EAGRÁN 42 EANÁIR 2017

NUACHTLITIR CHILL CHOMÁIN

Trá Phort a’ Chlóidh achieved the top award in the category Coast Boast in ’s Cleaner Community Campaign 2016 (photo: Uinsíonn Mac Graith)

* Nuachtlitir Áitiúil

* A Community Newsletter

* Guth an phobail ar mhaithe leis an bpobal

* Published four times a year

* Provides a voice for the local community and an update on development issues

San eagrán seo: In this issue

Sonraí Teagmhála – Contact Details 2

Súil Siar – Annual Review 3-8

Scéalta Eile – Other News 9-10

Foilsithe ag Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo (i gcomhar le fo-choiste Ghlór na nGael) Coiste Bainistíochta an Chomharchumainn / The Management Committee

Cathaoirleach: Séamus Ó Murchú Rúnaí: Seán Mac Aindriú Cisteoir: Máire Cáit Uí Mhurchú Na baill eile: Micheál Ó Seighin, Caitlín Uí Sheighin, Micheál Ó Murchú, Micheál de Búrca, Uinsíonn Mac Graith agus Bríd Ní Sheighin.

Ráiteas Misin / Mission Statement

Is comharchumann forbartha pobail é Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo atá cláraithe le Clárlann na gCarachumann. Tá sé mar ráiteas misin aige oibriú go gníomhach ar shon forbairt theangeolaíocha/chultúrtha, bhonneagartha, oideachasúil agus shóisialta paróiste Chill Chomáin agus acmhainní nadúrtha agus daonna an cheantair a fhorbairt ar bhealach chomhtháite. Ag comhoibriú le Coiste Ghlór na nGael, grúpaí forbartha áitiúla agus eagraisí éagsúla stáit tá roinnt tograí curtha i gcrích go dáta.

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo is a community development co-operative which is registered with the Registry of Friendly Societies. Its mission is to work in a proactive way to promote the linguistic/cultural, infrastructural, educational and social development of the parish of Cill Chomáin and to develop in an integrated way the material and human resources of the area. Working in conjunction with Coiste Ghlór na nGael, local development groups and various state agencies a number of projects have been undertaken to date.

Ionad Eolais / Information Office

Tá oifig na heagraíochta lonnaithe sa Seanscoil i The organisation’s office is located in the Seanscoil, gCeathrú Thaidhg áit a bhfuil na seirbhísí seo a Ceathrú Thaidhg where the following services are leanas le fáil:- available:-

Eolas agus comhairle do choistí pobail maidir le Information and assistance to community groups in ról na n-eagras forbartha, conas tograí a fhorbairt relation to the role of development agencies, agus a bhainistiú, foinsí maoinithe &rl. developing and managing projects, sourcing funding etc. Foirmeacha iarratais ar scéimeanna éagsúla mar shampla deiseanna traenála &rl. Application forms on various schemes including training opportunities etc. Seirbhísí cóipéala, laminating agus facs Photocopying, laminating and fax services. Seirbhísí eolais do chuairteoirí - léarscáileanna, bróisiúirí, leabhráin, dlúthdhioscanna, cártaí Visitor information including maps, brochures, poist, leabharlann d’ábhar béaloideasa agus booklets, CD ROMs, postcards, a library of folklore liteartha Gaeilge, taispeántas grianghraif &rl. and material, photographs etc.

Guth an Phobail / Have Your Say

Má tá spéis agat a bheith i do bhall ar an gcomharchumann agus ionchar níos mó a bheith agat ar chúrsaí forbartha na háite déan teagmháil le Treasa le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais. Má tá aon tuairimí agat ar ábhar an nuachtlitir seo nó moltaí le haghaidh an chéad eagrán eile ba bhreá linn cloisteáil uait.

If you would like to become a member of the comharchumann and have a greater input into the overall development of the area please contact Treasa for further information. We welcome your comments on the items covered in this newsletter and/or any ideas you may have for the next issue.

