The Colmcille Heritage Centre is to be congratulated on the success of their Féile Colmcille held in Gartan from June 6-9.
The different events were well attended by locals and visitors alike who enjoyed the imaginative programme delivered by experts and accomplished musicians and poets.
The weekend was welcoming, innovative and inclusive, setting the bar high for any future planned events.
Sandra Brennan and the Heritage Centre’s staff were first class in everything they did over the few days – whether providing hearty soup and sandwiches for the hikers or delicious canapes for the concert goers, all fresh and home-made. Bhí siad dílis dá bhfocal nuair a dúirt siad ‘Fáilte isteach’.
The weekend began when Brian Lacy led a bilingual walk from Templedouglas through to Drumcavney, Trentagh and on to Gartan, retracing Colmcille’s footsteps.
On the following day, Christy Gillespie guided a large assembly of walkers over the 14 kilometres from Glenveagh to Gartan pointing out significant landmarks from the saint’s life.
In Colmcille’s many journeys, most were likely on foot over similar terrain to that trodden by today’s pilgrims.
Indeed, the location of the Heritage Centre before Lough Gartan echoed with blackcap and wren, their songs familiar to the saint as were the stands of yellow flag iris and spiky marsh thistles. Such natural wonders were central to Colmcille’s value for life in all its forms.
Colmcille’s memory as one of the most important figures in Western Christianity was reflected by Cór Ailigh who sang in St Columba’s Church, Churchill, and the annual Church of Ireland service at St. Columba’s Church, Churchill with Caitlyn Kelly soloist and the Britannia Band. The weekend concluded with an Ecumenical Service with the Colmcille Community Choir at the Abbey and the annual St Colmcille Turas prayers.
I bhFocal Cholmcille Féin
Bhí Ciarán Ó Baoill i gceannas ar Preab Ghaeltacht (Pop Up Gaeltacht) i Wilkin’s Bar, ceoltóirí áitiúla ag soláthar ceoil thraidisiúnta den scoth don chruinniú. Bhí an Gaeilge – máthairtheanga Cholmcille – le cloisteáil i rith an deireadh seachtaine agus go háirithe nuair a sheinn na Scoileanna Náisiúnta áitiúla a gcuid amhrán, dánta agus ceoil. Bhí Joe Kelly, Leabharlann Chontae Dhún na nGall, ina chabhair mhór leis an ábhar Gaeilge don Fhéile.
A day long Ceolchoirm Cholmcille featured pupils from Gartan NS, Kilmacrennan NS, Rathdonnell NS, Scoil an tSrátha Mhóir, Scoil Colmcille An Tearmann and Trentagh NS. They played, recited and sang, some of the material especially composed for the weekend.
After lunch, the groups engaged in clay modelling, felting and weaving, their works reflecting Colmcille’s legacy through craft skills as old as the saint himself. This engagement of young people reinforced the community’s pride in and respect for Colmcille and was a highlight.
In The Footsteps of Colmcille
The largest attendance was on Sunday night. Maureen Curran hosted an evening entitled ‘In the Footsteps of Colmcille’ before a packed hall. In addition to her own poem, others read their work, most notably local poet Denise Blake. On arrival, the audience were greeted by the O’Donnell Sisters playing pipes, fiddle and concertina.
Paul Anderson, resplendent in his kilt travelled from Aberdeenshire to demonstrate his magnificent musicality and musicianship, his tone and original airs impressing all.
Dublin-based poet Francis Devine gave a first public reading from his new collection Light & Lay: Poems Reflecting Iona, a work inspired by the island. The concert was thus a mixture of the local and international, Ireland and Scotland, spiritual and temporal. Paul was joined by the O’Donnells and Ramelton’s Martin McGinley, fiddle, for a rousing musical finale and rapturous applause.
Events like the Féile do not just happen. There is endless, unseen voluntary work supported by the sponsorship of Donegal County Council, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Office of Public Works, Gleann tSúilí CLG and Tuaisceart Dhún na nGall.
Claire Murray was acknowledged as the driving force but she was supported by an energetic and progressive committee. They might now reflect on what all who attended considered a triumph of creativity and organisation.
The Féile honoured and further embellished Colmcille’s legacy and proudly reflected the community spirit and endeavour of Churchill and Gartan.
