Irish language influencers in Mullingar honoured
The Irish language group ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’, who were responsible for providing Irish Language facilities and services throughout an fleadh, made a number of presentations to local people who have been involved with developing the Irish language in recent years.
Among the recipients who received a special Gradam award from Labhrás Ó Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, were father and daughter, Matt Nolan and Trina Ní Nuallain.
Matt recently wrote a bilingual history of the Rath Chairn Gaeltacht community in County Meath and over recent years was chairperson of the founding committees for two gaeslscoileanna in Mullingar, Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn and Gaelscoil Choillín.
Both Gaeslscoileanna are now providing excellent education to the wider Mullingar Community through Irish. He has also provided Irish language classes in both Gaeslscoileanna for parents and the public.
He was also involved as leas-cathaoirleach of Glór na nGael for a number of years and is currently runaí of Áras an Mhuilinn.
He makes regular broadcasts on Raidió na Gaeltachta and TG4 in relation to the Irish Language issues in Mullingar.
Trina is leas-priobh oide at Gaelscoil an Choillín and is involved in promoting the Irish Language throughout the school community as well as reaching out to the Mullingar neighbourhood with a ‘green’ programme which involves Gaelscoil an Choillín being part of Mullingar Tidy Towns drive to improve the environment throughout the town.
Seamus Ó Faoláin, who died last year and who was a central figure in teaching Irish at CBS college and in a various of community organisations such as the GAA and Glór na nGael was also honoured. The Gradam was accepted by his wife Sorcha Ní Fhaoláin.
Other recipients of Gradam awards from Labhrás Ó Murchú: Caroline Ó Fiaich, príomhoide, Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn, who has seen her school grow from a start up of 24 children 30 years ago to 250 children currently.
Rene Nic Giolla Lasacta, a native of Donerail, County Cork, who has work tirelessly for the language in Loreto College, where she was vice-principal for many years.
Risteárd De Stóc, Irish language officer with Comhaltas at county and provincial level, who has also researched and written extensively on local place-names in his native Streamstown.
Siobhán Ní Chonaráin, who is employed by Comhaltas as a príomh reachtaire.
She is a fluent speaker and promotes Irish and at every opportunity through her work especially when introducing stage performances and shows for CCÉ.
Tomás Ó Ciarnáin, who has a lifelong passion for the language and speaks it fluently. He has been chairperson of Glór na nGael for many years and was involved with his wife Phil in setting up two gaelscoileanna, Gaelscoil an Mhuilinn and Gaelscoil Choillín. He is currently treasurer of An Bord of Áras an Mhuilinn.
Muuirís Sinonóid, writer of Irish verse and who wrote a translation of Shakespeare’s sonnets into Irish which was published by Crigean Press a number of years ago.