Déan teagmháil le Treasa Ní Ghearraigh, Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo, An tSeanscoil, Ceathrú Thaidhg, Béal an Átha, Co. Mhaigh Eo Guthán: 097 88082 Ríomhphoist: [email protected] Tá súil againn go raibh Nollaig deas agaibh agus athbhliain faoi sheán agus faoi mhaise. San eagrán seo den Nuachtlitir caitheann muid súil siar ar na tionscnaimh a bhí idir láimhe ag Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo i 2016. Ag dearcadh amach romhainn leagann ‘Plean Forbartha Chill Chomáin 2015 – 2019’ amach straitéis forbartha don pharóiste don tréimhse sin. Is féidir leat cóip a fháil ó Threasa ag [email protected] (nó glaoigh ar 097 88082 / 087 1251642).

We hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and wish you all a happy and healthy new year. In this issue of the Newsletter we glance back on the projects that were undertaken by Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo in 2016. We also look forward as we plan for the future. ‘The Cill Chomáin Development Plan 2015 – 2019’ lays out a strategy for the development of the parish over that period. To receive a copy please contact Treasa at [email protected] (or phone 097 88082 / 087 1251642)

Is ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine.

Súil Siar / Annual Review

Ag cruinniú cinnbhliana Chomhar Dún Chaocháin Teo sa Seanscoil ar an 28ú Samhain dháil an bainisteoir Treasa Ní Ghearraigh tuairisc ar obair na bliana 2016.

Tá caomhnú agus cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ar cheann de na príomhspriocanna atá ag Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo. Eagraítear cúrsaí Gaeilge agus seirbhísí aistriúcháin in Ionad Seirbhísí Teanga na Seanscoile i gCeathrú Thaidhg, áit a bhfuil acmhainní tacaíochta foghlama le fáil. Tá an comharchumann páirteach sa ghrúpa oibre ‘Gaeilge Iorrais’ atá roghnaithe ag Údarás na Gaeltachta mar cheanneagraíocht pleanála teanga do Limistéar Mhaigh Eo Thuaidh. Eagraíodh imeachtaí éagsúla teanga-bhunaithe mar chuid de ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’, i gcomhar le , chomh maith.

I measc na spriocghrúpaí a dhéanann an comharchumann freastal orthu tá páistí réamhscoile. Is seirbhísí réamhscoile trí Ghaeilge iad Naíonra Dhún Chaocháin, atá lonnaithe sa Seanscoil, agus Naíonra Ghleann na Muaidhe atá lonnaithe in ionad tacaíochta teaghlaigh ag Bun Altaí. Faigheann na tograí cúraim leanaí seo airgeadú ón gClár Infheistíochta Náisiúnta Cúraim Leanaí, atá faoi chúram na Roinne Sláinte agus Leanaí, agus atá maoinithe ag Rialtas na hÉireann faoin bPlean Forbartha Náisiúnta 2007-2013. Cuireann Tusla (An Ghníomhaireacht um Leanaí agus an Teaghlach), Coiste Cúraim Leanaí Chondae Mhaigh Eo agus Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teo tacaíocht agus comhairle ar fáil.

I mí Iúil eagraíodh campaí samhraidh i Ros Dumhach agus i nGleann na Muaidhe i gcomhar le Coiste Campaí Samhraidh Iorrais agus Muintearas Teo, faoi Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh d’Aos Óg na Gaeltachta. Is í an Ghaeilge an teanga feidhme sna campaí, a chuireann imeachtaí siamsaíochta, oideachaisiúil agus cultúrtha ar fáil do pháistí réamhscoile agus bunscoile an cheantair.

Tá Club Óige Cheathrú Thaidhg ag comhoibriú le Muintearas Teo chun seirbhísí óige a sholáthar sa gceantar. D’eagraigh coiste an Chlub sraith imeachtaí i rith na bliana faoi chúram tuismitheoirí áitiúla. Eagraítear ranganna damhsa traidisiúnta agus ranganna ceoil sa Seanscoil faoi stiúir Scoil Damhsa Uí Chuimlín chomh maith.

