An Scoil Gheimhridh - "Sure you couldn't beat it"

Labhair mng.ie, Conor Day faoi píobaireacht, An Scoil Gheimhridh agus a dhéanamh conaí i nGaoth Dobhair.

Conor, an cuimhneach leat an chéad uair a chuala tú na píopaí uileann?

"Yes, I remember hearing Liam o Flynn playing “Shee Beag Shee Mhór”, and that was me hooked… I didn’t start the pipes until I was 20, which is kind of late. Growing up, Irish music was always played at home, Plantxy, The Chieftains, the Mc Peakes and The Furey’s, so traditional Irish music was probably in my head".

Tá tú ag teagasc ranganna píopaí mar pháirt de Scoil Gheimhridh, ach bíonn tú teagasc na píopaí sa Chrannog chomh maith, de mar atá ag eirí leat?

I will be teaching beginner uileann piping classes from the 28th Dec to the 31st (Book here). And, yes, I’ve been teaching the pipes at the Crannog for about 18 months. I have 4 pupils, all girls, that isn’t the norm in piping. They are all really good players and I really enjoy teaching them. One pupil won a scholarship for a week’s tuition at the Willie Clancy summer school this year.

Inish dúinn faoin "Coirm na bPíobairí" atá mar pháirt den Scoil Gheimhridh?

"Ciarán Mac Fheidhlimidh will be hosting a piping concert in association with Na Píobairí Uileanna with Gay Mc Keon (NPU), Síle Friel (Friel sisters) and myself. Ciarán is one of the top pipers going at the moment and a pleasure to listen to. I'm really looking forward to this event". (info below)

As well as teaching beginner piping classes throughout the winter school, there will be a chance to “Try the pipes” – you’ve done this before, what kind of response do you get?

"Yes this is maybe my 3rd or 4th time, it’s actually how the piping classes got started here in Gaoth Dobhair. Everyone enjoys it, and everyone is welcome and give it a go on the 28th.

An bhfuil comhairle ar bith agat do nduine tá ag smaointiú gabhal i gceann na bpíopaí (don chéad uair) ?

"Get stuck in, practice as much as possible, listen to all the old masters, Tommy Reck, Séamus Ennis, Willie Clancy, Leo Rowsome and also today’s greats who are too many to list - I think the standard of piping has never been better. I will also be teaching beginner classes as part of the winter school. 4 classes over 4 days.

Roghnaigh tú Gaoth Dobhair le conaí dhéanamh ann, an dáthairbhe go mothaíonn tú inspioraid sa cheantar?

Trá Machaire Gáthlán

"I love the outdoors, I find the natural wild beauty of Gaoth Dobhair inspiring and I suppose it does inspire you musically too. I’m originally from Belfast but always came to Donegal on holidays. I have more time here, not so much pressure like you would have in the city. I had two great musicians call to my house last week - we had a great piping session that afternoon you just wouldn’t get that in the city".

Anything exciting in the ‘pipeline’? :)

I brought the pipes round the local schools, and was really surprised at the response, so many children wanted to play them and loved the sound too, so we plan to start a new group of piping students in the New Year.

Do dhuine na raibh ag an Scoil Gheimhridh cheanna féin, caide'n cuir síos a dhéanfá air an fhéile don duine sin?

"An Scoil Gheimhridh has something for everyone, whether you’re a musical tourist, a seasoned player, or just learning. And this year there's guided walks, Irish language classes, and it all takes place in an area of outstanding natural beauty, sure you couldn’t beat it".

Ar Tuilleadh eolas ar an clár iomlán anseo www.scoilgheimhridh.com

Lá Ceoil ar an tSean Nós - Loinneog Lúnasa 2014 - Gaoth Dobhair

Mar pháirt de Loinneog Lúnasa 2014 –

Tá ceardlann ar an tsean-nós, eagraithe ag Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, ceoltóir agus cumadóir áitiúil a bhfuil clú agus cáil air sa bhaile agus thar lear.

In éineacht le hÉamonn Ó Donnchadha, Saileog Ní Cheannabháin agus Connie Mhary Mhicí – cuirfidh na ceoltóirí duchasacha sean-nóis seo ceardlann ceoil den scoth ar fáil san Ghailearaí i nGaoth Dobhair ar an 9ú Lúnasa 10.30r.n. – 3.30i.n.

