Portlaoise gears up for Féile na Samhna
Julie Anne de Brún will conduction one of her children's workshops.
PORTLAOISE is gearing up to host an Irish language festival Féile na Samhna over the weekend of 23-25 October.
The event is an inaugural Halloween festival organised by Cumann Gaelach Laoise, the local branch of Conradh na Gaeilge. Details of the many exciting events that have been organised include talks on engaging topics of local and seasonal interest, place names, the celtic origins of Halloween, stories and music for children and a concluding oíche cheoil agus comhrá.
Dúirt cathaoirleach an chumainn, Siobhán Ui Chuinn: “Is í príomhsprioc na féile ná imeachtaí pobalbhunaithe, spéisiúla a chur ar fáil i mbealach taitneamhach as Gaeilge.” Siobhán continued by saying that the festival is suitable for people with different levels of Irish. “Tá an fhéile oiriúnach do gach duine a bhfuil spéis acu sa teanga, is cuma más foghlaimeoir nó cainteoir líofa thú.” As a voluntary and community-based organisation, Siobhán expressed her thanks to the committee of Cumann Gaelach for its important work, as well as to the staff of the Dunamase Arts Centre, the OPW and Tadgh Óg’s bar for providing valuable services and premises free of charge.
Féile na Samhna will offer a welcoming atmosphere for people to learn and improve their Irish. This welcome reflects its other activities, such as their caife agus comhrá, which takes place every second Saturday from 11am to 12.30pm in the Dunamaise Arts' Centre and the pop-up Gaeltacht, which usually takes place on the last Thursday of every month in one of the pubs in Portlaoise. The cumann runaí, Tommy Mulligan, states: “Our events have no grammar police and are open to all who have an interest in speaking Irish.” Tommy uses the old seanfhocal “Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste.” Clár/programme-Féile na Samhna: the festival will open in Portlaoise Parish Centre at 7pm on Friday with a talk as Gaeilge on Logainmneacha Laoise/Laois place names. Dearbhla Ní Dhuinn, who is a post-primary school teacher from Mountmellick, will talk about the rich history and culture of Ireland's original gaelic place names. She will put particular emphasis on the place names of Co Laois. Studying gaelic place names is an interesting way to improve your Gaeilge as they link with local landscape and history. While this is one of the many free events, places are limited and need to be booked in advance at http://linktr.ee/Cnag_laoise.
On Saturday, native Irish speaker Julie Anne de Brún, a primary-school teacher from Co Galway, will provide a workshop for children U9 and their parents/guardians upstairs in The Gallery in Dunamaise Arts Centre from 11am to 12.30pm. This event is called Scéalta agus ceol, which involves stories, music, singing and dancing as Gaeilge. Halloween costumes for children are optional. She is passionate about instilling a love of our native language and music in young children and has valuable advice for parents who want to help their children with Irish.
Later on Saturday at 6pm, also in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, Réaltán Ní Leannáin, a well-known Irish language writer, will give a talk as Gaeilge on Irish folklore and celtic festivals, with an emphasis on the historic customs and traditions of Samhain (Halloween). Again, places are limited, so early booking is advised at https://www.dunamaise.ie.
The final day of the festival/féile is Sunday 25 October. Starting at 2.30pm, the OPW will provide a guided tour of Emo Court. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the heritage and interesting history of the house through the Irish language. While this event is also free, there are limited places, so book through http://linktr.ee/Cnag_laoise.
Finally, Féile na Samhna, will conclude in style with a night of traditional music, singing, craic agus comhrá in Tadhg Óg's (formerly Hume’s) bar, Portlaoise from 8-10pm and everyone is welcome. Those who may have a song or musical instrument are encouraged to attend.
Information regarding events can be found on groups’ social sites or email: Instagram: cnag Laoise, Facebook: Cumann Gaelach Chontae Laoise, Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Cnag_laoise, email cumanngaelachlaoise@cnag.ie.