Leis na hathraithe atá tagtha ar chúrsaí eacnamaíochta agus ar shaol an phobail tá gá le scileanna nua a fhoghlaim nó barr feabhas a chur ar na scileanna atá ag daoine cheana féin sa gcaoi is go mbeidh deis níos fearr acu fostaíocht a aimsiú nó a ngnó féin a bhunú. Faoi láthair tá an comharchumann ag fiosrú céard iad na riachtanais oiliúna atá ag daoine sa bparóiste agus ag pleanáil dá réir.

3 Rinne Gárda Chósta an Bhaile Ghlais cur i láthair sa Seanscoil i mí Feabhra, áit ar mhínigh na baill an chaoi a bunaíodh an Gárda Cósta, an ról agus na cúraimí atá aige agus an chaoi gur féidir leis an bpobal tacú leis. Ag leanúint uaidh sin d’eagraigh an grúpa Dífhibrileoir Chroí Iorrais traenáil ar an gcaoi a úsáidtear dífhibrileoir. Tá dífhibrileoir agus bosca téite anois crochta lasmuigh den Seanscoil áit a mbeidh sé le fáil ag an bpobal an t-am uilig i gcás práinne.

Tá Siúlóidí Ceathrú Thaidhg (Lúb Chlann Lir, Lúb an Chlaí Dhuibh agus Lúb na Binne Buí) ag mealladh cuairteoirí isteach sa gceantar agus eagraíodh siúlóidí treoraithe i rith na bliana. Ag tosnú amach agus ag críochnú ó lárionad na Seanscoile, tá gach siúlóid treormharcáilte le dath difrúil ag brath ar a dianacht. Déanann clár eolais agus bróisiúr dá-theangach ildaite cur síos ar sonraí na mbealaí agus ar phointí suimiúla.

Is feachtas féin-chabhrach Na Comhluadair Bheo a bhfuil sé mar aidhm aige próifil an cheantair mar tháirge nó mar cheann scríbe turasóireachta a ardú. Tá suíomh cuimsitheach idirlíne ina ghné thabhachtach den bhfeachtas margaíochta atá le feiceáil ag www..info áit a bhfuil rogha pacáistí saoire le fáil le freastal ar ghrúpaí éagsúla.

Rinneadh comhoibriú leis an ngrianghrafadóir Amelia Stein chun an taispeántas ‘Precipice’ (atá dírithe ar na hailt agus ar an ngeolaíocht atá le feiceáil idir Port a’ Chlóidh agus An Rinn Rua) a sheoladh in Áras Inis Gluaire, Béal an Mhuirthead i mí Meitheamh. Ba é Mick O’ Dea (Uachtarán Acadamh Ríoga Éireann) a rinne an seoladh oifigiúil. Ag ócáid eile labhair an Dochtúir Peadar McArdle (Iar-stiúrthóir le Suirbhé Geolaíoch na hÉireann) agus Uinsíonn Mac Graith (a bhfuil taighde agus mapáil déanta aige ar logainmneacha Gaeilge áitiúla) ar an tírdhreach atá ceaptha i ngrianghraif Amelia.

