THE Niall Mac Giolla Bhrighde Commemoration Festival will take place this weekend in the village of an Craoslach.
Niall Mac Giolla Bhrighde was a farmer, a poet, an author and a songwriter who lived in An Fhaiche Mhór, An Craoslach from 1861 to 1942.
In March 1905, Mac Giolla Bhrighde was fined for having his name in Irish on his cart and on a point of principle decided against paying it. Details of the case became known to Patrick Pearse who decided to represent Mac Giolla Bhrighde in the case, pro bono.
It was the only case that Pearse ever took in a court of law and despite the fact they lost it added momentum to the Irish language movement in the country at that time.
Later, Patrick Pearse wrote in An Claidheamh Soluis: “It was in effect decided that the Irish is a foreign language on the same level with Yiddish…”
A festival to commemorate the late author was established last year.
The official opening of this year’s festival by the Creeslough Marching Band will take place at 6.30pm this Saturday, May 30 at the Hub. A Ciorcal Comhrá will take place in the Hub from 3pm on Saturday and all are invited to attend.
At 7pm an evening of music by Cór Thaobh a’Léithid under the direction of the award winning singer, Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde will take to the stage.
Mr Mac Giolla Bhríde will perform a song written by Niall Mac Giolla Bhrighde but has never been heard publicly. The song was uncovered in a box of the late author’s attic when work was being carried out on his home.
Mr Mac Giolla Bhríde composed music to accompany the song and this will be heard for the very first time on Saturday evening. This will be followed by an evening of festivities in McNulty’s bar and all are welcome to attend.
On Sunday, May 31, a bilingual history of Doe Castle will be given at 3pm and from around 4pm there will be a Preab-Gaeltacht in the Hub.
At 6pm children from Scoil Náisúinta an Ghlasáin will take to the stage and play a few tunes. A one-man show by the award winning author and dramatist, Noel Ó Gallchóir, will perform at 7pm. This will be accompanied by singing by the actress and singer Noeleen Ní Cholla.
The festival is organised by Donegal County Council, the Creeslough Community Association and LPT Thuaisceart Dhún na nGall.