Féile Gaeilge Le Bród is back - and every event is free!

antrim | arts and media | event notice Saturday October 30, 2010 19:47 by Glór na Móna

Féile Gaeilge le Bród is back again for another year to showcase the best in Irish language, culture and sport in Upper Springfield. And better still – there’s free entry to every event!

This year’s festival will be taking place between Monday 8 and Sunday 14 November.

Organised by Glór na Móna, the Irish language and cultural development group in the area, this year’s féile has been put together with the specific needs of the community in mind. There’s something for everyone – young, old, athletic and artistic.

Included in the programme of events is a much anticipated performance from Irish language reggae band BRÉAG who have shared the stage with many a singing sensation over the years including Shane MaGowan, The Wailers and Kíla.

BRÉAG were originally formed in the early Nineties to raise desperately needed funds for bunscoileanna in Belfast. Since then, their unique style of Celtic/Reggae/Ska has taken them all over the world performing their well-known songs such as ‘Babylon Gaeilgeoir’, ‘Lá Jah’ and ‘An Bóthar Mór’ in countries as far away as Sri Lanka.

The band’s Féile Gaeilge le Bród concert will take place on Friday 12 November at St.John’s GAA Clubhouse. Doors open at 9pm with BRÉAG’s support act being supplied by talented teenagers from Coláiste Feirste’s newly formed An Cumann Gaelach.

The annual Harry Holland lecture, in memory of the much-loved west Belfast greengrocer murdered in 2007, will be given by the lecturer Féilim Ó hAdhmaill. The former IRA prisoner spent his formative years in west Belfast but now resides in Cork where he is a faculty member of the Applied Social Studies department at University College Cork.

This year’s lecture title is ‘Fís na Poblachta Nua – Cén chuma a bheadh uirthi is cén bhealach chun cinn?’ which translates to ‘Vision for the new Republic –what would it look like and what is the way forward?’

The lecture will be in English with a little Irish throughout and will take place on Thursday 11 November at 8pm in Gort na Móna’s Clubhouse. The lecture topic is sure to attract a large audience, therefore, early arrival is advised to ensure a seat.

Following the lecture is a night of music with renowned singer/songwriter Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh. A Belfast native, Seoirse now resides in Donegal where Gaeltacht life has a strong influence on his work. Not only is Seoirse a well know singer, he creativity also extends itself to poetry writing and painting.

As part of Féile Gaeilge le Bród 2010, Seoirse will showcase his latest art collection entitled ‘An Saol Rúnda’. This will be on display from Monday 8 to Friday 12 November at Coláiste Feirste for all to see. Two workshops organised for the family will take place on Saturday 13 in Gaelscoil na Móna facilitated by Seoirse.

A painting workshop will take place from 10-11am followed by a singing workshop (ceardlann amhránaiocht) from 12pm to 1.30pm.

Parents, guardians or grandparents are invited to take the kids along and enjoy the expertise of Seoirse. Booking is essential as spaces are limited. Email eolas@glornamona.com to book your family’s place.

One of the most popular events of last year’s Féile was the GAA skills workshop with Antrim Gaelic football star Paddy Cunningham. An event for Irish speaking children of primary school age, Paddy will be putting the next generation of All-Stars through their paces. This event takes place at 3.30pm on Wednesday 10 November at Bunscoil an tSléibhe Dhuibh and lasts 90 minutes.

Fionnuala Nic Thom, Glór na Móna’s Development Officer, said: “The Upper Springfield area has a lot to offer everyone and we’re very proud to present to the wider public our programme of events for Féile Gaeilge le Bród 2010.

“From an Irish language film night to a Celtic Art workshop for the Disabled, every section of the community is catered for and we hope to see you all during our week long celebrations.

“We’ve created a 16 page programme which is available online from our website www.glornamona.com and also a printed version which we are leaving in all the local shops.

“And as always, tá fáilte roimh chach. Everbody’s welcome!”