Cheadaigh an Chomhairle Oidhreachta deontas do Chomhar Dún Chaocháin Teo faoin Scéim Deontais Bainistithe Oidhreachta 2016 chun suirbhé topagrafaíochta agus geofisiceach a dhéanamh ar an mullán réamh-stairiúil atá lonnaithe i dTeampall Chill Ghallagáin. I mí Meitheamh rinneadh an suirbhé faoi threoir Kevin Barton (Seirbhísí Tírdhreacha agus Geofisiceach) agus le cuidiú rannphairtithe ó Scéim Shóisialta Tuaithe Chill Chomáin, chomh maith le oibrithe deonacha áitiúla. Baineadh úsáid as an t-eolas seo chun plean cosanta agus bainistíochta a fhorbairt. Rinne Kevin cur i láthair don phobal sa Seanscoil ar réamh- thorthaí an suirbhé mar chuid de Sheachtain Oidhreachta. 4 Scéal ársa atá sa Táin Bó Fhliodhaise a dhéanann cur síos ar an tslí a lean arm Mheadhbh, ó Rath Chruacháin i gCondae Ros Comáin isteach go hIorras ar ruaig chreiche eallaigh. Cuireadh grúpa oibre ar bun chun féidearthachtaí forbartha an Táin mar tháirge teangeolaíoch, cultúrtha agus turasóireachta a phlé. I mí Meán Fómhair rinne Jim Henry agus Diana Taylor cur i láthair sleamhnáin ar ghnéithe den Táin mar chuid d’Oíche Chultúir.

Thug go leor grúpaí cuairt ar pharóiste Chill Chomáin i rith na bliana ina measc scoláirí ó Ollscoil Boston, in éineacht lena stiúrthóir acadúil Rita Ní Dhonnchadha. Tá na scolairí, atá ag déanamh staidéir ar Chúrsaí Oidhreachta, ag caitheamh téarma in Ollscoil na hÉireann Gaillimh mar pháirt dár dtaithí staidéir thar lear. Rinne grúpa scolairí eile ó Choláiste Berea, Kentucky staidéar ar sean-áitrimh chónaithe (clacháin) sa gceantar faoi threoir an Dochtúir Deb Rotman (scolaire Fulbright agus antraipeolaí ó Ollscoil Notre Dame) agus an tOllamh Broughton Anderson (Clár Ealaíne agus Stair na hEalaíne) i gcomhpháirtíocht le Institiúid Teicneolaíochta na Gaillimhe-Mhaigh Eo agus Coláiste na hOllscoile Baile Átha Cliath. Thug Uinsíonn Mac Graith na grúpaí ar thuras treoraithe le léargas a thabhairt dóibh ar oidhreacht agus ar chultúr na háite.

Tá plean oibre timpeallachta an chomharchumainn dá chur i bhfeidhm faoi Scéim Shóisialta Tuaithe Chill Chomáin, atá dá reachtáil ag Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Chill Chomáin faoi scáth Údarás na Gaeltachta. Chuir rannphairtithe na scéime urlár úr adhmaid agus stáitse úr isteach i halla pobail na Seanscoile le cúnamh airgeadú ó hÚdarás na Gaeltachta faoin Scéim Fiontar Pobail.

Nuair a d’fhógair an tAire Comhshaoil, Pobal agus Rialtas Áitiúil, Simon Coveney, gradaim an Chósta Ghlais 2016 ainmníodh trá Phort a’ Chlóidh i measc na dtránna a bhain an gradam náisiúnta timpeallachta seo amach. Tá an gradam bunaithe ar thimpeallacht neamhmhillteach, caighdeán ard uisce a chomhlíonann treoracha an Aontas Eorpach, agus áilleacht nádúrtha.

Bhain Trá Phort a’ Chlóidh amach an príomhdhuais sa chondae sa rannóg Cúram an Chósta sa bhfeachtas Beartais in Aghaidh Bruscair 2016 atá eagraithe ag Comhairle Chondae Mhaigh Eo. Ag an ócáid bhronnta i dTeach i mí na Samhna tugadh aitheantas do Chomhar Dún Chaocháin Teo as ucht a iarrachtaí leanúnach chun an cósta a choinneáil glan.

Cuireann an comharchumann eolas / cuidiú ar fáil do choistí deonacha ar chonas tograí a fhorbairt agus a bhainistiú, foinsí maoinithe arl. Tá eolas agus foirmeacha iarratais le fáil ar scéimeanna éagsúla cosúil le deiseanna traenála agus forbairt fiontair, maraon le seirbhísí cóipéala, laminating agus facs. Foilsítear Nuachtlitir Chill Chomáin, nuachtlitir ceathrú, a chuireann guth ar fáil don phobal agus a choinníonn an pobal ar an eolas ar chúrsaí reatha.

