Huge crowds attend Coláiste Bhríde centenary in Rann na Feirste

By Brendan Ó Dufaigh

“COLÁISTE Bhríde has contributed significantly to the economic, cultural and linguistic wellbeing of Rannafast for the past 100 years and the interaction and co-operation between college and the locals has ensured the success of the enterprise,” stated former Minister for the Gaeltacht, Éamonn Ó Cuiv, who was guest speaker at the Coláiste Bhríde Centenary banquet in Caisleáin Óir Hotel in Anagaire last Saturday night.

He talked about his commitment to the Summer Colleges’ scheme while Gaeltacht Minister and had successfully rejected efforts by Revenue to impose a tax on the landladies’ earnings.

He went on to say that Coláiste Bhríde and other Irish colleges in Donegal supported, encouraged and strengthened Irish in the Six Counties at a very precarious time in their existence.

Brendan Ó Dufaigh, of the Colaiste Bhríde Rann na Feirste 100th anniversary event pictured with clergy members who con-celebrated Mass on Sunday. From left, An Dr Ró-Oirmh Pádraig Ó Baoighill, Fr Lorcan Ó Searcaigh, Fr Aodhan Cannon, Dr Philip Boyce, Bishop Emeritus, Raphoe, Fr Brendan Ward, Dr Dónall Mc Keown, Bishop Emeritus, Derry, Fr Nigel Ó Gallachóir, Dr John Mc Areavey, Bishop Emeritus, Down and Connor. Photos: Eoin McGarvey.

The Centenary Banquet was attended by over 200 people with the mná ti (landladies), past and present, being the main guests.

A piece of iron sculpture depicting St. Brigid’s cross and commissioned by the college from John Choilm Mac Giolla Easpaig, was presented to Mr Ó Cuiv and similar well-deserved presentations were made by Celia Ní Ghormlaith, Coiste Choláiste Bhríde member, to Niall Ó Sluáin, college secretary for 34 years and Gearóid Ó Murchú, college treasurer for 24 years.

Clíodhna Ní Chatháin, Emma Ní Chrabháin and Eimear Ní Fhachtna.

Relatives of the founding fathers and former officers were in attendance and introduced to the audience at the banquet: Bronagh Hamill, daughter of Seán Ó Labhra, President (1975-2015) and her son, Darragh and her daughter, Aislinn: Colin Pearse, grandson of Seán Mac Maoláin, Secretarial Assistant (1926) and Feilim Borland, grandnephew of Mac Maoláin; Lorcán Ó hUallacháin, son of Pádraig Ó hUallacháin, Secretary (1937-1948) and his daughter, Doireann; Diarmuid MacAdam, son of Seoirse Mac Adhmaidh, Treasurer (1960-65 and 1973-75) and his sisters, Deirdre and Una; Joe Sharkey, son of Ioseph Ó Searcaigh, Secretary (1965-1983), Treasurer (1965-73); Brendan Kindlon, grandnephew of Tomás Ó Caoindealbháin, Secretary (1935-37); Colm and Harry Murray, first cousins once removed of an tAth. Lorcán Ó Muireadhaigh, founder and first President (1926-41).

Sisters Síle Ní Dhuibheannaigh and Róisín Nic Daibhid.

Before the banquet five former landladies, Roisin Dónaí Mhic Giolla Cearra, Síle Ita Mhaggie Uí Dhochartaigh, Noírín Sheáin Uí Dhufaigh, Annie Mhicí Jimí Uí Dhuibheannaigh agus Caitlín Nora Frainc Uí Dhubhchaoin, were interviewed by Brendan Ó Dufaigh about their experiences with the lodgers over the years. They spoke about the work, food, conditions, regulations and the students themselves.

The weekend was kicked off by a live outside broadcast of ‘Barrscéalta’ live from the college on Friday morning presented by Michelle Nic Grianna.

Deputy Pat ‘the Cope’ Ó Gallchóir opened the centenary celebrations in Áislann Rann na Feirste on Friday night and he recalled after his first election success in 1981, he set up a clinic in Teach na Coláiste. He said he had no option but to learn Irish if he was to continue in public life because the Rann na Feirste people spoke exclusively in Irish to him at these clinics.

John Ó Dónaill and his daughter Rosanna.

John Anne Ó Domhnaill, chairperson of Coiste Forbartha Rann na Feirste talked about his many family connections with the college.

His grandfather, Donnchadh Phadaí Sheáin and his family built the old college in 1926 and again at the college on the present site in 1927, Teach an Aifrinn in 1929, as well as building the swimming pool and the football field. His uncles and cousins kept lodgers and his two daughters, Roseanne and Keevagh, taught in Coláiste Bhríde.

Frank Mór Ó Maoláin, College Treasurer spoke about his own time as a student in the college in the mid-sixties staying in Teach Shéimí in Doire na Mainséar.

Brendan Ó Dufaigh, Seamus Mac Eochaidh, and Frank Ó Maolain at the opening of the Colaiste Bhríde Rann na Feirste 100th celebrations.

The Centenary Concert followed the official opening. It was streamed on the Molscéal platform with almost 400 people in attendance.

Saturday proved to be a mid-summer’s day in mid-autumn and facilitated the guided tour around Rann na Feirste by Donnchadh Sarah Rua Ó Baoill and Niall Cissie Mac Eachmharcaigh.

Local artist, Mórag Mhic Eachmharcaigh curated an art exhibition in the Seancholáiste while the doors of the museum were open to visitors.

Feargal Ó Coigligh, Secretary General of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport launched the book ‘Ar Theacht

an tSamhraidh’ on Saturday afternoon in Áislann Rann na Feirste, congratulated the book author, Brendan Ó Dufaigh and briefly summarised the contents of the book. He talked about his own time as a student in Coláiste Bhríde. .

The afternoon started with a lecture entitled ‘Lodgers and Scholars’, delivered by the author of the book ‘Ar Theacht an tSamhraidh’, Brendan Ó Dufaigh.

Seamus De Faoite, Celine Ní Dhónaill, Anne Marie Uí Dhoibhlin, Brendan Ó Dufaí, ags Marguerita Ní Dhochartaigh at the opening night of Colaiste Bhride Rann na Feirste’s 100th anniversary celebrations. (Photos: Eoin Mc Garvey)

The book covers all aspects of college life and is now available in local shops. It was commissioned and funded by Coiste Choláiste Bhríde.

Dr Dónall McKeown, Bishop Emeritus Derry was the chief celebrant at the Centenary Mass. He told the congregation that he spent time in teach Mhicí Sheáin in the 1960s and his father had attended the college in 1929.

He was joined by a host of concelebrants including Dr Seán Mac Giolla Riabhaigh, Bishop Emeritus Dromore and Dr Pilib Ó Buaigh, Bishop Emeritus Raphoe.

Before the Mass the clergy made their way across the college yard led by Buíon Ceoil Rann na Feirste Drum Major, Celine Jim Chonaill Ní Dhomhnaill and An Druma Mór Drum Major, Deirdre Rua Mhic Pháidín.

Music filled the air as the congregation exited the college in glorious sunshine with the band playing alternate tunes much to the delight of the hundreds present. Nobody appeared to be in a hurry anywhere.

Pádraig Mac Eachmharcaigh, Áine Nic Eachmharcaigh, Caoimhe Ní Chonchoille, Deirdre Nic Eachmharcaigh, and Niall Mac Eachmharcaigh at the Coláiste Bhríde Rann na Feirste 100th anniversary celebrations.

Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher TD with his wife Anne and former Government Minister and TD Éamon Ó Cuiv and his wife Áine at the Colaiste Bhríde Rann na Ferste celebrations.