cairde teo

Bhí breis agus 50 Gael as Ard Mhacha in éineacht leis na mílte ar mhórshúil ar shráideanna Bhéal Feirste Dé Sathairn le cosaint agus cur chun cinn na Gaeilge a éileamh. Bhí rannpháirtithe ann ó áiteanna chomh fada ar shiúl le Gaillimh, le Dún na nGall agus le Baile Átha Cliath agus thosaigh siad ag an Chultúrlann i gCeathrú Gaeltachta Bhéal Feirste agus rinne sé a bhealach trí lár na cathrach chuig an cheannscríbe ag Cearnóg Theach an Chustaim.  Bhí mórchuid de na rannpháirtithe ag caitheamh éadaí dearga nó d’iarr lucht eagraithe an mhórshúil ar rannpháirtithe a thaispeáint go raibh siad ‘Dearg le Fearg’. Cuireadh críoch leis an mhórshúil le roinnt óráidí spreagúla ón ardán ag éileamh comhionannais do Ghaeilgeoirí sa reachtaíocht agus acmhainní cuí don Ghaeloideachas. Bhain an t-ollscaifte sult as an cheol a chuir JJ Ó Dochartaigh, daltaí Choláiste Feirste agus Éamon Ó Fagáin ar fáil.

Dúirt lucht eagraithe ‘An Lá Dearg’ gur socraíodh an mórshúil mar gheall ar an cháineadh a rinne an Eoraip ar an Fheidhmeannas i dtuaisceart na hÉireann as siocair nach raibh siad ag cur codanna áirithe de Chomhaontú Aoine an Chéasta i bhfeidhm.

“Níor chomhlíon polaiteoirí Stormont na gealltanais seo,” arsa na heagraithe áitiúla ó CAIRDE Teo agus cuireadh in iúl chomh maith nár cuireadh aon reachtaíocht i bhfeidhm go fóill leis an teanga a chosaint.

Shonraigh Caoimhe Ní Chathail, duine de choiste an fheachtais na héilimh a bhí Gaeilgeoirí an tuaiscirt ag iarraidh a fháil le tamall mhaith anuas:

“Tá pobal na Gaeilge ag iarraidh go gcuirfear Acht na Gaeilge i bhfeidhm láithreach nó tá sé geallta le fada an lá. Éilíonn muid córas ceart Gaeloideachais ón naíscoil chuig an iarbhunscoil agus chuig an tríú leibhéal. Ba mhaith linn acmhainní cuí do phobal na Gaeilge, rud atá ábhartha faoi láthair agus eagraíochtaí Gaeilge ag cailleadh maoinithe trí chiorruithe rialtais. Níl uainn ach go dtabharfar cosaint dhlíthiúil ar ár gcearta agus go gcuirtear na gealltanais a tugadh dúinn i bhfeidhm,” arsa sí.

Níos luaithe i mbliana, bhí breis agus 5,000 páirteach in agóid taobh amuigh de Theach Laighean i mBaile Átha Cliath ag iarraidh ar an rialtas níos mó tacaíocht a thabhairt don Ghaeilge. Tháinig an mórshúil i mBaile Átha Cliath sna sála ar chinneadh an Choimisinéara Teanga Seán Ó Cuirreáin éirí as. Dúirt Ó Cuirreáin go raibh sé le héirí as mar gheall ar “d(h)rochchinneadh i ndiaidh drochchinnidh” atá déanta ag an rialtas maidir leis an Ghaeilge ó tháinig sé isteach sa phost sa bhliain 2011. Dúirt sé chomh maith nach bliain maith a bhí sa bhliain 2012 don Ghaeilge.

D’eagraigh scátheagras de ghníomhaithe Gaeilge mórshúil an tSathairn. Dúirt urlabhra ón ghrúpa Fergal Mac Ionnrachtaigh go raibh siad ag teacht amach go láidir le cur in iúl do pholaiteoirí go mbeidh orthu beart a dhéanamh leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a chothú”.

Dúirt LeasUachtarán Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn Feidhlim Seoighe go bhfuil an rialtas ar dhá thaobh an teorainn “ag ligint Gaeilgeoirí síos. Gan seirbhísí a chur ar fáil, is é atá a rá acu go bunúsach ná nach bhfuil tábhacht leis an teanga náisiúnta. Tá daoine óga ar fud na tíre ag máirseáil ar son thodhchaí na Gaeilge. Cearta daonna atá i gcearta teanga.”

Ba é CAIRDE Teo a d’eagraigh an dream as Ard Mhacha a d’fhreastail ar an mhórshúil agus léirsiú ag an deireadh seachtaine.

Over 50 Gaels from Armagh joined thousands of marchers on the streets of Belfast on Saturday last to call for increased protection and promotion of the Irish language. The well-supported march, which attracted participants from as far away as Galway, Donegal and Dublin, departed from An Chultúrlann in Belfast’s Gaeltacht Quarter and made its way through the city centre to its finishing point in Custom House Square.  The vast majority of participants were dressed in red in response to a call from organisers who encouraged participants to come ‘Dearg le Fearg’ (Red with Anger). The colourful rally ended with uplifting speeches from the stage in the Square calling for equal rights in legislation for Irish speakers and proper resources for Irish medium education. The huge crowds also enjoyed musical entertainment from JJ Ó Dochartaigh, Coláiste Feirste and Éamon Ó Fagáin.

Organisers of ‘An Lá Dearg’ (The Red Day) said the march had been prompted by criticism from Europe that the Northern Ireland Executive was not implementing certain parts of the Good Friday Agreement.

“These commitments have not been honoured by the politicians in Stormont,” local organisers from CAIRDE Teo said, noting that there has also been no legislation implemented to protect the language.