At the Annual General Meeting of Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo in the Seanscoil on 28th November last the Manager Treasa Ní Ghearraigh gave a progress report for 2016.

The promotion and preservation of the Irish language is one of the main objectives of Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo. Irish language courses and Irish translation services are organized in Ionad Seirbhísí Teanga na Seanscoile (Language Centre) in Ceathrú Thaidhg where a special-purpose training room houses a library of learning 5 resource materials. The co-operative is a member of the working group ‘Gaeilge Iorrais’ which has been selected by Údarás na Gaeltachta as the lead language planning organization in the North Mayo Gaeltacht region. A programme of language-based activities was also organized as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge in association with Conradh na Gaeilge.

Among the target groups catered for by the comharchumann (co-op) are pre-school children. Naíonra Dhún Chaocháin in Ceathrú Thaidhg and Naíonra Ghleann na Muaidhe in are both community run, Irish language pre-school services which provide for the needs of children and their parents in these areas. These childcare projects currently receive funding from the Irish Government under the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013 through The National Childcare Investment Programme. Tusla (Child and Family Agency), Mayo County Childcare Committee and Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teo also provide assistance and advice.

In July Irish Summer Camps, which offer recreational, educational and cultural activities for local pre-school and primary school children, were organised in Ros Dumhach and Gleann na Muaidhe in conjunction with Coiste Campaí Samhraidh Iorrais and Muintearas Teo, with the assistance of funding received from Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh d’Aos Óg na Gaeltachta.

Club Óige Cheathrú Thaidhg is working in co-operation with Muintearas Teo to provide youth services in the area. The Club committee organized a variety of activities during the year under the guidance of local parents. Traditional Irish dancing and music lessons with The Timlin School of Dancing are also held in the Seanscoil.

Taking account of changing economic circumstances, lifelong learning and the acquisition of new skills is an ongoing process. The co-op is currently assessing the training requirements of people living in the parish and planning accordingly.

Ballyglass Coastguard Unit gave a talk in the Seanscoil in February where members of the unit explained how the coastguard service was established, its role and responsibilities and how the public can help it to achieve its role. HeartBeat Defibrillator subsequently organized training on the use of a Defibrillator and Community First Responder. A defib and heated box has now been installed outside the Seanscoil where it is accessible to the community at any time.

The Ceathrú Thaidhg loop walks (Lúb Chlann Lir, Lúb an Chlaí Dhuibh and Lúb na Binne Buí) continue to attract visitors to the area and guided walks were organised during the year. Starting and finishing at the Seanscoil community centre, each loop is waymarked and colour-coded according to its level of difficulty. A bi-lingual information board and brochure provide details on trail directions and points of interest en route.

6 The Na Comhluadair Bheo project aims to raise the profile of the area as a tourism product or destination. To help achieve this, a website has been designed which can be viewed at www.gaeltacht.info where a choice of holiday packages is available to cater for visiting groups.

June marked the official opening in Áras Inis Gluaire, of an exhibition of photographs from Amelia Stein entitled ‘Precipice’ which depict the breathtaking coastline of Dún Chaocháin from Port a’ Chlóidh to Rinn Rua. The launch was performed by the President of the RHA Mick O’Dea. In a related event Dr Peadar McArdle (former Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland) and Uinsíonn Mac Graith (who has carried out research and mapped local Irish placenames) described the landscape captured in Amelia’s photographs.

