A national housing campaign aimed at tackling the housing crisis in Gaeltacht areas was launched at Oireachtas na Samhna last weekend.

Tinteán, a collaborative effort by Conradh na Gaeilge and Bánú housing advocacy group from the Conamara Gaeltacht, brings together Gaeltacht communities nationally to highlight the urgent housing needs threatening the cultural and linguistic heritage of these regions.

The Tinteán campaign aims to put the Gaeltacht housing crisis at the forefront of national policy discussions and calls on the Irish government to prioritize housing rights within Gaeltacht regions, especially as the country prepares for a General Election. Tinteán emphasises that solving the housing crisis in the Gaeltacht is fundamental to preserving the Irish language and supporting sustainable communities.

At the launch event coinciding with the Oireachtas na Samha festival in Killarney on Friday, broadcaster Dara Ó Cinnéide officially launched the Tinteán campaign, joined by guest speakers Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh from ‘An Dream Dearg’ and Communications Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge, and Adhna Ní Bhraonáin from Bánú.

Each speaker highlighted the impact of the housing crisis on Gaeltacht communities and the importance of this campaign in securing housing rights and preserving cultural heritage. Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh also spoke about his experience with the advocacy group An Dream Dearg, drawing parallels between the movements and emphasising the power of unified, community-led advocacy.

Róisín Ní Chinnéide, Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge said: “For years the Gaeltacht community has been warning repeatedly that the housing crisis is shattering the fabric of these areas, and as a result, the Irish language. We cannot continue to accept government policies that facilitate this devastation.

“The Tinteán movement belongs to every person in favour of language and housing rights, and we must be organised for this decisive period ahead of us. United under one national campaign, we have a very strong case for our demands to be met.”

Adhna Ní Bhraonáin from the advocacy group  Bánú said: Significant progress has been made so far with the ‘Bánú’ campaign, but we need to put national pressure on the government and for all the Gaeltacht regions to stand together to advance our demands. I hope that the candidates in the General Election will pay attention to the housing needs of the Gaeltacht community, as highlighted by ‘Tinteán’.

Pictured at the launch of Tinteán were broadcaster Dara Ó Cinnéide, Adhna Ní Bhraonáin from Bánú and Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh of Conradh na Gaeilge.

Cortoon Shamrocks 1-20

An Spidéal 1-9

Mike Rafferty in Cregg

A first half of dominance that wasn’t exactly rewarded in the finishing stakes was followed through on the resumption as Cortoon Shamrocks powered their way to a merited success in the County U-17 C football championship final in Annaghdown on Sunday.

From the early exchanges, it was apparent that the Shamrocks were the stronger side both in terms of physicality and football development and while they didn’t exactly do themselves justice in the opening half, once the winners opened up on the resumption, they set a standard that An Spidéal just could not match.

For any forward line to thrive and score, they must have a supply chain and, on this occasion, the Cortoon attack received a constant service of well delivered ball and they responded with a second half tally of 1-14, with 1-12 of that coming from play.

Dominant midfielders Kian Gilmore and Cian Hynes were the main force behind their control in the middle third of the park, while in attack they scored at will as the game opened up in the latter stages.

The opening half didn’t gave a clear indication that such a gulf existed as a Fionn Robertson goal for An Spidéal gave them a huge boost and allied to the excellent marksmanship of David Ó Conghaile, they enjoyed a one point interval advantage. However, in contrast to the delivery to the Cortoon forwards, the inside two of Ó Conghaile and Micheál Ó Corcorain were dealing with a much more limited supply and they made the most of what they got.

On a beautiful calm day for football and in front of  a few hundred who came to support their local team, it was Cortoon who set the early standard as Ronan Carney and Cian Hynes strolled through to get the opening two scores.

The tall David Ó Conghaile was the target man at the other end and while well marshalled by Fionn Reagan amongst others in open play, his scoring record was impeccable. Though his contribution was mainly from frees and marks, all eight of his efforts for points went over the bar. He notched their opening two scores from set pieces to level matters and after Gilmore had converted a shot at the other end, Ó Conghaile responded once more with their third point.

