by Evelyn Cullen
LETTERKENNY’S Irish language book club ‘Club Leabhar an Iarthuaiscirt’ is currently reading ‘Súile Éisc agus scéaltaí eile’, a book of short stories in Irish written by Michelle Nic Pháidín.
Ms Nic Pháidín, who grew up in Gaoth Dobhair is a well-known former journalist with the Donegal Democrat and has previously published a novel called An tIriseoir.
She is also a former chairperson of Coiste Comhairleach na nÓg and a member of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta.
‘Flaitheas’by Proinsias Mac a’ Bhaird, a teacher at Coláiste Ailigh was previously on the club’s reading list, a book that tells the fascinating story of the life of Colmcille as an intelligent, complicated and flawed individual who had to battle internal and external forces while founding a network of monasteries and spreading Christianity in Ireland and abroad.
The point of the club is to come together to read and discuss great books as Gaeilge by great Irish writers, including as many local writers as possible.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Bairbre Uí Chathail of Líonra Leitir Ceannainn, who runs the club, said: “Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach dúinn tacaíocht a thabhairt do scríbhneoirí áitiúla. Cuireann sé go mór le líofacht na ndaoine agus cuidíonn sé go mór leo saibhreas teanga a fhorbairt. An leabhar seo atá le léamh againn anois, béidh scoth na Gaeilge ar fáil ann. Má tá suim ag duine ar bith feabhas a chur ar a chuid Gaeilge, déan teaghmhail linn agus cuirimid fearadh na fáilte rompu’ a deir Bairbre.
“It’s really important to us to support local writers. Reading in Irish really enhances people’s fluency and adds a wealth to their language. The best of Irish is to be found in this book we are reading now, Súile Éisc. If anyone would like to improve their Irish, please get in contact with us and we’ll give you hearty welcome,” said Bairbre.
The Club has stopped for the summer and will resume again in September.
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