Leis an cheathrar thuas  rannpháirteach, beidh 2 amhrán a chur i láthair  ag gach duine acu, ag tosnú le stíl Dhún na nGall, le Doimnic, leis na hamhráin ‘Mo chreach, mo shúir” agus ‘Nuair a bhí mise óg’. Beidh Éamonn Ó Donnchadha  againn ansin le stíl Chonamara  agus na hamhráin ‘Beal Átha na hAbhann’ agus ‘Máirín Staunton’ agus fosta Saileog Ní Cheannabháin le– ‘Sadhbh Ní Bhruinnealach’ agus ‘MeiricÉa’. Tiocfaidh Connie Mhary Mhicí ar deireadh agus é ag ceol – ‘Is fada liom uaim’ agus ‘Réice Chairn tSiall’.

Ag deireadh na ceardlainne, beidh 8 n-amhrán le meascán stíle, foghlamtha ag na freastalaithe. Is cuma cé acú ceoltóir le taithí thú nó duine a bhfuil suim acú sa Sean-nós tá an ceardlann seo foirstéanach do gach leibhéal. Níos moille ar an lá céanna sin, beidh ceolchoirm leis na ceoltóirí sean-nóis seo i gcuideachta Gay Mc Keown mar aoi spéisialta ar na píopaí uilleann.

Ní seo an chéad cheardlann sean-nóis atá eagraithe ag Doimnic. Rinne sé  ceann a réachtáil i  gCultúrlann Mhic Réachtáin i mBéal Feirste, níos luaithe sa bhlian ina raibh níos mó na caoga duine páirteach ann..

Tá Doimnic ag ceol sean-nóis ó bhí sé ina ghasúr óg, ba ghnáth lena mhathair, Nellie Eoghan John Sheimí, ranganna a chuir ar fáil agus bhíodh Doimnic léi i gconaí.

Sa lá atá inniú ann bíonn Doimnic thart ar an domhan ag ceol sa stíl sean-nóis - tá sé go direach ar ais ó na Stáit Aontaithe. Faigheann sé cuireadh chuig féilte i dTír na mBascach, agus sa Ghearmain. Tá MA sa cheol aige agus ceithre cheirnín seolta go data aige. Bíonn Doimnic ag stiúradh cóir chomh maith, anseo sa bhaile agus I mBéal Feirste, áit a bhfuil leainúint iontach aige. Rinne sé an ceol do 3 leabhar amhráin – “ Ící Pící”, “Báidín Fheilimidh” agus “Ní thuigim daoine fásta”.

Deir Doimnic – “Sílim go gcaithfidh muid iarracht a dhéanamh an stíl sean-nóis a chuir chun cinn – bíonn daoine ó gach cóirneál den domhan ag mo cheardlainn sean-nóis. Tá mé bróduil a bheith páirteach i Loinneog Lúnasa, féile atá ag ceiliúradh an traidisúin beo saibhir amhranaíocht atá againn sa cheanntar Gaeltachta seo”.

Lá iomlán le ceoltóirí den scoth ar fáil ar €20 agus €8 ar an cheolchoirm a bheas ann an tráthnóna sin. Cuir d’áit in áirithe go luath fríd an Chrannog.

Cliceáil anseo do eolas ar Flybreak Loinneog Lúnasa ó BÁC agus Glaschú.

Press release - Step outside and feel alive this spring

Step outside and feel alive this spring.
Press release

For immediate release: 7th Feb 2014

Mng presents the Rock agus Roam Spring Extravaganza 2014. Taking place across west Donegal on the 29th and 30th March, this is an experience not to be missed.

Founded just last year by local entrepreneur Moira ní Ghallachóir, mng has rapidly grown to become one of the most successful tourism enterprises in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Dedicated to designing adventure and culture-based experiences for the visitor. The Rock agus Roam package allows you to get a real taste of this incredible corner of Ireland.

The Rock agus Roam Spring Extravaganza challenges you to shake off the cobwebs, step outside and feel alive. The weekend is specifically designed so you can try a vibrant selection of outdoor activities, including rock climbing on Cruit Island with one of Irelands most famous climbers. Sea kayaking along the wild Atlantic coastline. Sailing around the Donegal Gaeltacht islands in a traditional lug rig or hill walking and navigation on the Poisoned Glen, where the golden eagles soar.