Campaign committee member Caoimhe Ní Chathail outlined the demands that Irish speakers in the North have been campaigning on for some time:

“The Irish language community is calling for immediate enactment of the long-promised rights-based Irish language act (Acht na Gaeilge). We demand a properly resourced Irish medium education system from pre-school through post-primary to third level. We are also seeking adequate resources for the Irish language community, which is particularly pertinent in the present time when established Irish language organisations are having their funding slashed by government cuts. We ask only for the legal protections of our rights and that the promises we have heard are made real in practice,” she added.

Earlier this year, over 5,000 people took part in a protest outside Leinster House, Dublin, calling for increased government support for the Irish language. The Dublin march came in the wake of Language Commissioner (Coimisinéir Teanga) Seán Ó Cuirreáin announcing his decision to resign. Ó Cuirreáin said the move was due to “bad decision after bad decision” made by government in relation to the Irish language since he took office in 2011, and later referred to 2012 as ‘not a vintage year’ for the language.

Saturday’s protest was organised by an umbrella group of Irish language activists. Spokesperson Fergal Mac Ionnrachtaigh said that they are “coming out strongly to say that the politicians have to start acting on what it is we’re looking for when it comes to Irish language promotion and support”.

 Vice President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) Feidhlim Seoighe said that governments on both sides of the border are “letting the Irish speakers of the country down. By not providing services through Irish, they are essentially putting out the message that our National Language has no importance. Young people across the country are marching for the future of the Irish Language. Language rights are Human Rights.”

 The Irish language contingent from Armagh who attended the weekend’s march and demonstration was organised by local Irish language campaign group CAIRDE Teo.

Beidh dianchúrsa Gaeilge ar siúl sa Pháirc Lúthchleasa in Ard Mhacha Dé Sathairn 3 Bealtaine idir 11am agus 4pm. Beidh bunrang, meánrang agus ardrang ann agus cuirfear lón san áireamh ar an chostas £10. Más mian leat áit a chur in áirithe, déan teagmháil le Seán ar sean@cairdeteo.com nó 028 3751 5229.

There will be an intensive Irish language course in the Athletic Grounds Armagh on Saturday 2 May between 11am and 4pm. There will be a class for beginners, intermediate level and higher level. The cost of £10 includes lunch. If you would like to book a place on the course, contact Seán on sean@cairdeteo.com or 028 3751 5229.

Beidh CAIRDE Teo ag eagrú bus as Ard Mhacha chuig an Lá Dearg i mBéal Feirste Dé Sathairn 12 Aibreán. Fágfaidh an bus Óstán Chathair Ard Mhacha ar 12.30pm le freastal ar an mhórshúil ón Chultúrlann ar a 2 a chlog. Beidh muid ag fágáil Bhéal Feirste arís ar a 5 a chlog. Beidh costas £5 ar shuíochán amháin nó ráta speisialta de £12 do theaghlaigh le triúr nó níos mó. Cuir áit in áirithe anois trí theagmháil a dhéanamh le Seán 028 3751 5229 sean@cairdeteo.com.

CAIRDE Teo are organising a bus from Armagh to An Lá Dearg, a family-friendly march for the Irish language in Belfast on Saturday 12 April. The bus will leave Armagh City Hotel at 12.30pm for the march, which leaves the Cultúrlann on the Falls Road at 2pm and finishes at Custom House Square. We will be leaving Belfast at 5pm. The cost is £5 for one seat on the bus or a special rate of £12 for families of three or more. Book a place now by contacting Seán on 028 3751 5229 sean@cairdeteo.com.

Thug Gaeil Ard Mhacha aghaidh ar Chaisleán Chluain Tairbh i mBaile Átha Cliath ag an deireadh seachtaine do shearmanas bronnta Ghlór na nGael a bhíonn ar siúl achan bhliain le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar chur chun cinn na Gaeilge sa saol sóisialta agus eacnamaíocht i gcathracha, i mbailte agus i sráidbhailte ar fud na hÉireann.

I measc na n-ainmniúchán do dhuais naisiúnta 2013 bhí an fiontar fuinniúil pobail as Ard Mhacha, CAIRDE Teo. Fógraíodh an gearrliosta ar raidió RTÉ Déardaoin 27 Feabhra ach níor fógraíodh buaiteoirí na mórdhuaise de €20,000 go dtí an Satharn i gCluain Tairbh i láthair an Aire Stáit Donnchadh Mac Fhionnlaoich TD.

Chomh maith leis an phríomhdhuais, bronntar duaischiste €120,000 ar choistí deonacha a chuireann an Ghaeilge chun cinn ina bpobal féin. Bhí buaiteoirí sna catagóirí éagsúla as achan chúige agus as tíortha eile chomh maith. Bíonn duaiseanna ann do ghrúpaí mac léinn, clubanna spóirt, coistí idirnáisiúnta, coláistí tríú leibhéal agus eile. Ar cheann de na buaicphointí ar an oíche, fógraíodh gurbh é an Coláiste ceolmhar TG Lurgan a bhain Gradam Ghlór na nGael 2013.

Bhí fios ag CAIRDE Teo cheana féin go raibh dhá dhuais buaite acu, ceann sa chatagóir ‘Pobal níos mó ná 10,000’ agus ‘Duais Fiontraíochta’. Bhí an ghrúpa áitiúil ar cheann de na trí ainmniúchán don mhórdhuais náisiúnta.

Mar chuid den oíche siamsúil, d’fhan an grúpa de 14 as CAIRDE Teo go neirbhíseach ar bhuaicphointe na hoíche le gáil amach cé acu ar bhain siad an phríomhdhuais amach. Ba iad Comharchumann Mhic Dara i gContae na Gaillimhe agus Glór Charn Tóchair i gContae Dhoire an bheirt eile a bhí san iomaíocht. Ar an drochuair, ní bhfuair muintir Ard Mhacha an phríomhdhuais amach agus fógraíodh grúpa as Gaeltacht na Gaillimhe mar bhuaiteoirí na duaise de €20,000.