Pictured: An Spidéal’s Cian O Flátharta on the attack as Cortoon Shamrocks’ Rory Morgan gives chase during the Galway Minor C Football Final in Cregg on Sunday. Photo: Joe Keane.

1924

Turf famine

The old turf fire which means so much to the Irish country dweller, by which many an exile best remembers home and kindred, will be missing from many a hearth this year.

Reports from all parts of the country indicate a veritable turf famine. In Roscommon, the lords of the big woods and demesne plantations have permitted the local people to take timer ab libitum in order that they may not have an altogether cheerless hearth this year.

Gort also reports a turf famine. In the Skehanagh and Peterswell area, little is being burned beyond wet timber. The people have been permitted to take wood from the grounds of Tullyra. In Kinvara and New Quay, there is nothing like the old traffic in turf boats from Connemara, although it must be said that the indominable Connemara peasant has succeeded in saving a fair quantity of turf in face of the most discouraging conditions.

Fireplaces do not exist in Irish country houses in the West for burning coal. This, of course, renders the problem acute. But the ingenuity of the Irish farmer will conquer the difficulty by substituting damp wood that lasts and burns well, and on which his good wife can achieve the most remarkable results.

Pictured: St Mary’s Club, Claddagh, who took part in the Inter-Club Talent competition in the Dominican Hall, Claddagh in November 1986. Front row, from left, Angela Manogue, Teresa O’Shaughnessy, Ursula Colohan and Teresa Shoer. Standing: Kathleen Cloherty, Eileen Cloherty, Teresa Flaherty, Mary Colohan, Annie Keane and Molly Browne.

By Mike Rafferty

CRAUGHWELL United are included with some elite company in the last 64 of the FAI Junior Cup and will be part of the National draw this week following a weekend success over Knocknacarra.

They will be joined in the next round by Salthill Devon who saw off Athenry comfortably and Mervue United who were fully extended when defeating Bearna Na Forbacha by a single goal AT Fahy’s Field.

For two sides doing well in the Championship, picking the winner between Craughwell United and Knocknacarra was pure guesswork as regards who was going to come through. However, it was the home side who put down the early markers as they ran out 3-1 winners.

Craughwell took the lead midway through the opening half when Cian Garman set up Sean Connaughton for the opener. They added a second just after the restart when Eoin Shiel was upended in the box and Adon MacFarlane slotted home the resulting penalty

But there was a quick response to that at the other end as Luke McHugh pulled one back for the visitors. After striking a post earlier, Shiel eventually got his reward when he slotted home the third with an effort from inside the box. Thereafter, the home side had to do some defending as Knocknacarra went chasing the game but this victory means Craughwell have qualified for this stage of the FAI Junior Cup for the first time ever.

Three divisions separate Mervue United and Bearna Na Forbacha in league terms, but one would never have suspected that when the sides went head to head at Fahy’s Field on Saturday afternoon, before the home side eventually prevailed by 1-0.

The matchwinner was converted by Kody McCann three minutes before the break, but for the duration the sides went toe to toe in a competitive encounter. The home team were certainly the busier early on as visiting custodian Mairtin Conneely was kept alert, but generally Bearna Na Forbacha defended well.

The visitors pressed more forward on the resumption and Cian Hernon had an effort that flew just over, while impressive substitute Sam Golden was a constant threat on his introduction. Twice he went close to an equaliser, while a Hernon pass inside to Golden was cut out by Darragh McGrath in a crucial interception in the latter stages.

On an occasion when he faced his brother Luke, Sam O’Gorman was certainly an impressive performer for Bearna Na Forbacha as they came up just short in a solid performance.

The remaining game saw Salthill Devon build on a one goal interval advantage, s they eventually saw off great rivals Athenry by 4-0. Colin Kelly got their opener, while Mikie Fox, Ben McDonnell and Jack Arra added to their tally in the second half. The draw for the next round is scheduled to take place tomorrow (Friday).

Pictured: Mervue United’s Adam Healy in a race dor posseasion with and Tadhg Fahertyof Bearna na Forbacha Aontaithe during Saturday’s FAI Junior Cup tie at Fahy’s Field. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.

