A new booklet capturing an insight into the folk life, material culture, heritage and folklore of County Donegal in the 1930s has been launched to much praise from the local and historical community.
Scéaltaí: The 1930s Schools’ Manuscript Collection in County Donegal was unveiled at a special event in Dooish National School on Tuesday evening last. Local people who contributed to the booklet as children were welcomed as special guests at the event.
Dr. Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair was commissioned to research and write the free, A5-size, 56-page booklet as part of the implementation of the County Donegal Heritage Plan.
The booklet adds another dimension to a collection of folklore compiled by schoolchildren in Ireland in the 1930s.
Kathleen Gallagher Letterkenny ,Margaret McGinty Glenfinn and Mairead Cunningham Carrick who all contributed to the Scealtai project in the 1930’s. Pictured at the launch of Scealtai, the 1930s schools’ manuscript collection of County Donegal, in Dooish NS Ballybofey on Tuesday night. Photo by Gerard McHugh.
Joseph Gallagher, Heritage Officer with Donegal County Council explains: “In 1937-1938, the Irish Folklore Commission, in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, initiated a revolutionary scheme in which schoolchildren were encouraged to collect and document folklore, material culture, heritage and local history.
“Over a period of eighteen months, over 50,000 children in 5,000 primary schools in twenty-six counties were encouraged to collect folklore material in their home districts on themes such as local history and monuments, folktales and legends, riddles and proverbs, songs, customs and beliefs, games and pastimes, traditional work practices and crafts.”
Margret McGinty, Meenagrave, Ballybofey pictured with Joseph Gallagher, Donegal County Council Heritage Officer at the launch of Scealtai, the 1930s schools’ manuscript collection of County Donegal, in Dooish NS Ballybofey on Tuesday night. Photo by Gerard McHugh.
Mairead and Francis Cunningham pictured at the launch of Scealtai, the 1930s schools’ manuscript collection of County Donegal, in Dooish NS Ballybofey on Tuesday night. Photo by Gerard McHugh.
“The Schools’ Manuscript Collection is a national treasure, truly unique in its substance and in its execution,” said author Dr. Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair.
Seamus O Domhnaill Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Eithne Ni Ghallchobhair, Acadamh Rioga na hEireann, Packie Bonner Principal Dooish NS, Dr Criostair Mac Carthaigh, National Folklore Collection UCD, Joseph Gallagher, Donegal County Council Heritage Officer at the launch of Scealtai, the 1930s schools’ manuscript collection of County Donegal, in Dooish NS Ballybofey on Tuesday night. Photo by Gerard McHugh.
Ní Ghallchobhair added: “On a national level, it’s fascinating to note that while this extraordinarily successful project was coordinated at the highest administrative level, the groundwork was completed by children.
“The Schools’ Manuscript Collection in its entirety is the ultimate tribute to them and to the teachers of the time who worked in circumstances far beyond the call of duty and whose commitment and enthusiasm was paramount to the success of the scheme.
“That this work was done by children in their own localities with nothing other than pen and paper enhances its merit and secures the Schools’ Manuscript Collection in the affections of everyone interested in the heritage and oral traditions of Ireland.”
The launch of Scealtai, the 1930s schools’ manuscript collection of County Donegal, in Dooish NS Ballybofey on Tuesday night. Photo by Gerard McHugh.
The author of the booklet, Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair, is a native of Ardara and Eagarthóir Cúnta / Assistant Editor of the Foclóir Stairiúil na Nua-Ghaeilge / Historical Dictionary of Modern Irish with the Royal Irish Academy as well as a children’s author and storyteller.
The booklet is the fourth in the ‘Donegal Heritage Series’ published by the County Donegal Heritage Office, Donegal County Council in association with The Heritage Council.
The Schools’ Folklore Collection from the schools that participated in the scheme from County Donegal can now be consulted on-line atwww.duchas.ie.
The launch of Scealtai, the 1930s schools’ manuscript collection of County Donegal, in Dooish NS Ballybofey on Tuesday night. Photo by Gerard McHugh.
The booklet was launched by Dr. Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh, Director of the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin.
Cllr. Seamus Ó Domhnaill, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council was also in attendance at the launch. Copies of the free booklet will be made available to schools through the Donegal Education Centre.
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