In ainneoin na díomá, bhí na hionadaithe ó Ard Mhacha dearfach fán toradh agus tá siad ag súil go mór leis an bhliain seo chugainn cheana féin, mar a mhínigh Caomhe Ní Loinsigh, ábhar múinteora as Coláiste Mhuire:

“Onóir mór dúinn é gur ainmníodh muid ar ghearrliosta Ghlór na nGael don duais náisiúnta sa chéadáit  agus is aitheantas iontach é ar an obair dhian a dhéanann CAIRDE Teo agus daoine eile leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn in Ard Mhacha. Cé nár éirigh linn an mórdhuais a bhaint, tá €6,500 buaite againn le tionscnaimh Ghaeilge agus cultúrtha a fhorbairt in Ard Mhacha sa bhliain 2014.

“Ócáis den scoth a bhí againn a thug deis mhaith dúinn bualadh leis na daoine is tábhachtaí san earnáil ó achan chearn den tír. Glacann CAIRDE réimse fuinniúil gníomhaithe Gaeilge de gach aoisghrúpa agus de gach cúlra le chéile. Is cinnte go mbeidh muid ag déanamh ár seacht ndícheall sa bhliain atá romhainn agus go mbeidh muid ag iarraidh teacht ar ais go Cluain Tairbh ar an bhliain seo chugainn leis an mhórdhuais a bhaint amach.”

Clontarf Castle Hotel in Co. Dublin was the prestigious venue last weekend for the hosting of the annual GlórnanGaelAwards Ceremony in recognition of endeavours to promote the Irish language in the social and economic life of cities, towns and villages throughout Ireland.

Foremost among the nominees for the 2013 national prize was Armagh’s high profile and energetic Irish language community enterprise CAIRDE Teo. The shortlist of nominees was announced on RTÉ Radioon Thursday, 27 February, but the winners of the overall prize of €20,000 were not announced until Saturday night past in Clontarf in the presence of Minister of State Dinny Mac Fhionnlaidh TD.

As well as the main prize, a €120,000 prize fund is awarded to voluntary committees, some with the benefit of paid staff and some without employees, who endeavour to promote the Irish language in their local community. Winners within each of the categories came from across the four provinces as well as from overseas. There are prizes for students groups, sports clubs, international committees and third level colleges among others. One of the biggest cheers on the night came when popular college group TG Lurgan were announced winners of the GradamGhlórnanGael.

Armagh social enterprise, CAIRDE Teo had already been informed by the announcement in February that they had won two prizes – one in the category ‘Promotion of Irish in Towns with a Population over 10,000’ and another in the ‘Business and Enterprise’ category. The local group were one of three nominees for the overall national prize.

During a gala night, the 14 strong CAIRDE Teo party waited nervously until the climax of the event to find out whether they had won the top prize and beaten off stiff competition from Comharchumann Mhic Dara in Co. Galway and Coiste GhlóirCharnTóchair in Co. Derry. Unfortunately, it was not to be for the Armachianson the night and the group from the Galway Gaeltacht were announced winners of the €20,000 prize.

However, the Armagh City contingent remained circumspect about the result and they are already looking ahead to next year, as Coláiste Mhuire student Caoimhe Ní Loinnsigh explained:

“Just to be nominated in the shortlist for the GlórnanGael national prize is a huge honour for us and is an important recognition of the hard work that CAIRDE Teo and others have been putting into the promotion of the Irish language around Armagh. Despite not winning the top prize, we have come away with €6,500 that will be used to develop more language and cultural initiatives in Armagh in 2014.

“It was a really fantastic occasion and a great opportunity to network with all the key players in the sector from right across Ireland. CAIRDE brings together a vibrant and energetic group of language activists from all age groups and backgrounds. Rest assured that we will be redoubling our efforts in the coming year and that we will be back in Clontarf Castle again next year vying for the overall prize,” she concluded.

Bronnadh níos mó ná €120,000 ag ócáid bhliantúil Bronnadh Duaiseana Ghlór na nGael i gCluain Tarbh, Baile Átha Cliath. Chruinnigh 350 ó gach cearn den tír don oíche chéiliúrtha Gaelach agus i measc na n-aíonna bhí Gaeil ó Nua Eabhrac agus Ceanada, mic léinn ó Ollscoileanna thuaidh agus theas, agus ar ndóigh ionadaithe na gcoistí áitiúla.

Craoladh an ócáid beo ar an idirlín don chéad uair, rud a lig do dhaoine ‘freastal’ ar an imeacht óna mbailte féin.

B’é an tAire Gaeltachta Donncha Mag Fhionnhaile a bhronn na nduaiseanna, agus bhí urra ó go leor eagrais i láthair, Foras na Gaeilge ina measc.

Ar na duaiseanna a dháileadh, bronnadh An Chéad Áit sa rannóg ‘Pobal níos mó ná 10,000′  agus Duais Gnó agus Fiontraíochta ar Cairde Teo., Co Ard Mhacha, duais ar luach €5,000 agus €1,500. Ag moladh obair an choiste, dúirt Lorcán Mac Gabhann, Ceannasaí Ghlór na nGael:

Seo an chéad bhliain do Choiste Ard Mhacha, atá lonnaithe i gCathair Ard Mhacha, bheith san iomaíocht. Is léir go ndearna siad an-impressiún ar na moltóirí.  Cludaíonn obair an choiste seo gach réimse den phleanáil teangaa agus arís béim faoi leith ar an óige.  Tá an fhiontraíocht le braith go láidir ar chlár oibre an choiste agus iad i mbun siopa, forbairt aipeanna agus pleananna ollmhóra acu le cultúrlanna ilfheidhmeach a oscailt ar an gcathair gan moill.

