In accordance with the 20-Year Strategy, a language plan will be developed at community level in all Gaeltacht areas,” the Minister of State said.
Under the language planning process, the Gaeltacht will be delineated into 19 distinct language planning areas. Each one of these areas will be required to prepare a language plan in due course. In order to implement a comprehensive and systematic language planning process in the Gaeltacht, the Minister of State indicated that he has invited 6 language planning areas to begin this process immediately.
The Minister of State said: “The language planning process is an opportunity for Gaeltacht communities. I expect the Department, the Údarás and the community-based organisations to work together to deliver this process.”
Language Planning Areas in the Gaeltacht
Under the language planning process, the intention is to delineate the Gaeltacht into 19 distinct language planning areas of which 6 areas including Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire, Loch an Iúir, Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, Toraigh, An Fál Carrach, Machaire Rabhartaigh have been invited to start this process immediately.
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Donegal shines in national literary schools awards ‘as Gaeilge’
February 17, 2012
Tory Island has always being renowned for its rich storytelling tradition and for the gifted and skilled storytellers it produced.
If the results of a recent national literature competition for secondary schools are anything to go by, then it seems that a younger generation of Tory islanders have inherited the older generation’s mastery of storytelling. There are only seven pupils in the islands school, yet three of these students managed to take the top awards in a national Irish Language literature competition sponsored by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Sixteen year old Lauren Ní Bhaoill won the overall national prize for her short story ‘Coimeadí Uimhir a hocht’, fourth year Ciara Ní Dhubhgháin won the Eibhlín Ní Cháimhsí Memorial Award for the best entry from Donegal for her short stóry ‘Deich ndóigh le múinteoir a mharú’ (Ten Ways to Kill your Teacher), while Áine Máire Nic Ruairí won the best essay in the 1618 year old age group for her essay, ‘Ag iascaireacht i dToraigh (Fishing in Tory)’.
The poet Aifric MacAodha, who judged the competition, said the entries of the Tory Island pupils “exhibit masterful storytelling abilities and the stories themselves are rich and imaginative, possessing both poignancy and power”. Not to be outdone by their Donegal compatriots, pupils from Pobal Scoil Gaoth Dobhair and Pobalscoil Chloich Cheann Fhaola in Falcarragh also swooped a number of the national awards They took seven national awards in total between them, while twelve other pupils from secondary schools in Donegal received special recognition.
An award ceremony was held in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta, Gaoth Dóbhair this week where the lucky recipients received their prizes. Speaking at the ceremony, Micheál MacAoidh, Arts officer for the Donegal Gaeltacht, praised the pupils for the high standard of the entries and gave particular praise to the teachers “who were the ones who inspired and encouraged the pupils to write, and without whom there would no competition”. Mr MacAoidh said they “would ensure that the strong, rich and vibrant Irish language literary tradition in Donegal would continue to blossom”. He gave particular praise to Noel Ó Gallachóir, principal of Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair and his staff, Máire Chlár Nic Mathúna, principal of Pobalscoil Cholmcille on Tory island, and to Karen Ní Fhrighíl and Carmel Curran, the Irish teachers in Pobalscoil Chloch Cheann Fhaola in Falcarragh. These teachers, he said, “put in trojan work and continually inspire and encourage their pupils to produce writing of imagination and strength”.
DONEGAL DEMOCRAT
Campaigners to lobby Fine Gael
January 28, 2011
Irish language campaigners from Donegal and around the country will lobby Fine Gael politicians in coming weeks to oppose the party’s proposal to drop Irish from Leaving Certificate requirements.
They are also calling on the public to raise the issue with canvassers. A meeting on Friday organised by Guth na Gaeltachta and Conradh na Gaeilge drew about 50 people to Galway to discuss the proposal and its implications. Éamonn Mac Niallais, spokesperson for Guth na Gaeltachta, a representative of Conradh na Gaeilge and a representative of the Union of Students in Ireland met last week with Eamon Gilmore, TD. They received the Labour leader’s assurances that if his party were in government after the general election, they would support the retention of the Irish requirement for the Leaving Cert and would “stand their ground against Fine Gael,” Mr. Mac Niallais said. “We didn’t expect them to be that clear-cut about it but we were very, very encouraged,” Mr. Mac Niallais said.
Dinny McGinley, Fine Gael TD for Donegal South-West and a native Irish speaker, could not be reached for comment yesterday by the time of going to press. “Basically the only party now advocating this position is Fine Gael, so really it leaves us to put pressure on Fine Gael between now and the election,” Mr. Mac Niallais said. He said the Irish-language organisations that attended Friday’s meeting, including colleges, universities and other groups, are also requesting a meeting with the Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, TD.
