Deireadh Seachtaine fiúntach ag Slogadh na nÓg 2010

Bhí Slogadh na nÓg ar siúl ón 16ú go dtí an 18ú Iúil i Leitir Fraic, i gConamara Co. na Gaillimhe i mbliana.

Ba é téama an deireadh seachtaine ná poilitíocht na Gaeilge, le cainteanna ar an nGaeilge sna mBlocanna H agus ar Gluaiseacht Cearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta, agus is ar sin a thosaigh an deireadh seachtaine or trathnóna dé hAoine.


Do labhair an chomhairleoir neamhspléach Seosamh Ó Cuaing ar ábhar Cearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta i leith caighdeáin bóithre, stáisiuin radió agus cearta iascaireachta. Bhí an suim ag cách ann, go mór mhór an chomparáid a bhí idir an streachailt i gConnamara, agus an streachailt a bhí ar siúil sa tuasiceart ag an am. Do tháinig an trathnóna chun deireadh le feásta beag chun breithlá iar-Eagarthóir Náisiúnta, Barry McColgan a chéiliuradh.

Thosaigh an Sathairn le turas timpeall Connamara chun taithneamh a bhaint as an tírdhreac álainn, agus chun roinnt de stair na háite a fhoghlaim. Cuireadh béim ar an Phiarsach agus Máirtín Ó Cadhain i rith turas Poblachtánach de Chonamara. Beirt fhear a thuig an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge mar pháirt den ghluaiseacht do shaoirse. Ar an tslí do stop gníomhaithe ag Mainistir Kylemore, agus ag teach an Phiarseach ag Rosmuc, áir ar chaith sé a chuid samhraidh fhad is a bhí sé in a múinteoir.

Chomh maith leis sin cuireadh ranganna Gaeilge ar fáil chun barr feabhais a chuir ar Ghaeilge muintir Ógra Shinn Féin.


Bhí mar an chaint dheireanach caint le Seamas Campbell agus Eoghan MacCormaic ar ábhar an Ghaeilge sna H-Blocks. Is caint fíor shuimiúil a bhí, agus do thug sé léargas nua do cách ar tabhacht agus úsáid an teange
Bhí ceol agus craic óiche dé sathairn, le roinnt amhránaíocht den scoth le Fintan Warfield, agus go leor eile, le iarracht den scoth ag David Collins ar Peigín Leitir Mór
An maidin dár gcionn do bhain daoine usáid as an aimsir maith chun siúilóid trí páirc náisiúnta Chonnamara sular bhuail siad bóthar.

De réir eagarthóir Connachta, Mairéad Ní Fhearghail, 'Is mór an fiúntas ar bhain daoine as an deireadh seachtaine agus do léirigh na cainteanna uile tábhacht na Gaeilge. Tá súil agam gur bhain daoine an thaithneamh as, agus go bhfuil daoine ag suil le sloagahd 2011 cheana féin!'

The weekend of the 16th to 18th of July saw the annual Slogadh na nóg take place in Letterfrack in Connamara. The theme of the weekend focused around the politics of Irish, and the role that it plays within republican and nationalist politics.

The first talk on the Friday was given on the Gaeltacht Civil Rights Movement by Independent local Councillor Seosamh O’Cuaing, an active member of the movement. The movement were involved on a number of different campaigns of relevance to the wider themes at issue, including fish-ins, and campaigns on the quality of the roads and on the need for a radio station in Irish.
Many activists found the discussion to be very interesting, in particular the exploration of the parallels between that struggle and the struggle for civil rights which was underway at the time in the north. The Friday evening ended with a celebration of Tyrone activist Barry mcColgan’s birthday, we have excluded the pictures for fear of causing Barry excessive embarrassment.

The Saturday morning began with a republican tour of Connamara, with activists taking in the rich history of the area, and enjoying the breathtaking scenery. The tour focused on Padraig Pearse and Mairtín Ó Caidhin among others, these two in particular being republicans who understood the importance of the Irish language in the struggle for independence.

The tour stopped at the beautiful Benedictine monastery, Kylemore abbey, and at Pearse’s cottage in Rosmuc, where he spent his summers when he was a teacher.
On returning from the tour, activists took a quick lunch before getting right back in to the swing of things with Irish classes with local Gaeilgeoirí, and by the end of it, activists confidence in speaking (and singing) in the language had greatly improved.

The final talk was given by Seamus Campbell and Eoghan macCormaic, both of whom learned Irish in the H-Blocks. This was a particularly fascinating discussion, going through the methods and the motivation for learning the language at that point, as well as some interesting anecdotes, which gave a fascinating and unique insight in to the importance of the language.
The night drew to a close with music from Ógra’s own Fintan Warfield, and many more, with David Collins’ unique interpretation of Peigí Leitir Mór, coming in for particular praise.
The following morning activists arose at a leisurely pace, but many took the time to explore the Connamara National Park, and take in its sights and sounds, before hitting the road, after a highly enjoyable and interesting weekend.

Connaught organiser, Mairead Farrell said that 'People got great benefit from the weekend, and the talks highlighted the importance of the Irish language in our struggle. I hope people enjoyed it, and that they are already looking forward to Slogadh 2011!!’