More than €120,000 was presented in prizes at the annual Glór an Gael awards ceremony on Saturday 29 March in Clontarf in Dublin. 350 Irish language representatives from groups across Ireland, and from as faraway as Canada and New York, along with students from University language societies gathered for the annual event.

For the fisrt time ever the event was broadcast or ‘streamed’ live on the internet allowing overseas visitors to ‘attend’ and take part.

Junior Minister for the Gaeltacht, Dinny Mc Ginley TD awarded the prizes while the main sponsors, including Foras na Gaeilge and Údaras na Gaeltachta were also present.

Speaking at the event, Lorcán Mac Gabhann Leader of Glór na nGael said:

This is the first year that Cairde Armagh has been in contention for a major prize and we are delighted that they have won the 1^st Prize for communities over 10,000 peple. The work of this committee covers all aspects of language planning with special emphasis on youth. Innovation and business is central to their work program , with a shop, building Apps and plands to buld a multi purpose cultural centre in the near future.

D’eagraigh CAIRDE Teo dhá chaint an-suimiúil ar na mallaibh le cur in iúl don mhórphobal go bhfuil an Ghaeilge ar fail d’achan chuid den phobal anseo in Éirinn. Thug an grúpa cuireadh don Dr Ian Malcolm le labhairt ar an chaidreamh idir Aontachas agus an Ghaeilge. Is ball de choiste comhairleach Aonach Mhacha é Ian a bhfuil Gaeilge líofa aige agus tá sé bródúil as a oidhreacht protastúnach, aontachtach agus Briotanach.

Labhair Ian ar an eispéireas a bhí aige féin agus é ag foghlaim na Gaeilge agus na deiseanna a fuair sé mar gheall ar an teanga, ó thaobh fostaíochta de, ó thaobh na gné sóisialta de agus na céadta daoine atá é i ndiaidh bualadh leo. Thagair Dr Malcolm do logainmneacha agus d’ainmneacha na mbailte fearainn a thagann ón Ghaeilge agus a shuim féin sna meirgí a iompraítear ag paráidí na bfear buí ina bhaile dúchais féin ar an Lorgain, agus ainm an bhaile fearainn ar taispeáint go bródúil orthu. Leag caint spreagúil Ian béim ar an Ghaeilge mar theanga nach bhfuil polaitíocht ar bith bainteach leis, nach mbaineann sé le pobal amháin agus gur chóir dúinn uilig bheith bródúil aisti. Leoga, bhí baint láidir ag neart protastúnach le hathbheochan na Gaeilge go mall sa 19ú aois agus go luath sa 20ú aois.

Sula ndeachaigh Ian ar an ardán, fuair a raibh i láthair léargas fíorshuimiúil ar thionchar na Gaeilge ar an Bhéarla mar a labhraítear é in Ard Mhacha. Léirigh Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, bainisteoir réigiúnda Gael Linn agus cathaoirleach CAIRDE Teo agus Aonach Mhacha neart samplaí d’fhocail Ghaeilge atá sa chanúint áitiúil den Bhéarla; focail mar smithereens, brogue, craic, smashing agus neart eile. Cuireann an mórchlár Gaeilge is deireanaí ó fheachtas Líofa na Roinne Cultúrtha ar Bhóthar Choillidh Leith an teachtaireacht chéanna in iúl. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an fheachtas Líofa daoine ó achan chúlra sa tír a spreagadh le tiomantas pearsanta a thabhairt líofacht a bhaint amach sa Ghaeilge roimh 2015. Más mian leat tuilleadh eolais a fháil ar an Ghaeilge in Ard Mhacha, dean teagmháil le Seán ar 028 3751 5229 nó sean@cairdeteo.com.

Local Irish language group CAIRDE Teo organised two talks on Wednesday evening to highlight the Irish language as a language which welcomes all sections of the community here in the north of Ireland. The group invited guest speaker Dr Ian Malcolm to Armagh to talk about the relationship between Unionism and the Irish language. Ian, who is a member of the advisory committee of Armagh’s cultural centre Aonach Mhacha, is a fluent Irish speaker and language activist who is proud to be protestant, unionist and British.

Ian spoke of his own experience of learning the Irish language and the opportunities it presented to him, both for employment and the social aspect and meeting hundreds of people with similar interests. Dr Malcolm reflected on local placenames and townland names, which come from the Irish language, and his own fascination with the banners carried at loyal order parades in his hometime of Lurgan, with the townland name proudly displayed on the banners. Ian’s inspirational talk emphasised that the Irish language is non-political and does not belong to any one community and that we should all be proud of the language. Indeed, many protestants were deeply involved in the revival of the Irish language in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

Ian’s talk was preceded by an interesting insight into the influence of the Irish language on the English language spoken in Armagh. Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, regional manager for Gael Linn and chairperson of CAIRDE Teo and Aonach Mhacha illustrated numerous examples of Irish words being borrowed into the local dialect of English, including smithereens, brogue, craic, smashing and many more. The latest Irish language billboard on the Killyleagh Road which advertises the Department of Culture’s Líofa campaign reinforces Réamonn’s message. The Líofa campaign aims to encourage people from all traditions on this island to make a personal commitment to sign up to become fluent in Irish by 2015. If you would like to find out more about learning Irish in Armagh, contact Seán on 028 3751 5229 or sean@cairdeteo.com.

