Talented new generation emerges in Muscraí

By Catherine Ketch Saturday November 22nd, 2008

THE emergence of a new generation of storytellers, poets and writers from Múscraí was evident at this year’s Oireachtas and at a winners’ concert held in its aftermath at the Ionad Cultúrtha in Baile Bhúirne.

On the Friday night, Concubhar Ó Luasa told a story that was always told by Dónal Ó Ceallaigh, whose anniversary appropriately was on the same night. Concubhar came second in the age 12 to 15 storytelling with the story that was always told by the Kellys when they were young. Concubhar learnt it from a recording that was made of Dónal in the Mills some years ago.

“He was a man that never missed an Oireachtas, but his story was there this year, told by another young lad,” said Síle Uí Chróinín from the Ionad Cultírtha also an Oireachtas winner herself. Síle says that storytelling was traditionally left to Dónal, but now a new generation had to take over.

Similarly, she says, “Donal O Liatháin was the source we all went to for ‘Luibín’s and ‘Agallamh Beirte’s and the fact that he got sick in June meant that people had to make an effort and people put pen to paper this time that never attempted it before.”

Fionntán Ó Meachair was one of those. He wrote two pieces for his two sons and daughter and they both won prizes.

Aoife took first place in Comortas Agallamh Beirte with Shauna Willems and first place in Corn Sheosaimh Uí Éanaigh under 15. Aoife’s brothers Diarmuid and Colm Ó Meachair took 2nd place in the u12 Agallamh Beirte. Sean and Darren Ó Foirreidh came second in the age 12-15 competition.

Also, Siobhán Ó Muimhneacháin, for the first time, wrote one for herself and Maighread Ní Luasa and they received a special prize for between 18 and 25. Siobhán along with her dad Sean and Seosaimh Ó Criodáin took first place in a new competition Corn Cuimhneacháin Eibhlín Ní Chathailriabhaigh, a sketch for three people. Sean also took second prize in Corn Sheain Eoin Uí Shúillebháin.

Dónal would also have been the source for Deirdre Ní Cheallaigh and Síle Uí Chróinín who came second in the Luibín and Ruth Ní Riada and Cathal Ó Cúill who took second in the Comórtas Agallamh Beirte age 15-18. Donal Ó hÉalaithe and Peadar Ó Riada put the latter together.

“We were depending solely on his (work), but the fact that he wasn’t able this year everybody had to come to the front and as a result didn’t do too bad,” said Síle.

Dónal Ó Liatháin had entered a newly-composed song, which was sung by his daughter, Bríd. Entitled ‘Watty,’ it concerned Timmy the Brit’s sow that was being taken to Cill na Martra to the boar ‘Watty’ and the trouble thatensued with a fall from the trailer; Sudocrem and an electric fence all came into the equation.

Bríd sang it wonderfully well said Síle in the Comórtas Cuimhneacháin Sean Éoin Ó Súilleabháin. Sean Ó Muimhneacháin came second in the same competiton.

It was a great honour for Máire Ní Cheocháin Uí Chrualaoí who has been at Oireachtasaí since she was a child to see her daughter, Gobnait, bring a first prize in Corn Mhaire Mhic Dhonnachadh. The song was about an event in Cúil Aodha and mentions Gobnait’s grandfather, Dónal Ó Ceocháin.

Seosaimh Ó Criodáin took first prize in Corn Sean Nós Chonomarra and Padraig McCarthaigh second. Nell Ní Chróinín took second in Corn Chuimhneacháin Sheáin Óig Uí Thuama.

Máire Ní Chéilleachair, who took second place in Corn Uí Riada, and Eibhlís Uí Thuama, who came second in Corn Sheáin Óig Uí Thuama, both teach singing under the Aisling Gheal scheme in the Múscraí Gaeltacht. Nell and Aoife were both pupils of theirs.

It was Aisling Gheal who organised the winners’ night the Ionad Cultúrtha with additional funding from the Top of Coom, Éigse Dhiarmuidín and the Ionad. Six presentations were made on the night to Peadar Ó Riada for being the cathaoirleach of the local Oireachtas Committee and for all the work he’s done with amhránaíocht, Aisling Gheal and the Ionad; Donnacha Ó hAodha who was Cathaoirleach of Oireachtas na Samhna; Sean Ó Muimhneacháin for all he has done for writing Luibin’s and Agallamh Beirtes for children and adults; Máire Ní Chéilleachair for all she has done for Aisling Gheal; Johnny Lehane for hosting Oireachtas at the Rochestown Park and making it home to everyone and Máire Ní Laoire who ran the show on the night.

Each year Síle says the crowds get bigger, younger and more glamorous at each Oireachtas. “There were people there this year who never went to the Oireachtas before. They’re hooked and they’ll never again miss it, so there’s no fear of it.

“It was full of young people talking Irish,” she added.

The highlights she said were seeing halls of people dancing, Des Bishop, Sean Ó Sé and hundreds of young lads from all over the country singing ‘An Poc ar Buile’ that was written by Dónal Ó Mulláin in Screathain.

The night at the Ionad was equally enjoyable and, without charging anyone at the door, over €500 was raised for Crumlin Children’s Hospital.