“Irish is our national language. No other country in the world would have that as an optional subject,” said Gráinne Mhic Gheidigh, Sinn Féin member of Údarás na Gaeltachta, who attended Friday’s meeting. Mrs. Mhic Gheidigh, herself a native speaker, said that major reforms were needed in the teaching of Irish. “But I believe the way to go is to look at it positively and to provide investment and support,” she said. Mrs. Mhic Gheidigh said that making Irish an optional Leaving Cert subject would have “terrible implications” for the language and for the Gaeltacht economy. An immediate effect, she said, would be “the destruction of the Gaelic colleges. If students don’t have to do Irish for their leaving they’re not going to be coming to the Gaeltacht.” She had brought a motion before Údarás supporting the 20-year strategy on the language, which would also retain Irish as a compulsory Leaving subject.
Mr. Mac Niallais said, “If we want to protect the language and protect the summer colleges, we have to be pro-active on this.”
Donegal Democrat
25 Eanáir 2011
That’s how you debate: Coláiste Rís into debating final
November 29, 2010
Three Dundalk students have proved that they not only know how to win an argument, they know how to do so through the Irish language.
Coláiste Rís students Kelly Ní Fhloinn and twins, Mícheál and Neasán Mac Suibhne are on their way to the regional final of the Gael Linn debating competition. The junior team recently successfully competed in the second round of Comórtas Uí Chadhainis in Monaghan where they debated the motion ‘Pensioners have a great life!’ (‘Is aoibhinn beatha an phinsinéara!’). They debated the motion with teams from Coláiste Íosagáin and Coláiste Eoin, Booterstown, Co Dublin and Coláiste Oiriall, Co Monaghan. Teacher Seán Ó Coigligh helped the young Dundalk orators to prepare for the debate and they managed to convince the judges with their strong arguments in favour of the motion.
Delighted with their win, the team will now progress to the regional final of the competition, which is due to take place next month. “The main aim of Comórtas Uí Chadhain is to promote the use of Irish in schools and among young people, while at the same time fostering skills in public speaking and debating,” said Jamie Ó Tuama of Gael Linn. “There is an added incentive for students to participate, as 40 per cent of marks in the Leaving Certificate will be allocated to the Oral Irish Examination from now on, and the competition has attracted a large number of entries this year as a result.”
Donegal Democrat – Tamara O’Connell
24 Samhain 2010
Young Gaeilgeoirs hopeful about Gaeltacht’s future
August 24, 2010
Earlier this year, a leading scholar in language planning visited Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair to discuss the future of Irish.
The researcher was one of the authors of the comprehensive 2007 report on the use of Irish in the Gaeltacht, which found that unless there were major changes in language-use patterns, Irish would cease to be the predominant community and family language in the Gaeltacht in 15 to 20 years.
Recently, two Leaving Certificate students at the pobalscoil discussed their own hopes for the language. Brídín Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh and Simon MacGiolla Easpaig, both 18, each received student of the year honours at the school’s awards night earlier this year. They served on the Donegal Youth Council, and they are musicians with An Crann Óg, the Gaoth Dobhair-based group of young trad musicians.
This summer they are working at the summer camp at An Chrannóg, the community and cultural centre in Gaoth Dobhair. In the autumn, Brídín plans to study theatre/performance studies and Irish, and Simon plans to study law and politics. Both said their identity as Gaeilgeoirs underscores everything they do. Their cultural involvement goes hand in hand with their commitment to the language, Simon said, adding, “One complements the other.”
And while they recognise all young people their age do not share their passion for the language, they have also considered ways of improving the way Irish is taught and promoted that could encourage younger people to embrace and speak Irish.
As an example, Simon pointed to the work of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta presenter Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, whose programme “Rónán Beo @ 3” offers a very contemporary look at news and feature stories, music, culture, politics and humour. “We need to have more shows and radio programmes like that,” Simon said. TG4’s wealth of animated programming in Irish caters for the very young, and documentaries and dramas attract more mature audiences. But there are fewer offerings for teens. Adolescents, around age 13 and 14, want their peers to consider them cool, and Irish is not always seen as a part of that, Brídín said. “Certain courses need to be modernized,” she said.
Both young people welcomed the increased emphasis on spoken Irish in the new curriculum. “A vital part of learning any language is the ability to speak it,” Simon said. He said that his blood boiled when he watched the RTÉ programme Frontline earlier this year and listened to people who were unable to speak Irish after studying it in school. He attributed that to courses that emphasised the final examination, rather than the long-term benefits of speaking Irish.