D’fhreastail breis agus ceathracha duine as Ard Mhacha ar thuras thart ar cheann de na hionaid thurasóireachta is suimiúla in Éirinn ar na mallaibh. Mar chuid de Sheachtain na Gaeilge in Ard Mhacha, d’eagraigh CAIRDE Teo turas bus go hiarsmalann agus reilig Ghlas Naíon i mBaile Átha Cliath, áit ina bhfuil breis agus milliún scéalta curtha sa talamh sin. Tá an iarsmalann ar an chéad iarsmalann reilige riamh ar domhan agus tá roinnt duaiseanna idirnáisiúnta buaite acu as na taispeántais shuimiúla, turais threoraithe, drámaí agus imeachtaí speisialta. Is san áit adhlactha seo atá roinnt mhaith de na fir agus mná a mhúnlaigh stair na hÉireann. Is féidir le cuairteoirí fodhlaim faoi stair agus faoi shaol chuid de na daoine is clúití in Éirinn atá curtha i measc an 1.5 milliún duine atá sa reilig seo. Chomh maith leis na pearsaí is iomráití i stair chorraitheach na hÉireann, tá cuid de na fathaigh liteartha, pearsaí spóirt, ceoltóirí agus aisteoirí is cáiliúla curtha san áit seo.

I dteannta an turais ar an reilig, thug na haíonna as Ard Mhacha cuairt ar na taispeántais bhuana atá san iarsmalann chomh maith leis an taispeántas speisialta céid a rinne comóradh ar bhunú Arm Cathartha na hÉireann agus Óglaigh na hÉireann. Ba é an Gaeilgeoir agus treoraí Paddy Gleeson a ghlac an turas thart ar an iarsmalann agus an reilig agus léirigh sé an paisean agus an díograis atá aige do na scéalta a bhaineann le Glas Naíon.

Ag tosú ag tuama Uí Chonaill, d’fhoghlaim cuairteoirí Ard Mhacha faoi bhunú an náisiúin, ag tabhairt cuairte ar O’Donovan Rossa, Parnell, Mac Easmuinn, Larkin, Markievicz, Sheey-Skeffington, De Valera agus Mícheál Ó Coileáin sular amharc siad ar na uaigheanna na ndaoine sin a throid ar son saoirse na hÉireann tríd an 19^ú agus an 20^ú céad. Chonaic na cuairteoirí an móruaigh calair, na huaigheanna Maigdiléana agus an créamatóiriam sular thug siad cuairt ar na ballaí arda agus túir faire atá thart ar Ghlas Naíon, a raibh in ainm is a bheidh ag cur bac ar ghadaithe uaighe teacht ar chorpáin úra. D’fhoghlaim said faoi stair na reilgeoirí agus an talamh uafásach a bhí ann. Tá neart daoine eile clúiteacha as Baile Átha Cliath curtha ann, ina measc Breandán Ó Beacháin, James Joyce agus Lúc Ó Ceallaigh.

Ós rud é go raibh muintir Ard Mhacha ar cuairt ar Lá Idirnáisiúnta na mBan, thug an grúpa cuairt ar uaigh na mbanlaochra mar Anne Devlin, Celia Larkin, Countess Markievicz, Margaret Burke Sheridan, Sinéad De Valera agus Maud Gonne. Is féidir le Glas Naíon turas ar leith  chur ar fáil má iarrtar é le ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar na réabhlóidí mná agus banlaochra.

D’ith na cuairteoirí lón ag caifé na hiarsmalainne sula ndeachaigh said ar aghaidh chuig an teach tábhairne iomráiteach ‘Gravediggers’ ar imeall na reilige. Níor tháinig mórán athraithe ar an teach tábhairne le 150 bliain agus tá an-dúil ag an réalta scannáin Meiriceánach Brad Pitt ann. Roinn an grúpa roinnt scéalta ón lá thar cúpla deoch agus d’imigh siad arís ar an bhealach ar ais go hArd Mhacha le neart eolais ar stair na hÉireann.

A forty strong group from Armagh City embarked on a tour of one of Ireland’s most fascinating tourist attractions last weekend. As part of ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’ (Irish language week) in Armagh, CAIRDE Teo organised a coach trip to Glasnevin’s award winning museum and cemetery in Dublin where over one million stories are buried in the ground. Glasnevin is the world’s first cemetery museum and has won numerous international awards for its engaging exhibitions, guided tours, re-enactments and special events. This unique Victorian burial place is the final resting place of the men and women who have helped shape Ireland’s past and present. Visitors can explore the history and the lives of some of the most famous personalities in Irish history who rest among the more than 1 ½ million people that are buried within the grounds. As well as the most celebrated historical characters from Ireland’s turbulent past, there are the remains of literary giants, sports personalities, musicians and actors.

In addition to the cemetery tour, the Armagh visitors enjoyed the permanent exhibitions in the museum as well as the centenary exhibitions to commemorate the foundation of the Irish Citizen Army and the Irish Volunteers. Irish language speaker and tour guide Paddy Gleeson conducted  the first tour of the museum and cemetery entirely in the Irish language, as part of Glasnevin’s ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’ programme. Paddy had an infectious and passionate enthusiasm  for the many stories that are associated with Glasnevin.

Beginning with O’Connell’s tomb, the Armagh visitors journeyed through the story of the birth of the Irish nation, visiting the graves of O’Donovan Rossa, Parnell, Casement, Larkin, Markievicz, Sheey-Skeffington, De Valera and Michael Collins before admiring the many commemorative tributes to people who fought for Irish independence throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries. The visitors also witnessed the cholera pit, the Magdalen graves and the crematorium before exploring the high walls and watchtowers surrounding Glasnevin, designed to deter the grave robbers who were keen to get their hands on the fresh corpses. They also learned about the history of the gravediggers and the poor ground they worked with. The remains of other famous Dubliners including Brendan Behan, James Joyce and Luke Kelly also reside within the cemetery and were of particular interest to many of the Armachians.