All of this exhilarating activity takes place in outstandingly beautiful locations where a team of local professional instructors will share their hidden gems and folklore with you as you go. Donegal is a paradise for outdoor activities, what are you waiting for, come and see for yourself.

You will stay in one of Ireland’s best Eco Friendly Hostels, nestled at the foot of the mighty Errigal Mountain as part of this exclusive weekend package. With plenty of alternative activities, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. And being in the Gaeltacht, you’ll have a chance to dust off your Irish or even learn a few new words. It has never been a more important time to show some love and attention to our native Irish language.

With an extra hour of daylight to mark the start of spring, this is going to be an amazing weekend that is guaranteed to put a real spring in our step for 2014.

Moira is available by phone or email to answer any questions and happy to offer group discounts or help you design your own experience.

We look forward to seeing you there, and remember, you never know who you’ll might.

Ends.

For further Information.

E: moira@mng.ie
M: 0831230529
W: www.mng.ie

Local Celtic tale re-enacted at The Evil Eye Festival Falcarragh

Every place name has a story but the parish of Cloch Cheann Fhaola has a very unique Celtic tale that involves pagan gods, evil rulers, magical cows and druid’s spells!

The Evil Eye Gathering festival from the 23rd-25th August will tell the story of how Cloch Cheann Fhaola got its name. Through live dance, battles, music, and outdoor drama re-enactments the mythological tale of Balor of the Evil Eye will be brought to life.

Festival director, Kathleen Gallagher felt that it was a story worth telling. “It’s a fantastic story that wouldn’t be out of place in a Tolkien book. However, even locally, it’s not that well known and we thought that it would be fun to tell it through a number of different art mediums. As a former member of Cosa Meata, the local carnival group, I knew that the talent and resources required to recreate this story in an innovative way was available in our own community”.

The festival crew are harnessing all local and countywide resources to make this festival happen. Between making art sculptures, designing costumes, giant puppets and carrying out drumming workshops, the creative effort and community spirit going into this festival is truly inspiring. Funds for the festival came about in a creative way as well, when Kathleen was asked to organise a “Couch to 5K” running club locally. There was a great response to the event, and all monies raised were put towards the cost of organising The Evil Eye festival!

The weekend will kick off with a vibrant procession on the eve of Friday the 23rd August to introduce the story’s characters through giant puppets, art sculptures and stilt walkers. Balor’s army will be transformed into a samba band and will lead Balor into town to steal the Glas Gaibleann cow. A quest will take place on Saturday to find Lugh Mor and Lugh Beag – the hero in the story! If you aren’t familiar with the story you can join the local actors who will re enact various scenes in Ballyconnell Forest throughout the weekend. There will also be a guided tour of Balor’s stronghold on Tory Island.

Festival goers will witness the slaying of Balor by the pagan God and celebrate the victory with music and wine. The culmination to the festival is an Irish dance battle which will see Lugh of the legendary Tuatha De Dannan defeat the Formorian king.

Multi award winning actor Diarmuid De Faoite had this to say about the Evil Eye Festival “The mythological gap in Ireland's calendar has been filled with Féile na Súile Nimhe/ The Evil Eye Gathering, a festival dedicated to the universal language of mythology, emanating from the great stone itself to move our soul. Balor's Story is the dramatically stunning landscape of Donegal, embracing us in its beauty and whispering to us the story of our humanity. Local and universal, rooted and engaging, Féile na Súile Nimhe/The Evil Eye Gathering is our ancient past and living present in all its wild beauty”.

Unlike any other festival the area has showcased before, it promises to be a magical weekend of, heritage, music, dance, drama, mythology and fun for all the family.

Bígí linn ag Féile na Súile Nimhe!

One of the characters who will bring this Celtic tale to life at The Evil Eye Festival

All the costumes made by the festival crew.  

Full festival programme, click picfor facebook page

10 gcúis le teacht chuig Féile Tóstail “Loinneog Lúnasa” i nGaoth Dobhair

10 gcúis le teacht chuig  Féile Tóstail “Loinneog Lúnasa” i nGaoth Dobhair in Iarthuaisceart Dhún na nGall, ina bhfuil níos mó ná 170 imeachtaí Tóstail againn.