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo received a Heritage Council grant under the Heritage Management Grant Scheme 2016 to undertake a topographic and geophysical survey of the pre-historic mound in Cill Ghallagáin graveyard. Under the guidance of Kevin Barton (Landscape & Geophysical Services) and with the assistance of participants on the Cill Chomáin Rural Social Scheme as well as local volunteers the survey was completed in June and the information collected was used to develop a conservation and management plan. Kevin presented the preliminary findings of the survey to the community in the Seanscoil as part of Heritage Week.

The Táin Bó Fhliodhaise is a first century saga describing a cattle raid which brought Queen Meave’s army from Rath Chruachain in Roscommon on a journey through Erris. A working group has carried out preliminary research on the Táin with a view to highlighting its potential as a linguistic, cultural and tourism product in the context of the great Irish cattle raid sagas. In September Jim Henry and Diana Taylor gave a slideshow presentation on aspects of the story as part of Culture Night.

Many groups visited the parish of Cill Chomáin during the year including a group of students from Boston College, accompanied by their academic director Rita Donoghue. The students, who are studying Heritage Studies, are spending a term at NUI Galway as part of their study abroad experience. Another group of students from Berea College in Kentucky studied old habitation sites (clachans) in the area under the guidance of Dr. Deb Rotman (Fulbright scholar and University of

7 Notre Dame anthropologist) and Professor Broughton Anderson (Art and Art History Programme) in collaboration with GMIT Mayo and University College Dublin. Their visits included a guided walk with Uinsíonn Mac Graith where they gained an insight into the rich cultural heritage of the area.

The Cill Chomáin Rural Social Scheme is managed by Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Chill Chomáin under the auspices of Údarás na Gaeltachta and includes an environmental workplan submitted by the co-operative. Participants on the scheme installed a wooden floor and erected a new stage in the main hall of the Seanscoil community centre, works which were funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta under the Scéim Fiontar Pobail.

When the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney, announced the 2016 Green Coast Awards, Port a’ Chlóidh beach was named as one of the recipients of this national environmental award. The award is based on a pristine environment, excellent water quality which complies with E.U. regulations, and natural beauty.

Trá Phort a’ Chlóidh (Portacloy beach) achieved the top award in Mayo County Council’s Cleaner Community Campaign 2016 in the category ‘Coast Boast’. At a special awards ceremony, which was held in Breaffy House Hotel in November, Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo was acknowledged for its ongoing efforts towards maintaining a cleaner coast.

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo’s office provides information/assistance to voluntary groups in relation to developing and managing projects, sourcing funding etc. Information and application forms are available on various schemes including training opportunities and enterprise development, as well as photocopying, laminating and fax services. Nuachtlitir Chill Chomáin, a community newsletter, is published four times a year providing a voice for the local community and an update on development issues.

8 Scéalta Eile / Other News

Seanchas agus Comhrá sa Seanscoil

Eagrófar seisiúin chomhrá agus seanchas sa Seanscoil chuile oíche Dé Luain ag 8.00 i.n. ag tosnú ar an 9ú Eanáir. Tá fáilte roimh chuile dhuine freastal le blas a fháil ar scéalta agus ar bhéaloideas na háite. Tá breis eolais le fáil ó Threasa ag 097 88082 / 087 1251642.

Sessions of conversation and storytelling will be organized in the Seanscoil every Monday at 8.00 p.m. starting on 9th January. Everyone is welcome to attend to get a flavour of the stories and folklore of the area. For further information please contact Treasa on 097 88082 / 087 1251642.

Ionad Taighde agus Staidéir Bhéal Deirg

Tá ciorcal comhrá ar siúl in Ionad Taighde agus Staidéir Bhéal Deirg chuile oíche Dé Máirt ag 8.00 i.n. Ranganna neamhfhoirmiúla atá i gceist leis an bhéim ar an nGaeilge labhartha agus na focail choitianta a úsáidtear sa ghnáthchaint. De réir a chéile cuirfidh an cúrsa le do mhuinín i dtuiscint agus i labhairt na teanga. Tá breis eolais le fáil ó Mháire Uí Ghiollabhearraigh ag 087 7502668.