As the Armagh group’s excursion coincided with International Women’s Day, the group paid particular attention to the graveside stories of heroines such as Anne Devlin, Celia Larkin, Countess Markievicz, Margaret Burke Sheridan, Sinéad De Valera and Maud Gonne among others. A specialised tour is provided at Glasnevin upon request that celebrates the female rebels, romantics and heroines of Glasnevin.

The travelling party enjoyed lunch at the museum café before embarking on the short walk to the world-renowned ‘Gravediggers’ pub at the edge of the cemetery. The Gravediggers pub is a Dublin institution. This famous boozer has hardly changed in its 150-year history, and one of its chief attractions is the old world ‘film set’ decor. Loved by many, including Hollywood star Brad Pitt, for its spit-and-sawdust simplicity, it is a must see attraction in its own right. After sharing many stories and anecdotes from the day over a few refreshments, the group set off on the return journey to Armagh enriched by a unique trip through the trials, celebrations and tribulations of Ireland’s past.

CAIRDE Teo, the Irish language promotional company based in Armagh City, has launched a packed programme of events for ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge 2014’. Seachtain na Gaeilge (Eng: Irish Language Week), or SnaG as it is now better known, is a national festival catering for people with a passion for the Irish language. You don’t need to be fluent to join in the fun as there are events for every level of competency.

Dublin footballer Ciarán Kilkenny, TV and Radio Presenter Lynette Fay &TG4 star Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill are this year’s festival ambassadors! You will see them throughout the festival in the media and around the country promoting the Irish language. Armagh Planetarium – which itself provides astronomy shows in the Irish language – recently hosted perhaps the universe’s most famous Irish language ambassador, Commander Chris Hadfield of the International Space Station. Commander Hadfield made history by being the first ever person to tweet in Irish from space!

As you can see from the list of events above, there is no shortage of Irish language events going on in Armagh. Local activities will kick off on Monday 3^rd March with the official launch and an invitation from CAIRDE Teo to register with the Líofa campaign.Líofa is an initiative which aims to motivate you to pledge to become ‘Líofa’ or fluent in the Irish Language by 2015. Cultural Minister Carál Ní Chuilín launched the campaign in September 2011 with the aim of engaging 1000 people to embark on the Líofa challenge and achieve Gold Fáinne level in spoken Irish by 2015. Such is the interest across the north (and beyond) that this target has been revised to aim to ensure that 5000 more people are fluent in Irish by 2015. So come along to Armagh City Shopping Centre on Monday 3^rd March and sign up for the challenge or register online at: http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/language-cultural-diversity-r08/liofa_introduction.htm

On Tuesday 4^th March, Gael Linn will be hosting COIRM 2014 in the Marketplace Theatre Armagh. Coirm festivals are organised throughout the country in theatres with first class facilities. Each school performs a variety show of no more than 20 minutes duration. Children participating may come from different classes and there is no age limit. To enhance their enjoyment of the day Gael Linn will provide a short performance by professional artistes. Participating children receive a memento of their day at Coirm. To ensure an Irish language ethos at the festivals, Coirm is aimed primarily at Gaeltacht schools and Gaelscoileanna. However, other primary schools are invited to participate if the pupils are prepared to make a commitment to speak Irish at all times. Coirm aims to promote the use of Irish among primary school pupils by providing a stage for them to display their talents in a non-competitive Irish-speaking environment.

For anyone who has never visited Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum in Dublin, keep Saturday 8^th March free in your diary. Glasnevin tells the story of the birth of the Irish nation and contains the graves of many of Ireland’s most prominent national figures. These include the graves of Daniel O’Connell, Charles Stewart Parnell, Michael Collins, Éamon de Valera, Jim Larkin, Maude Gonne, Kevin Barry, Roger Casement, Constance Markievicz, Pádraig Ó Domhnaill, Seán MacBride, Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, Frank Ryan, Brendan Behan, Christy Brown and Luke Kelly of the Dubliners.

As well as a bilingual guided tour of the cemetery, CAIRDE has arranged a visit to the awarding winning onsite museum which currently houses a fantastic exhibition celebrating the centenary of the formation of the Irish Citizen Army and the Irish Volunteers. Neither would any visit to Glasnevin Cemetery be complete without a social visit to the world famous Gravediggers Inn at the edge of the cemetery – not to be missed!

The Irish language has been much in the news in recent times and the publicity has not always been good. However, CAIRDE Teo ascribes to Oscar Wilde’s assertion that there is only one thing worse than being talked about …. In recent times the Irish language has been spoken by US President Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth of England and even beyond the earth’s atmosphere. With that in mind, we have organised a talk on Wednesday 12^th March at 7pm, featuring Ian Malcolm, an author (‘Towards Inclusion: Protestants and the Irish language’), self-professed unionist and Irish language enthusiast. The talk will be preceded by a presentation from Réamonn Ó Ciaráin on the influence of Gaelic on the English language spoken in the north of Ireland.

Rith 2014 is a Basque-inspired national Irish language festival that will take place between the 7-15 March 2014 during Seachtain na Gaeilge. A 1000km course has been laid out for a massive cross-county relay race, running from morning to night, starting in Baile Bhuirne (Ballyvourney, Cork) to Béal Feirste (Belfast) over a 9 day period, with thousands of people taking part across the 200 towns/townlands on route.The relay will be coming through Armagh City on Friday 14^th March and hundreds of runners will carry a hand carved baton with a concealed message hidden inside from Bunscoil Ard Mhacha through Armagh City Centre, finishing up at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh.

Rith 2014 is an enjoyable and innovative way for communities to celebrate the Irish language and culture in a visual way across Ireland. Rith 2014 is also a fund-raising activity, with a special fund established as a result of Rith that will be used to promote the development of Irish in the community. Encourage your sports club, youth group, community association to join the relay and raise funds for both themselves and the Irish language.

