Siamsa an Gheimhridh

In 1892 Domhnall Ó Fotharta compiled a collection of songs, stories, proverbs, prayers, proverbs, games and riddles. Fotharta was from Clifden and was a schoolteacher in Caladh, Ballinconneely. He asked the school children to collect stories and songs from their families in the village and bring them to school. The book provides an insight into the oral literature and pastimes that were practiced in north-west Connemara in the second half of the 19th century. Fotharta understood that the language was at a low ebb in the area and that the visiting, storytelling and singing by the fireside would soon fade away with it. He mourned the past but found solace, as he himself said, in the ‘memory of the people who used to gather and the talk and the wisdom they had”. The book was first published in 1892.

Peadar Ó Ceannabháin will be joined by his musical family Eoghan (TG4 Singer of the Year 2024), Saileog and Muireann.

I 1892 rinne Domhnall Ó Fotharta cnuasach amhráin, scéalta, orthaí, paidreacha, seanráite, cluichí agus tomhaiseanna. As an Clochán do Fhothartach agus bhí sé ina oide scoile sa gCaladh i bparóiste Bhaile an Dúin, Baile Conaola. D’iarr sé ar gasúir na scoile scéalta agus amhráin a fháil óna muintir sa mbaile agus iad a thabhairt ag an scoil . Sin é an cuid is mó den ábhar sa leabahar seo. Tugann an leabhar léargas ar an litríocht bhéil agus ar an gcaitheamh aimsire a bhíodh ar bun in iarthuaisceart Chonamara sa dara leath den 19ú céad. Thuig an Fothartach go raibh an teanga ar lagthrá sa gceantar agus go dtráfadh an chuartaíocht, an t-airneán agus an tsiamsaíocht cois teallaigh dá réir. Chronaigh sé an seansaol ach bhain sólás, mar a dúirt sé féin, an ‘cuimhneamh ar na daoine a bhíodh cruinn agus ar an gcaint agus ar an gcomhairle a bhíodh ar bun acu’. Foilsíodh an leabhar i dtosach sa mbliain 1892.

Fonnadóir den scoth é Peadar Ó Ceannabháin agus in éineacht leis beidh a chlann ceolmhar Eoghan (TG4 Amhránaí na Bliana 2024), Saileog agus Muireann.

This bilingual event honours Domhnall’s legacy, renewing its relevance for today.