Treasure hunt in the native tongue

IN collaboration with Glór na nGael Gaeilge Officer, Dara O Baoill, the local Valentia-based Glór na nGael subcommittee and Eoin O Donoghue from Glanleam House, a treasure hunt (Toraíocht Taisce) and family picnic (Picnic Teaghlaigh) was held at Glanleam Gardens, Valentia on Saturday July 8.

A total of 60 people, 42 children from 20 families turned up on the lovely morning to give their support to the Irish language. Muintir Uí Dhonnchú, Úí Chonaill, Uí Kidd, Uí hÉalaithe, Uí Chonnraoi, Mhic Chionna, Uí Chonchubhair, Uí Dhrisceoil, Uí Shé, Uí Sheanacháin, Uí Fhoráin agus muintir Mhic Gabhann from Oilean Dairbhre enjoyed meeting up – through the medium of Irish – with families from An Mhórtír; Muintir Uí Chorráin, Uí Bholghuidhir, Uí Dhrisceoil, Uí Mhurchú, Mhic Chárthaigh from Port Mhig Aoidh and Muintir Uí Chonchubhair from Thar-an-Ghóilín and Muintir Uí Chobhthaigh from Cárthan, Cathair Saidhbhín.

The Warner family on vacation from England also joined the event. Their mother and grandmother was the late Bridie Cooper from Valentia, who resided in Hull.

The children had fun playing and running around to find the treasure items and when the young energy was spent, a family picnic was enjoyed near the historic Glanleam House.

A great opportunity was provided for families to get together, catch up, have fun and use the Irish language. Fluency was not a requirement, just an interest in the language and a willingness to hear and speak the amount that the individual had ar bharr a theanga.

The local Glór subcommittee hope to have regular events trí Ghaeilge for children and adults on Valentia with the aim of promoting the natural use of the language in everyday communication.

Over the weekend one of the committee members was delighted to hear, on meeting the lovely Róise Ní Chíosóig, who studies at Coláiste Íde and works at Siopa Breathnach, Knightstown, that an invited speaker to Coláiste Ide spoke of the growth of the Irish language on Valentia.

This recent event at Glanleam certainly held true to the Messenger of Good Tidings ar an taobh eile de Bhá an Daingin.