In 2013, CAIRDE commissioned independent Irish language media company Macha Media and Digital Key Productions to build and develop two new mobile, digital GPS Apps for Armagh’s most understated tourist attraction – the world heritage site at Eamhain Mhacha (Navan Fort). With funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Armagh Council, CAIRDE Teo has developed the new service for the benefit of both the local community and tourists to the area. The Apps will contain multi-media resources in the form of adventure games triggered by satellite GPS.  Downloading the Apps is free of charge and they are designed to sit on iPhone, iPad and android devices. After the launch of the bilingual Apps on Friday 14^th March at the Navan Centre, they will be downloadable from the CAIRDE Teo and Armagh City and District Council’s websites and will be available in the Irish language as well as in English.

A brand new SnaG App is also available to download now on iTunes and Google Play! It’s never been easier to find Irish language events near you. So why notjoin the thousands of people who are getting behind the Irish language revival, not only here in Ireland but all over the world (and beyond)! For more information on any of the above events contact Seán or Gearóid on 028 37515229 or email sean@cairdeteo.com . Alternatively, check out our website www.cairdeteo.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Tá CAIRDE Teo, an eagraiocht Ghaeilge i gcathair Ard Mhacha, i ndiaidh clár imeachtaí a lainseáil do Sheachtain na Gaeilge 2014. Féile náisiúnta atá i Seachtain na Gaeilge a fhreastalaíonn ar dhaoine a bhfuil grá acu don Ghaeilge. Ní gá bheith líofa le páirt a ghlacadh ann nó bíonn imeachtaí d’achan leibhéal cumais sa teanga.

Is iad na hambasadóirí d’fhéile na bliana seo ná Ciarán Kilkenny, imreoir peile le Baile Átha Cliath, an láithreoir raidió Lynette Fay, agus an láithreoir teilifíse Máire Treasa Ní Dhubhghaill! Feicfidh sibh an triúr acu i rith na féile sna meáin agus thart ar an tír, iad triúr ag déanamh a ndícheall leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn.

Is cinnte nach mbeidh pobal na Gaeilge díomhaoin leis an iliomad imeachtaí ag tarlú in Ard Mhacha. Cuirfear tús leis na himeachtaí in Ard Mhacha ar an Luan an 3ú Márta nuair a lainseálfar an fhéile go hoifigiúil agus tabharfaidh CAIRDE Teo cuireadh don phobal clárú leis an fheachtas Líofa. Tionscnamh is ea é Líofa a bhfuil mar aidhm aige daoine a spreagadh le líofacht a bhaint amach sa Ghaeilge roimh 2015. Láinseáil an tAire Cultúir Carál Ní Chuilín an feachtas i mí Mheán Fómhair 2011 le 1000 duine a spreagadh tabhairt faoi dhúshlán Líofa agus leibhéal an Fháinne Óir a bhaint amach roimh 2015, ach bhí an oiread suime sa scéim i dtuaisceart na hÉireann agus níos faide anon gur cuireadh leis an sprioc seo le 5000 a mhealladh i dtreo na líofachta roimh 2015. Mar sin de, is féidir bualadh isteach chuig Ionad Siopadóireachta Chathair Ard Mhacha ar an Luan 3ú Márta le clárú don fheachtas nó is féidir clárú ar line ag: http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/language-cultural-diversity-r08/liofa_introduction.htm

Ar an Mháirt 4ú Márta, beidh Gael Linn ag cur COIRM 2014 ar an ardán in Amharclann Phlás an Mhargaidh in Ard Mhacha. Eagraítear feiseanna Coirm in amharclanna móra le rá ar fud na tíre. Cuireann achan scoil seó ilsiamsa i láthair a mhaireann 20 bomaite. Bíonn páistí ann ó ranganna difriúla agus ní bhíonn aon teorainn aoise ann. Le cur leis an sult a bhaineann na páistí as an lá, bíonn ealaíontóirí gairmiúla ann chomh maith. Tugtar suaitheantas beag do gach páiste a ghlacann páirt ann. Le hatmaisféar lánGhaelach a chinntiú ag na féilte, bíonn Coirm dírithe ar scoileanna Gaeltachta agus Gaelscoileanna den chuid is mó. Ach tugtar cuireadh do bhunscoileanna eile bheith páirteach má tá na daltaí sásta tiomantas a thabhairt Gaeilge a úsáid i rith an ama. Tá mar aidhm ag Coirm úsáid na Gaeilge a chothú agus a éascú i measc daltaí bunscoile trí ardán a chur ar fáil dóibh a gcuid buanna a chur i láthair i dtimpilleacht Ghaelach neamhiomaíoch.

Más rud é nár thug tú cuairt ar Reilig agus Iarsmalann Ghlas Naíon riamh, moltar daoibh Dé Sathairn 8ú Márta a bhreacadh síos i do dhialann. Insítear stair an náisiúin ag Glas Naíon nó tá uaigheanna ann de chuid mhór de phríomhphearsana náisiúnta na hÉireann. Ina measc sin, tá uaigheanna ann do Dhónall Ó Conaill, Charles Stewart Parnell, Mícheál Ó Coileáin, Éamon de Valera, Jim Larkin, Maude Nic Ghoinn, Caoimhín de Barra, Ruairí Mac Easmainn, Constance Markievicz, Pádraig Ó Domhnaill, Seán MacBride, Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, Frank Ryan, Breandán Ó Beacháin, Christy Brown agus Lúc Ó Ceallaigh ó The Dubliners.

