Lá Spraoi sa Pháirc
Rinne muid ceiliúradh ceart ar an Ghaeilge i bPáirc an Bhaile Dé Sathairn, an 1ú Deireadh Fómhair. D’fhreastail idir óg agus aosta, páistí, daoine fásta is teaghlaigh chun úsáid a bhaint as a gcúpla focal agus imeachtaí spraíúla a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge. Thosaigh an lá le seisiún ealaíne le ‘The Arty Fox’, agus ní raibh srian leis an chruthaitheacht a bhí le brath agus na páistí i mbun a gcuid saothar ealaíona! Ina dhiaidh sin, tháinig achan duine le chéile chun rang drumadóireachta a dhéanamh faoi threoir ag Maria Coleman, agus níorbh fhada go raibh ceol binn drumaí le cloisteáil timpeall na páirce. Ansin, bhí scéalaíocht ar dóigh ann ón seanchaí Gearóidín Breathnach agus faoi dheireadh an scéil, bhí siad uilig faoi dhraíocht aici. Theagasc Sarah-Marie ó ‘Pinehill Studios’ dreas damhsa hip-hop dúinn agus bhí an oiread sin spraoi ag na páistí ag rince agus ag foghlaim na céimeanna hip-hop as Gaeilge. Críochnaigh an lá le ceol traidisiúnta galánta, agus ní thig linn dearmad a dhéanamh ar an phéinteáil aghaidheanna a bhí mar chuid lárnach den lá ar fad! Ach ba é an rud is tábhachtaí ná an bhéim a chuir gach aon duine ar an teanga, agus an sáriarracht a rinne siad chun Gaeilge a labhairt nó cur lena gcúpla focal.
The Family Fun Day
We certainly held a great celebration of the Irish language at the Family Fun Day in the Town Park, on October 1st. Both young and old, children, adults and families alike were in attendance to use their cúpla focal and participate in fun activities as Gaeilge. The day began with an art session from 'The Arty Fox' and there was undoubtedly an overwhelming sense of creativity to be felt whilst the kids were creating their artistic works. Afterwards, everyone gathered together to take part in a drumming workshop, led by Maria Coleman, and it wasn't long before the tuneful sound of drums resonated through the entire park. There was then some incredible storytelling from Gearóidín Breathnach, who captivated everyone by the end of her tale. Sarah-Marie from 'Pinehill Studios' taught us a hip-hop dance routine, and the children had so much fun both learning the dances and being taught the hip-hop moves in Irish. The day finished with beautiful traditional music, and of course, we can't forget about the face-painting which was a central part of the whole day! Yet the most important thing was the emphasis every single person put on the Irish language, and the superb effort that was made to speak Irish or just learn a few new words.
Siúlóid Threoraithe sna hArdaí
I ndiaidh deireadh seachtaine gnóthach spleodrach ag Féile an Fhómhair, chríochnaigh imeachtaí na féile le siúlóid threoraithe i Mainistir na hArdaí. Ba é Séamus Doohan, bunaitheoir an chomhlachta darb ainm ‘Walking Donegal’, an treoraí don shiúlóid agus ní haon bhréag é a rá go raibh am den chéad scoth againn agus muid i mbun turais. Bhí an ghrian ag soilsiú in aer úr an fhómhair, agus bhí cainteanna suimiúla Gaeilge againn ó thús deireadh. Shiúil muid tríd coillte, tránna cúlráideacha, agus foirgnimh stairiúla faoi cheilt san fhoraois dhlúth. D’fhoghlaim achan duine faoin bhaint idir Páirc Foraoise na hArdaí is Mainistir na hArdaí leis an Phlandáil Uladh sa seachtú haois déag, na húinéirí ó shin amach, stair an cheantair go ginearálta agus an caidreamh idir áitritheoirí agus talamh is muir. Ach téann stair na páirce i bhfad níos faide siar ná an seachtú haois déag! Tá tábhacht seandálaíochta ann chomh maith le ceithre lios agus roinnt tuamaí meigiliteacha le feiceáil i gceantar na hArdaí. Tá an dúrud eolas áitiúil ag Séamus, agus bhí sé an-eolach faoi flóra agus fána na háite fosta, idir cnónna capaill, feamainn, faochain agus go leor rudaí idir eatarthu. Bhain muid uilig sult as an lá seo agus is cinnte go bhfuil muid ag súil go mór leis an chéad shiúlóid eile!
Guided Walk in Ards
After a busy, fun-filled weekend at the Autumn Festival, the events concluded with a Guided Walk in Ards Friary. Séamus Doohan, founder of the company 'Walking Donegal', was the tour guide for our walk and we certainly had a wonderful day of exploration. The sun was shining in the fresh autumn air, and we had interesting discussions as Gaeilge from beginning to end. The walk brought us through woodlands, secluded beaches and historic buildings that were hidden within the dense forests. Everyone learnt about the connection between Ards Forest Park and Ards Friary with the Ulster Plantations of the 17th century, the various owners since then, the general history of the area and the relationship inhabitants had with land and sea. But the history of the park goes much further back than the 17th century! It is of huge archaeological importance with the remains of four ringforts and a number of megalithic tombs to be spotted around the Ards area also. Séamus Doohan had a wealth of local knowledge, while being particularly knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna, he had facts about conkers, seaweed, periwinkles, and everything in between. A thoroughly enjoyable day was certainly had by all, and we can't wait until the next outing!
Oíche Ghaelach
Ar ndóigh, bhí an Oíche Ghaelach in Óstán Castle Grove mar chuid lárnach den Fhéile, ach tá alt ar leith scríofa fúithi agus tig leat é a léamh anseo: https://www.lionralc.ie/post/o%C3%ADche-ghaelach-2022
Irish Night
Of course, the Irish Night in Castle Grove Hotel was a central part of the Autumn Festival, however, there is a separate article dedicated to it which you can read here: https://www.lionralc.ie/post/o%C3%ADche-ghaelach-2022