Deir ball de choiste na féile, Cathal Ó Gallchóir, tá níos mó i gceist le Loinneog Lúnasa ná ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar oidhreacht chultúrtha shaibhir an cheantair. “Bhí muid ag iarraidh féile a chruthú a dhéanfadh, ní amháin ceiliúradh ar an traidisiún ach a chothódh agus a spreagfadh ceoltóirí agus amhránaithe leis an traidisiún sin a thabhairt leo. Sin an fáth go bhfuil ceardlanna, ceolchoirmeacha agus seisiúin eagraithe againn leis an chuid is fearr de cheol na hÉireann. Tá bród millteanach ar Loinneog Lúnasa scileanna cuimsitheacha an cheantair a chur chun tosaigh”.

Má tá cúis de dhíth ort le teacht, seo chugat deich gcinn.

Is príomh-imeacht Tóstail na Gaeltachta í Loinneog Lúnasa, urraithe ag Údarás na Gaeltachta, Tionscnamh Lugh, Foras na Gaeilge, Fáilte Ireland agus Tóstal Dhún na nGall.

Beidh teacht le cheile speisialta de phíobairí uillinn a bhéas mar pháirt de réimse imeachtaí eagraithe i gcomhar leis Na Píobairí Uilinn. Beidh píobairí ó i bhfad is i gcéin ag taisteal le freastal ar cheardlanna le Gay McKeon, Tommy Keane, Emmet Gill agus Seán Óg Potts.

Beidh Moya Brennan, amhránaí clúiteach le Clannad, ag pilleadh ar a baile dúchais do choirm ceoil i dTábhairne Leo, áit a mbeidh sí ag gabháil cheoil i gcuideachta baill óga dá clann féin.

Tá Maighread agus Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, iar-bhaill den sárghrúpa Skara Brae ag bualadh i gcuideachta an chruitire Laoise Kelly i dTeach Hiúdaí Beag. (a bhfuil cliú air mar an áit a mbíonn na seisiúin is fearr in Éirinn!)

Ó tharla go raibh Gaoth Dobhair ar an ghearrliosta de na háiteacha is fearr le cuairt a thabhairt orthu in Éirinn sa phobalbhreith is déanaí san Irish Times agus ó fógraíodh go bhfuil an méid is mó Bratacha Gorma bainte amach ag Dún na nGall as na contaetha uilig sa tír, níl am níos fearr ann le cuairt a thabhairt ar an cheantar bríomhar Gaeltachta is faide thiar thuaidh in Éirinn.

Mar chuid de athbheochan thraidisiún na gcurach, beidh taispeántas rása curach le coimhéad, no le páirt a ghlacadh ann, ó ché Mhachaire Gathlán. Le Cumann na gCurach Gaoth Dobhair agus Seoltoireacht Selkie.

Beidh taispeántas “Glass Album sa Ghailearaí i nGaoth Dobhair ina mbeidh ealaín úr ag ealaíontóirí comhaimseartha ar nós Walead Beshty, Matt Collishaw agus Eoghan Mc Tigue. Faigheann siad inspioráid ó chartlann grianghraf leis an ghrianghrafadóir as Doire James Glass maidir leis an cás cúirte do dhúnmharú a cuireadh in éadan an Ath. Mac Pháidín as Gaoth Dobhair le linn Cogadh na Talún i 1889.

Cuirfidh an grúpa An Crann Óg agus Aoife Ní Fhearraigh tús leis an fhéile le coirm bhríomhar ceoil ag Teach Mhicí – an gnó teaghlaigh is sine sa pharóiste, áit a raibh bainis ag Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh agus Frankie Kennedy agus ar bhuail Phil Coulter “The Town I Loved so Well” ar an phianó san óstán. Agus ná déan dearmad go bhfaighfidh tú pionta Guinness den scoth ann fosta!

Beidh léiriú speisialta den scannán faisnéise “An Píobaire Mór” i gcomhar le hAcadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. Rugadh Tarlach Mac Suibhne i gContae Dhún na nGall agus tá sé curtha i reilig Mhachaire Gathlán. Bhain sé cliú agus cáil amach nuair a ghlac sé páirt sa World Exhibition i Chicago agus bhain Craobh an Domhain sa Phíobaireacht.