Arts Week with Judy Murphy

When jazz musician Conor Guilfoyle sent choreographer David Bolger a message during Covid, saying he’d like to work with David’s dance company, CoisCéim, it started a creative collaboration that resulted in a unique, high-energy, jazz-era dance show, The Piece With the Drums, which comes to the Town Hall Theatre next Tuesday, November 12.

David was intrigued when he read Conor’s message.

“He explained that he was thinking of doing something with jazz percussion and dance, and asked if we would be interested,” the choreographer recalls.

Drummer Conor is one of the jazz world’s foremost percussionists, who has played and recorded with top names in the field and David knew working with him could be a great creative experience.

“I always try to find something that interests me that I haven’t done before. You always feel you want to discover something new every time you work on a piece.”

Such energy and curiosity has led to CoisCéim – which marks its 30th anniversary this year – becoming  one of Ireland’s leading dance companies.

And so, Conor and CoisCéim began the process and the show received a terrific critical response when it premiered in January 2023.

For David, the idea of working with percussion – “doing something so elemental” – resonated, especially during the strange days of Covid, when the project began.

He saw it as an opportunity to explore “vibrations and rhythms, and how our rhythms worked in such a different way at that time”.

Rhythms and vibrations formed the starting point for a series of workshops during the pandemic, when the world had become quiet, offering people a chance to hear things in a different way.

Crucial to the process was exploring how a drum kit worked.

“In my ignorance, I never realised how melodic the drums are and Conor makes them sing,” David says. “There is a beauty in the way he plays and when I started to understand that, I was interested to see what would happen when if we took them away.”

Pictured: There are five dancers in the show and each has a unique relationship with Conor Guilfoyle’s jazz percussion.

IT was the end of an era last month when the Franciscan Brothers officially signed over the Mountbellew Agricultural College to a new company and board of directors.

The facilities include college and farm buildings and 20 acres of land adjacent to the college. The college has seen substantial growth over the years through the efforts of the Franciscan Brothers, their generous benefactors, and the Irish Government through Section 24 of the Dept. of Agriculture, ACOT and Teagasc.

In addition, the Brothers will continue to lease over 250 acres of farm land to MAC [the name of the new company, Mountbellew Agricultural College] on a long-term deal, for the deliveery of college training and research programmes. The future of the Franciscan Brothers Congregation now depends on their African Brothers.

The HQ of the congregation was transferred to Molo, Kenya and the first African Brother was elected Minister General at the 2023 General Chapter of the Congregation – Ugandan born, Br. Charles Lagu who travelled to Ireland to oversee the transfer of the college and to sign the relevant documents on October 25 last. In East Africa there are over 30 African Brothers – many  trained in agriculture. There, the Brothers have two agricultural colleges in Kenya and Uganda.

The Franciscans set up Mountbellew Agricultural College in 1904, the first of its kind across the country, but the order’s  roots in the local town date back to the 1820s when they were invited to the area by the local landlord Christopher Dillon Bellew to educate the children on his estate.

During the episcopacy of Dr. John MacHale (1843-1877) the Brothers spread throughout the archdiocese of Tuam.

They later joined up with communities of like-minded Brothers in Clara, Co. Offaly and Farragher, Co. Roscommon. While the main focus was on primary education, they incorporated agriculture and technical subjects in the curriculum and they also conducted informal classes for local youth.

By the middle of the 19th century the Brothers had established new foundations in Loretto, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, New York. In the 1930s they opened missions in Nigeria and Cameroon and in the 1950s went to Los Angeles where they were involved in secondary education.

Pictured: Moving on: Tom Parlon, Chairman of MAC and Brother Charles Lagu, Minister General of the Franciscan Order formally sign the transfer documents for Mountbellew Agricultural College. Photo: Jacinta Fahy.

Groove Tube with Cian O’Connell

Over the last decade, Ryan McMullan has toured around the world, released a string of critically acclaimed EPs and been championed by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Foy Vance and Gary Lightbody.  The one thing that has evaded the Down singer-songwriter is a debut album – but last Friday, after years of scheduled and postponed releases, the LP finally arrived.