“Education should be with you for life, not just for the exam,” he said. Brídín’s mother, Bríd Ní Bhaiceir Uí Mhaoldomhnaigh, taught Irish at Loreto Letterkenny, “and really helped us appreciate the language,” Brídín said. Bríd encouraged them to participate in public speaking, recitations and drama, and wrote Irish pieces and dramas for Brídín. A new trophy in Bríd’s memory was presented at this year’s Éigse Uladh for the best new poem in the recitation competition.
“She did a lot to promote Irish,” Brídín said. Bríd died earlier this year, and Brídín said that some of mother’s former students have told her of the impact Bríd’s teaching had on their appreciation for the language. “Things like that show what can be done,” Brídín said. Irish is a living, community language at An Chrannóg. The staff at the centre and the young people who work at the camp always speak to each other in Irish.
“There’s a certain amount of pride among our age group in the language,” Simon said. But they understand that some of their contemporaries have returned to Gaoth Dobhair from other countries, and are not fluent. “It’s an uphill struggle for them and we have to accommodate them,” Simon said. He said sometimes people find a new appreciation for Irish when they leave the Gaeltacht. Or they find it when they are abroad and want to talk about people without being understood, Brídín said, and Simon laughed and nodded in agreement.
Both appreciate the need for people to speak English. But they were passionate about the importance of promoting Irish.
Earlier this year when Conchúr Ó Giollagáin, head of the language planning unit at Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Co. na Gaillimhe, was at the pobalscoil, he said now was the time for change. “Hopefully some day we will come out of the economic recession, but linguistic crises don’t wait,” he said. “They have to be solved when they occur. Twenty years down the road will be too late.”
He described a stark future: “A laissez-faire attitude toward current policy endeavours will see the demise of the Gaeltacht as a linguistic and cultural entity,” Conchúr said.
Brídín and Simon remain hopeful about the future of Gaeltacht. Simon said that he does not think there will be much change in the Gaeltacht in 10 years’ time. He does not see a great surge, but he does not see a great decline, either. Though sometimes he wishes he were better able to help others to feel as passionately as he feels about the language.
Brídín spoke of a recent night at the local GAA, where about 80 per cent of the young people who signed in had signed their names in Irish. “It was good to see,” she said. She mentioned a 4-year-old girl whose first language was Irish and what had difficulties with English. Brídín knows the girl will learn English, but she was delighted to see a youngster so immersed in Irish.
“It lifts your spirits,” she said. And she says she will remain hopeful.
“You can’t get anywhere without hope,” Brídín said. “I hope people realise how precious it is to have our own language.”
Donegal Democrat – Carolyn Farrar
19 Lúnasa 2010
Coláiste Ailigh celebrates a decade on
March 23, 2010
A decade on and Coláiste Ailigh in Letterkenny has been to the forefront in terms of academic achievements. And last Friday night, the town’s first Irish secondary school marked its tenth anniversary and those achievements with a dinner-dance in the Mount Errigal Hotel.
Around 300 patrons attended the function including students, past and present, staff, parents, Board of Management, and Donegal Vocational Educational Committee members.
They were there to herald a school which has gone from strength to strength under Principal Míchéal Ó Giobúin and is now regarded as one of the most outstanding educational establishments of its kind in the country.
The night coincided with the launch of a special booklet written by teacher Proínsaid Mac A’Bhaird and chronicling the school’s history. It’s a history that also came alive through an exhibition of photographs, organised by Bríd Ní Ghallchóir, Bláine Mulligan and Áine Ní Ghiobúin, depicting the faces and events from the past decade
Among the various speakers who addressed the dinner-dance, Principal Ó Giobúin spoke of his “pride and honour” at being involved in Coláiste Ailigh and highlighted the fact that it had thrived in the heart of a ‘Galltacht’ area.
Remarking on the love of the language and culture which attracted pupils to the school, he maintained: “Anyone who thinks the Irish language is dead should be here tonight.”
Over 90 per cent of pupils, past and present, were in attendance at Friday night’s function with the Principal acknowledging each and every year and the respective students and parents. He also thanked the 18 strong staff for their professionalism over the ten years and praised everyone for their input into the school.
Other speakers commented on the “strong community spirit” that existed in Coláiste Ailigh – a comment that was reinforced with the presence of so many who sit, or have sat, in the classrooms of the school.
Among the other speakers were Bishop Philip Boyce; the Chief Executive Officer of the V.E.C., Mary Ann O’Kane; and local T.D. James McDaid who launched the commemorative booklet. Former Chief Executive Officer of the V.E.C., Seán Ó Longáin launched the school’s new website as part of the anniversary celebrations.
A C.D., marking the ten years of the college, will be launched at the school prizegiving ceremony on May 27th.
Donegal Democrat
23 Márta 2010
