MINISTER HAILS IRISH / SCOTTISH LINKS AT CHRIST CHURCH

Minister of State Trevor Sargent TD hailed the continuing legacy of St Columba (Colm Cille) in Irish Scottish relations at a special festival held at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin this weekend. Strong attendances turned out for “Colmcille @ Christ Church”, which featured lectures on the legacy of the Saint in the areas of art, music, folklore and copyright law; and the cathedral area around historic Christ Church place resounded to the sound of both Gaelic languages into the late evening.

Choral Evensong, sung entirely in Irish and Scottish Gaelic in the Anglican cathedral choral tradition, drew large numbers, and featured music from Sean Ó Riada, and new choral compositions by Seoirse Bodley and Simon McHale. The Minister also launched a book based on an 8th century elegy to St Columba “Amra Choluim Chille”, along with an accompanying art exhibition by renowned artist Brian Ferran and calligrapher Donald Murray, which will run in the cathedral crypt until October 17th.

A special evening concert was held by candlelight before an appreciative audience, featuring leading singers and performers from the Gaelic traditions of both countries, and included the Cuil Aodha choir from West Cork, directed by Peadar Ó Riada; the Scottish Gaelic Psam Singers; Mary Smith; Roisin Elsafy and MacDara Ó Conaola.

Risteard MacGabhann, Chairman of Colmcille, commented: “From a distance, the common traditions of Irish and Scottish Gaelic are very obvious, but it is only when they meet in local projects of the sort supported by Colmcille that this common identity starts becoming meaningful again and starts bearing fruit. The Amra Choluim Chille project is a case in point. It is part of the common Gaelic heritage and one of the most ancient written creations of that heritage. Here it is once again engaging the creative energies and talents of scholars and artists on both sides of the Moyle”

The Very Rev Desmond Harman, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, said that the cathedral was delighted to have hosted this collaborative venture with Colmcille, and highlighted the long association of Christ Church with the Irish language through Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise.

Minister of State Trevor Sargent TD at the Amra launch in the cathedral crypt	Minister of State Trevor Sargent TD with Risteard MacGabhann, Chairman, Colmcille (Èirinn is Alba) at the Amra launch in the cathedral crypt
Brian Ferran, artist; Very Rev Desmond Harman, Dean of Christ Church; Minister of State Trevor Sargent TD and Risteard MacGabhann, Chairman, Colmcille (Èirinn is Alba) at the Amra launch	Róise Ní Bhaoill, ULTACH Trust; Áine Andrews; Malcolm Maclean of the Scottish Gaelic Arts Agency Pròiseact nan Ealan at the Amra launch in the cathedral crypt
Colm Cille lecturers Mairi MacArthur, Padraigín Clancy, Ronan Sheehan and Nicola Gordon Bowe, pictured at the Amra launch in the cathedral crypt	Valerie Jones, former DCO and Daithi O Maolchoille, Cumann Gaelach na hEaglaise, pictured at the Amra launch in the cathedral crypt
Mrs Sue Harman and Dr Kenneth Milne pictured at the Amra launch	(From left) Aonghas Dubh MacNeacail, Scottish Gaelic translator of the Amra; Brian Ferran, artist; Aodán MacPóilín, Director, ULTACH Trust; Minister of State Trevor Sargent TD; Dean Desmond Harman; Risteard MacGabhann, Chairman, Colmcille; Ronan Sheehan, Barrister, pictured at the Amra launch in the cathedral crypt

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