Redesign has gone through a series of iterations, but it arrives now, ten love songs long, accompanied by a list of live dates that includes Monroe’s Tavern on April 15 of next year.

“It nearly didn’t get released,” McMullan says. “There was a point where I really just wanted to start back. We’ve actually written another album that we’re beginning to record here in December.

“There was a conversation to be had, of do we just forget this album and move on? I listened to it and as I listened to it, it weirdly resonated that time around than it ever did before.

“I listened to it five days in a row and, after the fifth day, I was like look, it deserves its chance. A lot of people had invested in it – their time and their effort. It would be a disservice to everybody to scrap it and move on.

“I’m just glad that it got its chance and people gave it the time and space to come out at the right time. I’m so grateful for everybody for their patience, and so thankful for the album for sticking by for so long.”

In the last couple of years, McMullan took an overdue break from music for his mental health. He’d endured enforced time off during Covid but making his own decision to step back was crucial to understanding what he wanted from his music long-term.

“There’s a lot to be said for standing still for a minute and taking a break,” he says. “I had to figure out what it is I want. Whenever this album was supposed to originally come out, I just hadn’t got a clue. I was just throwing it at the wall and hoping it stuck.

Pictured: Ryan McMullan…debut album and Galway date next April.

The award-winning team at Blackrock Cottage in Salthill are hosting ‘A Christmas Wonderland’ — an evening of festive food and fun — on Thursday, November 28th.

This fantastic pre-Christmas event will feature festive cooking tips from the Cottage’s award-winning chef Martin O’Donnell, wine pairings with our experienced sommelier Mathieu Teulier, plus cocktail-making demonstrations to help guests prepare the perfect dinner and drinks this holiday season!

These demos will be followed by a delicious Christmas dinner which will be prepared by Martin and his team.

“This is a great opportunity for people to get into the Christmas spirit,” said the well-known chef. “We have a lovely evening planned where guests will be able to relax, get some Christmas dinner tips and hints during our demo, hear which wines pair best with their meat of choice, and also get to see how to mix up some cocktails.

“All that will be followed by a lovely meal in the festive setting of the Cottage.

“We think it’s the perfect way to kick off the build-up to Christmas!

Blackrock Cottage’s award-winning chef Martin O’Donnell

“The unique location of Blackrock Cottage, the relaxed atmosphere and, obviously, the quality of the food just all lends itself to a Christmas catch-up or get-together,” he added.

“From the kitchen, you can sense the atmosphere. Everyone is happy and in good form and there’s a lovely vibe around the place.

“You can see families and friends meeting up, spending time in each other’s company, and it’s really nice. It just reminds you of what Christmas is all about.”

The Christmas Wonderland evening gets underway with a drinks reception at 7pm with dinner being served at 8pm.

Guests will also get to sample some Christmas goodies from Blackrock Cottage Pantry.

Tickets cost €75 and are available to buy now at www.blackrockcottage.ie

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A famously narrow street will finally be widened over the course of the next year – but already disappointment has been expressed over the delay involved.

The bottleneck at the heart of Dunmore is to be widened – a process that will involve the removal of vacant buildings in the village centre.

Cllr Ollie Turner – was speaking at a Tuam Municipal Council meeting – said that it was essential that the street be widened as it was a danger to traffic coming from both directions.

But he said that the timeline needs to be addressed.

“The clock is ticking on it so the one thing the Council needs to do is to proceed with the original proposed scheme. This basically means that Bridge Street to the Square will be developed initially. The Piper Reilly side is what they are going to be looking at first,” he said.

“They are going to have to do a survey and that is going to be carried out next April and will involve local residents. Bats are also being mentioned, so it is going to be next April or May before the planning process can begin which is very frustrating.

In terms of a timeline, it is going towards the middle of next year before we will see any physical movement.

“It will be making Bridge Street safer and that is no harm. It’s a slow burner but that is what we expect. I am confident they will deliver this,” added Cllr Turner.

Pictured: Cllr Ollie Turner at Bridge Street, Dunmore where he said that the gutters on the vacant buildings are ready to collapse.