Conversational Irish classes are held in Béal Deirg Research and Study Centre every Tuesday at 8.00 p.m. Classes are informal with an emphasis on spoken Irish and common phrases used in everyday conversation. The course will add to your confidence in understanding and speaking the language. For further information, please contact Máire Uí Ghiollabhearraigh on 087 7502668.

Foghlaimeoirí Gaeilge atá ag freastal ar Ciorcal Comhrá san Ionad Taighde agus Staidéir i mBéal Deirg (ina seasamh ó chlé) tá Tony Corcoran, Michael O’ Malley, John O’ Boyle, Vincent Thomas, Padraig Mc Cann, Evelyn Mc Hale, Emily Nallen agus Catherine O’ Boyle. Ina suí ó chlé tá Mary Mc Avock, Mary Gilvarry, Vincent Mc Grath, Cauleen Barrett, Patricia Coultry, Liam Barrett agus Padraig Mc Avock (as láthair Deirdre O’ Donnell). Is é Vincent Mc Grath atá i mbun teagaisc ar na ranganna seo, atá maoinithe ag Údarás na Gaeltachta. (grianghraf: John Patrick Mc Nulty)

9 Seoladh an leabhar ‘Fields of Rye’

Déanann an leabhar ‘Fields of Rye’, atá scriofa agus foilsithe ag Des Garvin, cur síos ar ghinealeolaíocht agus ar bhéaloideas Shraith a’ tSeagail. Tá startha na gclanna ag dul siar 200 bliain agus tagann na scéalta anuas ó ghlúin go glúin. Tá breis agus 150 ghrianghraif ón gceantar sa leabhar, cuid acu an- neamhchoitianta. Mhol an Dochtúir Séamus Mac Conghamhna, a rinne seoladh oifigiúil ar an leabhar sa Seanscoil, an mion-thaighde a rinne Des agus dúirt sé gur acmhainn fíor luachmhar a bhí ann don ghlúin reatha agus do na glúine atá le teacht. Tá an leabhar ar díol ag Siopa Ghearbháin agus sa Seanscoil i gCeathrú Thaidhg no is féidir é a cheannacht ar line ag www.shrataggle.com

Written and published by Des Garvin, the book Fields of Rye describes the genealogy and folklore of Sraith a’ tSeagail. The family histories are traced back over 200 years and the stories are handed down through the generations. The book also includes over 150 photographs from the area, many of which are extremely rare. Dr Seamus Caulfield, who performed the official launch of the book in the Seanscoil, praised the meticulous research undertaken by Des, stating that it was an invaluable resource for the current and future generations. The book is on sale in Garvin's shop and at the Seanscoil in Ceathrú Thaidhg or can be purchased online at www.shrataggle.com Photographed at the official launch are Dr Seamus Caulfield, Des Garvin with his daughter Caroline and grandson. (photo: Uinsíonn Mac Graith)

Cúram an Chósta – Coast Boast

Bhain Trá Phort a’ Chlóidh amach an príomhdhuais sa chondae sa rannóg Cúram an Chósta sa bhfeachtas Beartais in Aghaidh Bruscair 2016 atá eagraithe ag Comhairle Chondae Mhaigh Eo. Ag an ócáid bhronnta i dTeach Breaffy ar an 21ú Samhain tugadh aitheantas do Chomhar Dún Chaocháin Teo as ucht a iarrachtaí leanúnach chun an cósta a choinneáil glan. At the Cleaner Communities Campaign / Litter Action Awards 2016 ceremony which was hosted by Mayo County Council in the Breaffy House Hotel Councillor Al Mc Donnell (Cathaoirleach Mayo County Council), Peter Hynes (Chief Executive Mayo County Council), Tom Gilligan (Director of Services) and environmental staff are photographed with Treasa Ní Ghearraigh and Uinsíonn Mac Graith who accepted the Coast Boast award on behalf of Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo (photo Elizabeth Toher)

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