Seachtain na Gaeilge got off to a momentous start across Donegal last Friday following an exciting launch at An Grianan Theatre.
The Seachtain na Gaeilge International Festival will take place from 1 – 17 March 2019 and a wide range of events is planned for Donegal and the North West Region.
The festival gives absolutely everyone a chance to enjoy the Irish language, be they native Irish speakers, language learners or those with only a few words.
Seachtain na Gaeilge was officially launched by the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Séamus Ó Domhnaill with Chairperson of Coiste na Gaeilge, John Shéamuis Ó Fearraigh and the Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, Séamus Neely also in attendance. Staff members from various services in Donegal County Council were also present, as were several representatives from the various organizations, both at local and at national level to show their support for Seachtain na Gaeilge.
Many have contributed to the schedule of events for Seachtain na Gaeilge, the details of which can be pursued in the colourful booklet produced by Donegal County Council here: https://donegalgathering.files.wordpress.com/2019/03/sheachtain-na-gaeilge-2019-web-1.pdf
Fiona Sweeney, Séan Ó Daimhín, Seamus O’Domhnaill, Cathaoirleach of Donegal, Róise Ní Laifertaigh, Seamus Neely, CE Donegal County Council, Liam Ward, Director of Community Development & Planning Services, Cllr John Sheamais Ó’Fearraigh and Niamh Sweeney at the launch of Seachtain na Gaeilge in An Grianan Theare on Friday last which runs from the 1st to 17th March. Clive Wasson
The renowned Clann Mhic Ruairí from Rann na Feirste got the proceedings off to a flying start. Further along in the proceedings, the pupils of St. Joseph’s N.S Rathmullan delighted the audience with a repertoire of their best loved Irish songs.
Speaking during the launch, the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Séamus Ó Domhnaill said that he was delighted as a native speaker himself to officially launch Seachtain na Gaeilge for 2019.
He spoke of the importance of supporting the Irish language both within and beyond the Gaeltacht areas and encouraged the promotion of the Irish language and culture as a valuable economic and tourism product.
While acknowledging the legal and moral obligations the Council has regarding the Irish language, Mr Seamus Neely, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council stated that Seachtain na Gaeilge provides a platform to enjoy the Irish language through the many events that will take place during Seachtain na Gaeilge in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
The launch of Seachtain na Gaeilge in An Grianan Theatre on Friday last which runs from the 1st to 17th March. Clive Wasson
Mr Neely paid tribute to the many local groups who organize events as part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations. He also acknowledged the significant contribution of the Library Service and that of Rannóg na Gaeilge in the preparatory works for Seachtain na Gaeilge. He hopes that the range of events will suit all ages!
He said he was particularly delighted with the collaboration now happening between the Irish Officers of Donegal County Council and of Derry City Council and Strabane District Council in the promotion of the Irish language and culture in the three counties under our remit.
Mr Neely concluded by appealing to the people of Donegal and the North West to come out to support the many events scheduled for Seachtain na Gaeilge, most of which are free of charge, and to celebrate this, our ancient language and culture with pride purpose.
Cllr John Shéamuis Ó Fearraigh, Cathaoirleach on Donegal County Council’s Irish Language Committee, said: “If we want the Irish language to survive, we have to speak it. And we have to give every support to our children in using the language, and to older people, and to the new Irish who have come to live in our country. But if we are really serious about the language there is a real need for a complete cultural transformation in this country and a complete change of mindset too”.
Niamh Nic Suibhne, a student in the LYIT and who is on placement in Rannóg na Gaeilge came to the podium and gave a comprehensive account of the benefits she has gained in her time in Rannóg na Gaeilge. She spoke of the many projects she has been involved in, many of which she has had a central role in herself and she acknowledged, with appreciation, the value this placement has had in improving her confidence in the use of the Irish language.
Seachtain na Gaeilge is an international Irish-language festival promoting the use of Irish language and culture, both at home and abroad, running over a fortnight in March every year. The festival has built up incredible momentum in recent years, becoming the largest celebration of our native language and culture held every year.
For more information on events in Donegal, contact Róise or Seán 074 94275 or e-mail: rmcclafferty@donegalcoco.ie or sdaimhin@donegalcoco.ie, or go to www.snag.ie or to Donegal County Council website, to look for events near you.
SEOLTAR SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE 2019 i gCONTAE DHÚN NA NGALL
Cuireadh tús spleodrach le Seachtain na Gaeilge ar fud Dhún na nGall, nuair a seoladh imeachtaí na féile bliantúla in Amharclann an Ghrianáin, Leitir Ceanainn inniu, ar an Aoine, 1 Márta ag 1.00 pm.
Beidh an Fhéile Idirnáisiúnta, Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl ó 1 – 17 Márta 2019 agus tá clár fairsing imeachtaí Gaeilge beartaithe do Chontae Dhún na nGall agus do Cheantair an Iarthuaiscirt i mbliana.
Sheol Cathaoirleach na Comhairle Contae, An Clr Séamus Ó Domhnaill Seachtain na Gaeilge go hoifigiúil. Bhí Cathaoirleach Choiste na Gaeilge, John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh agus Príomh-Fheidhmeannach na Comhairle, Séamus Neely i láthair ag an ócáid chomh maith.
