Council Chair helps to start Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations
‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’ (Irish Language Week), the annual celebration of the Irish language, has been launched in Mid Ulster by the Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Dominic Molloy, accompanied by Bronagh Fusco of Conradh na Gaeilge, at the Hill of The O’Neill and Ranfurly House, Dungannon.
Seachtain na Gaeilge is a national and international Language festival which takes place every year all over Ireland and further afield, and this year, the Mid Ulster event includes talks, music and entertainment to suit all ages.
The festival encourages everyone to give Irish a go and to learn more about the rich Gaelic heritage that’s all around.
Chair of the Council, Councillor Dominic Molloy outlined the importance of Seachtain na Gaeilge as a way for the local community to get involved with and celebrate the Irish language, and encouraged everyone to attend the many events on offer throughout the district saying,
“Anyone attending the wide range of events on offer can look forward to taking in some traditional Irish music, while at the same time getting to use and improve their own Irish speaking and listening ability. It’s also a fantastic chance for anyone considering taking up the Irish language to go ahead and give it a go!”
The launch event was attended by pupils and staff from Irish Language Medium schools in the local area; Gaelscoil Aodha Rua, Dungannon; Gaelscoil Uí Néill, Coalisland; and the Sruth na Gaeilge (Irish Medium Stream) from St. Joseph’s Grammar School, Donaghmore. Community Irish Language Development Officers Conchúr Ó Muirí (Ballinascreen) and Damian Ó Néill (Coalisland) were also in attendance.
Guest speaker Bronagh Fusco from Conradh na Gaeilge discussed her own positive experiences and involvement with the world’s largest and longest running Irish language festival.
The event concluded with a taste of the entertainment to come during the festival and included traditional music, song, and dance from the children of Gaelscoil Uí Néill, and a performance from the entire Gaelscoil Aodha Rua choir.
Events to suit all ages and stages of proficiency take place throughout the district commencing on Friday 1st March with a launch event in Carn Tóchair, Maghera ‘Fréamhú Teanga’, and conclude locally on Friday 22nd March in the Square Box, Ranfurly House, Dungannon when Augher native Sinéad Nic Cionnaith will launch her much anticipated debut album of traditional music and song ‘Faoi Lán Ceoil’.
For a comprehensive list of events throughout March, visit Gaeilge Lár Uladh on Facebook or contact the Council’s Irish Language Officers by emailing gaeilge@midulstercouncil.org or telephoning 03000 132 132.