Gongs galore at Glór Cheatharlach’s inaugural Ócáid na Nollag 2024
Emma Uí Bhroin, Lorraine Seery and Michéal MacEochaodh at the Irish Awards and Celebration Night in Teach Dolmain in Carlow
TEACH DOLMAIN was the place to be for the inaugural Christmas party ‘as Gaeilge’. The event was organised by Glór Cheatharlach to celebrate a tremendous year of achievements in the promotion of the language and all things Irish in Carlow throughout 2024.
The venue was a hive of activity, with awards galore, a TG4 camera crew, local representatives, music, food and the best of Irish conversation in full flow! Guest of honour was Carlow’s own MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, who flew in from Brussels especially for the event, while recently-elected TDs Jennifer Murnane O’Connor and Catherine Callaghan were also invited guests.
Awards for the promotion of Irish in various sectors picked up by local organisations and establishments during the year were presented by Cynthia, beginning with Gradaim Gnó na hÉireann in recognition of continuous efforts in the promotion and use of Irish in business. There were four recipients: journalist and media consultant Eimear Ní Bhraonáin; Brian Ó Broin of Lambert’s Coffee House, where the very popular weekly Irish conversation gatherings meet; Patrick Bramley of Ulab Studio, who offers a complete service in Irish in the area of digital, video and photography; and Teach Dolmain, where the best of Irish music and service ‘as Gaeilge’ is on offer
There were three awards in the Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha (Joe McDonagh Foundation) to promote Irish in GAA clubs, and three local clubs were presented with the bronze medal. Aingeal Uí Dhálaigh, who serves as Irish language and cultural officer with CLG Ceatharlach, was on hand to present medals to Mícheál Mac Eochaidh of Club Setanta Iománaíochta agus Camógaíochta, to James O’Byrne of Éire Óg GAA Club and Darragh Mac Giollaphádraig of Cnoc Arda CLG.
Bríde de Róiste congratulated all three clubs and said she hoped many more would follow their example and participate in the scheme next year.
Next up, Cynthia had three national drama awards for Aisteoirí an Lóchrainn for its staging of its popular Irish comedy with gongs for producer Con Ó Cróinín as well as for Cathal Ó Catháin and Mairéad Ní Shúilleabháin for their acting roles. Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach shared gongs galore as well as a best actor award picked up at Féilte Scoildrámaíochta at regional, Leinster and All-Ireland levels for its amazing drama , directed by teachers Feargal Máirtín and Oisín Mac Cinnéide.
The prestigious award for legal debating in Irish in the Bréagchúirt Uí Dhálaigh competition was picked up by local barrister Tommy Mac Diarmada and was presented to his parents John and Anne McDarby.
A music award, or gradam ceoil, was presented by Cynthia to local fiddle player Dave Sheridan in recognition of almost 40 years leading the traditional music scene in Carlow in the areas of seisiúin, concerts, classes and Fheadh Cheoil galore.
Finally, it was time for the RTÉ Radio na Gaeltachta 2024 Award for the promotion of the Irish language and culture in the community, which Cynthia presented to Bríde.
Bríde said she was honoured to accept the award on behalf of everyone she had worked with in the promotion of Irish in Carlow.