Beidh ceardlanna damhsa agus amhránaíochta ar an tsean- nós le Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde agus Jacqui Bradley agus céilithe agus léirithe damhsa seit i dTeach Jack ar an Ghlaisigh.

Agus, má tá ocras ort ina dhiaidh sin uilig, gheobhaidh tú an bia mara is fearr sa Ghaeltacht i dTeach Sheáin Óig.

Bígí linn ag  Loinneog Lúnasa 2013.

10 Reasons to come to Loinneog Lúnasa in Gaoth Dobhair

Loinneog Lúnasa is a Gathering Festival in Gaoth Dobhair in Northwest Donegal.

If you needed a reason to come, here’s 10!

According to festival committee member Cathal Ó Gallachóir, Loinneog Lúnasa is more than a celebration of the locality’s rich cultural heritage. “We wanted to create a festival that would not only celebrate our tradition, but also nurture and encourage musicians and singers to carry the tradition forward. This is why we have organised workshops, recitals and concerts with the best of Irish music. Loinneog Lúnasa is proud to promote such a rich tapestry of local talent”.

1. Loinneog Lúnasa 2013 is a key Gathering Event for the Gaeltacht, sponsored by Udaras Na Gaeltachta, Tionscnamh Lugh, Foras na Gaelige and Donegal Gathering.

2. There will be a special gathering of uilleann pipers who will participate in a series of events organised in conjunction with Na Píobairí Uilleann. Pipers will travel from near and far to attend performances and workshops with Gay McKeon, Tommy Keane, Emmet Gill and Sean Óg Potts. Full tionól info below.

3. Moya Brennan, internationally famed singer with Clannad, will return to her home stage for a concert in Leo’s Tavern, where she will perform along with her talented young family in what promises to be a musical night to remember.

4. Maighréad and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, former members of legendary folk group Skara Brae, are teaming up with harpist Laoise Kelly for an intimate performance as Gaeilge in Hiúdaí Beag’s pub. (renowned for having the best traditional Irish music sessions in the country!)

5. With the recent appearance of Gaoth Dobhair in the shortlist of best places to visit in Ireland in a recent Irish Times poll and the announcement that Donegal has achieved the highest number of Blue Flag beach awards of any county in the country, there is no better time to visit the thriving Gaeltacht area in the furthest North West of the island.

6. As part of the revival of the Curach, there will be a curach racing exhibition by Gaoth Dobhair Cumann na gCurach which can be viewed from the pier at Machaire Gáthlan. (Cé Khitty Archie achan Mháirt agus Déardaoin 7.00in agus achan Dómhnach 4.00in outside of the festival)

7. The Glass Album Exhibition will feature at An Gailearí Gaoth Dobhair, with new work by a number of leading contemporary artists including Walead Beshty, Matt Collishaw and Eoghan Mc Tigue. The work is inspired by the 19th century archive photographs by Derry Photographer James Glass relating to the famous 1889 “Land War” murder trial of the priest Fr. Mc Fadden from Gaoth Dobhair.

8. An Crann Óg, young and vibrant traditional Irish music group will open the festival with a lively performance at Teach Mhicí – the oldest family run business in the parish, where Mairead and Frankie Kennedy had their wedding reception, and where Phil Coulter once played “The town I loved so well” on the hotel piano. (you will get the best pint of Guinness here!)

9. There will be a special showing of the documentary film “An Piobaire Mór” in association with An Acadamh's television skills course. Tarlach Mac Suibhne was born in Donegal and buried in Machaire Gáthlan. He attracted international popularity when he went to play at the World Exhibition in Chicago and won the world championship in piping.

10. There will be workshops in Sean Nos dancing, with Jacqui Bradley and interpretation of songs and aers with Doiminic Mac Giolla Bhride sean nos singer and composer and Caoimhín O' Fearghail as well as the best ceilis and set dancing displays at Teach Jack Glassagh.

And if you’re peckish after all that, you will find the Best seafood chowder in the Gaeltacht at Sean Ógs, local seafood is their speciality, and special it is!

Bígí linn ag Loinneog Lúnasa 2013.