Chomh maith le turas treoraithe thart ar an reilig, tá cuairt ar an iarsmalann socraithe ag CAIRDE Teo fosta, nó tá mórthaispeántas ar siúl faoi láthair le comóradh a dhéanamh ar chéad bhliain ó bunaíodh Arm Cathartha na hÉireann agus Óglaigh na hÉireann. Ar a bharr sin uilig, tabharfaidh an grúpa cuairt ar an Gravediggers Inn, ceann de na tithe tábhairne is clúití sa tír atá suite ar imeall na reilige.

Bhí an Ghaeilge i mbéal an phobail ar an nuacht ar na mallaibh agus ní bhíonn an phoiblíocht i gcónaí maith. Ach creideann CAIRDE Teo sa rud a dúirt Oscar Wilde nach bhfuil ach rud amháin atá níos measa ná daoine ag caint uirthi …. Le blianta beaga anuas, chuala muid Gaeilge ó Uachtarán Mheiriceá Barack Obama agus chuala muid Gaeilge ó Bhanríon Elizabeth Shasana agus ar ndóigh baineadh úsáid as an Ghaeilge taobh amuigh d’atmaisféar an domhain féin. Mar sin de, tá caint eagraithe againn ar an Chéadaoin 12ú Márta ar 7pm, le Ian Malcolm, údar an leabhair Towards Inclusion: Protestants and the Irish language, aontachtaí agus díograiseoir Gaeilge. Beidh Réamonn Ó Ciaráin as Gael Linn ag tabhairt cur i láthair roimh an chaint ar an tionchar a bhí ag an Ghaeilge ar an Bhéarla mar a labhraítear i dtuaisceart na hÉireann.

Féile náisiúnta Gaeilge atá i Rith 2014 a bheas ag tarlú idir 7-15 Márta 2014 i rith Sheachtain na Gaeilge. Tá cúrsa 1000km leagtha amach d’ollrith sealaíochta ó Bhaile Bhuirne i gCorcaigh go Béal Feirste thar 9 lá agus 9 oíche, leis na milte ag glacadh páirte in achan chuid den tír. Beidh an rith sealaíochta i gCathair Ard Mhacha Dé hAoine 14ú Márta agus beidh na céadta ag iompar bata sealaíochta ina bhfuil teachtaireacht on Uachtarán Mícheál D. Ó hUiginn. Cuirfear tús leis an rith in Ard Mhacha ag Bunscoil Ard Mhacha agus rachaidh siad tríd an chathair sula gcríochnóidh siad ag an Pháirc Lúthchleasa.

Bealach nuálach agus sultmhar don phobal atá in Rith 2014 le ceiliúradh breá feiceálach a dhéanamh ar an Ghaeilge agus ar an chultúr ar fud na hÉireann. Imeacht tiomsaithe airgid atá ann chomh maith, agus tá ciste speisialta ag Rith le cuidiú le forbairt na Gaeilge sa phobal. Cuirigí in iúl do chlubanna spóirt, do ghrúpaí óige agus do chumainn phobail bheith páirteach sa rith le hairgead a bhailiú dóibh féin agus don Ghaeilge.

Sa bhliain 2013, choimisiúnaigh CAIRDE na comhlachtaí meáin Macha Media agus Digital Key Productions le dhá aip digiteach GPS a fhorbairt don tseoid is luachmhaire turasóireachta in Ard Mhacha ag Eamhain Mhacha. A bhuí le maoiniú ó Chiste an Chrannnchuir Oidhreachta agus ó Chomhairle Ard Mhacha, tá an tseirbhis úr seo forbartha ag CAIRDE Teo le cur le turasóireacht do mhuintir na háite agus do chuairteoirí araon. Beidh acmhainní ilmeáin ar na haipeanna trí chluichí eachtraíochta a athróidh de réir GPS saitilíte. Ní bhíonn costas ann leis na h-aipeanna a íoslódáil agus tá siad deartha don iPhone, don iPad agus d’uirlisí android. I ndiaidh an tseolta ar an Aoine 14ú Márta ag Ionad Eamhain Mhacha, beifear in ann iad a íoslódáil ó shuíomhanna idirlín CAIRDE Teo agus Chomhairle Ard Mhacha agus beidh siad ar fáil i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla.

Tá aip úrnua SnaG ar fáil le híoslódáil anois fosta ó iTunes agus ó Google Play! Ní raibh sé chomh furasta riamh teacht ar imeachtaí Gaeilge in gar duit . Mar sin de, bígí leis na mílte atá ag tacú le hathbheochan na Gaeilge, ní amháin anseo in Éirinn ach ar fud na cruinne (agus níos faide anon)! Le tuilleadh eolais a fháil ar cheann ar bith de na himeachtaí in Ard Mhacha, dean teagmháil le Seán nó le Gearóid ar 028 37515229 nó cuir r-phost sean@cairdeteo.com . Tabhair cuairt ar ár suíomh idirlín www.cairdeteo.com nó lean muid ar Facebook nó ar Twitter.

Beidh dianchúrsa Gaeilge ar siúl sa Pháirc Lúthchleasa Dé Sathairn 22 Feabhra idir 11am agus 4pm. Beidh bunrang, meánrang agus ardrang ann ar chostas £10, agus lón san áireamh ar an chostas sin. Más mian leat áit a chur in áirithe, dean teagmháil le Seán sean@cairdeteo.com nó 028 3751 5229 le go dtig go leor bia a ordú. Bheinn buíoch dá dtiocfadh libh an scéal a chur ar aghaidh chuig duine ar bith a mbeadh suim acu.

There will be an intensive Irish language course in the Athletic Grounds in Armagh on Saturday 22 February between 11am and 4pm. There will be classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced and the cost of £10 includes lunch. If you would like to book a place, you are asked to contact Seán sean@cairdeteo.com or 028 3751 5229. It is important that I have a rough idea of numbers for lunch. Please inform anyone who may be interested or spread on Facebook or Twitter.