Ba bhreá agus ba mhór líon na n-ionadaithe a bhí i láthair ó na seirbhisí éagsúla i gComhairle Contae Dhún na nGall agus ó eagraíochtaí eile, ag leibhéal náisiúnta agus ag leibhéal áitiúil, lena dtacaíocht a léiriú do Sheachtain na Gaeilge, cuid mhaith acu a chuir le líon na n-imeachtaí do Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Is féidir sonraí na n-imeachtaí a aimsiú i leabhrán ildaite atá foilsithe ag Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall.
Chuir Clann Mhic Ruairí as Rann na Feirste tús bríomhar leis an ócáid agus arís i ndiaidh na
n-óráidí le ceol breá sultmhar. Cheol grúpa páistí scoile, ó Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Iosaf, Rath Maoláin traidhfil amhrán taitneamhach as Gaeilge a chuaigh go mor i bhfeidhm ar an lucht i láthair.
Agus é ar na bonnaí, dúirt Cathaoirleach na Comhairle Contae, An Clr Séamus Ó Domhnaill go raibh lúcháir air mar chainteoir dúchais Seachtain na Gaeilge a sheoladh go hoifigiúil don bhliain 2019. Labhair sé faoi chomh tábhachtach is atá sé an Ghaeilge a chaomhnú, a neartú agus a fhorbairt, ní amháin sa Ghaeltacht ach sna ceantair taobh amuigh di, agus go bhfuil gá leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn mar acmhainn chultúrtha agus turasóireachta.
Is maith is eol don Chomhairle ‘na dualgais reachtúla agus morálta atá le comhlíonadh ó thaobh seirbhisí Gaeilge’ a dúirt Príomh-Fheidhmeannach na Comhairle, Séamus Neely ach is é a bharúil go ‘bheireann Seachtain na Gaeilge ardán eile dúinn lenár dteanga agus ár gcultúr a cheiliúradh ar bhonn atá sultmhar, taitneamhach agus pléisiúrtha’. Mhol sé go mór obair na gcóistí áitiúla as an iarracht a dhéantar bliain i ndiaidh bliana le Seachtain Gaeilge fhiúntach a reáchtáil sa chontae. Thug sé buíochas faoi leith don tSeirbhís Leabharlainne agus do Rannóg na Gaeilge as an réamhullmhúcháin ar fad le Seachtain na Gaeilge a chur ar obair arís i mbliana. Tá súil aige go mbeidh imeacht ar siúl a shásóidh idir óg agus aosta!
Bhí lúcháir faoi leith air faoin chomhoibriú atá ar bun anois idir Rannóg Gaeilge Chomhairle Contae Dhún na nGall agus Oifigigh Ghaeilge Chomhairle Chathair Doire agus Cheantar an tSratha Báin leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sna trí chontae faoinár gcúram.
Mar fhocal scoir, d’impigh sé ar mhuintir Dhún na nGall agus an Iarthuaiscirt an deis iontach seo a thapú agus freastal a dhéanamh ar a laghad, ar chuid de na himeachtaí fairsinge Gaeilge a bheas ar siúl le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge, an chuid is mó acu saor in aisce, agus ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr ársa álainn a cheiliúradh le bród agus le mórtas.
Labhair An Clr John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh, Cathaoirleach Choiste Gaeilge na Comhairle Contae ag an ócáid. “Má tá muid ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a bheith beo caithfidh muid í a labhairt. Agus caithfidh muid oiread a thig linn a dhéanamh chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do pháistí, agus daoine níos sine, agus na hÉireannaigh úra as tíortha eile. Ach má tá muid dáiríre faoin teanga a shábháil tá géarghá le hathrú mór cultúrtha sa tír seo agus athrú mór meoin”.
Tháinig Niamh Nic Suibhne, mac léinn atá i mbun staidéir san Institiúid Teicneolaiocht i Leitir Ceanainn agus ag caitheamh seal i Rannóg na Gaeilge ar thaithí oibre chun tosaigh agus rinne sí cur síos cuimsitheach ar a taithí oibre go dtí seo. Labhair sí faoi na beartais éagsula ina raibh ról aici féin iontu agus mhol sí go mór d’aon mhac léinn seal a chaitheamh i Rannóg na Gaeilge mas main leo feabhas a chur ar a gcuid Gaeilge.
Is féile idirnáisiúnta Ghaeilge í Seachtain na Gaeilge a chuireann úsáid na Gaeilge agus an cultúr Gaelach chun cinn in Éirinn agus thar lear. Tá an fhéile tar éis neart fuinnimh a bhailiú le blianta beaga anuas, agus tá sí anois ar an cheiliúradh is mó dár dteanga agus dár gcultúr dúchais. Tugann an fhéile deis d’achan duine sult a bhaint as an Ghaeilge, idir chainteoirí dúchais, fhoghlaimeoirí agus lucht an chúpla focal araon.
Fá choinne tuilleadh eolais faoi na himeachtaí, ní gá ach teagmháil a dhéanamh le Róise nó le Seán ag 074 94275 nó seol ríomhphost chuig: rmcclafferty@donegalcoco.ie nó chuig sdaimhin@donegalcoco.ie nó dul go www.snag.ie nó chuig suíomh idirlín na Comhairle Contae ar donegal.ie/ie, chun cuardach a dhéanamh d’imeachtaí i do cheantarsa.
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