The young traditional singer, musician and student from Mín an Chladaigh in the Gaoth Dobhair, Clíona Ní Ghallchóir, launched Irish Language Week (1-17 March) for Ulster on Friday evening in An Chrannóg, Gaoth Dobhair, in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
She gave a rousing and inspiring speech in Irish at the launch, stating that ‘the language is a valuable jewel handed over to us by our ancestors and we have a responsibility to ensure that we pass on that same jewel to future generations. There is a deep well of richness, culture and language in this country of ours that is totally unique and we cannot let that well dry up. Each and every one of us has a role in the preservation and strengthening of the language. Seachtain na Gaeilge provides us with an opportunity to fulfill this role with passion and energy”. Clíona’s speech can be viewed online here.
She also launched the Programme of Events for County Donegal on the night. The Programme, which contains over 80 events throughout County Donegal and in neighbouring counties can be accessed at the link here.
There are a wide range of events taking place in every part of the county, from Cill Chartha to Carn Domhnach, and from Gaoth Dobhair to Bealach Féich, including conversational groups, quizzes, Irish language singing, sean-nós dancing, Irish language evenings, book clubs, Céilí’s, storytelling, coffee mornings and walks etc. Donegal Library Services are holding activities in many of their outlets across the county.
The young musicians of An Crann Óg provided lovely traditional music before and after the proceedings.
Cllr Mícheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig, Cathaoirleach of the Council’s Coiste na Gaeilge, expressed praise and appreciation to all the groups and committees throughout the county who were organising events. He acknowledged that the County Council had done good work to improve its services in Irish and to promote Irish, but stated that there was still much to do.
The Ulster Launch of Seachtain na Gaeilge was a partnership event by Meitheal Pleanála Teanga an Iarthuaiscirt, Conradh na Gaeilge and Donegal County Council. Among the other speakers on the evening were Dónal Ó Cnáimhsí, Language Planning Officer in Gaoth Dobhair and na Rosa, Liam Mac an Bhaird, Director of Service for Planning and Community in Donegal County Council, Sophie Osbourne on behalf of Conradh na Gaeilge.
Link to events booklet below
The Club Leabhar an Iarthuaiscirt Group are currently reading the Irish language novel 'Fatwa' by Proinsias Mac an Bhaird.
The group will meet in the company of the author on Wednesday 25th March in the County Museum, Letterkenny at 7.30pm.
If you are interested in taking part in our Irish Language Book Club for the Northwest, please contact [email protected]
The Club is for adult fluent speakers, or intermediate-level learners, of Irish.
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