On
Sunday October 9th, Cáirde na Teanga Gaeilge sponsored this
year's successful bi-lingual brunch for Nollaig Ó Gadhra, former
Uachtarán / International President of Conradh na Gaeilge (the
Irish-based Gaelic League). The first Eoghan Ó Growney Award for
support for the Irish language was presented to Irish Christian
Brother Charles B. Quinn of Iona College. The event was held at
Mc Gee's on West 55th St in Manhattan (New York City). Nollaig's
topic for the event was titled, 'How we achieved Full Status for
our language in the European Union'.
Gearóid Ó Ceallaigh of Cumann Carad Na Gaeilge( The Philo-Celtic
Society) welcomed the guests in Gaeilge agus Bearla. Gearóid,
who was born and raised in America, demonstrated a great command
of An Gaeilge.
Liam Ó Murchada chaired the Lón again this year, and headed up a
committee of Gaeilge (Irish ) activists and enthusiasts that
have been involved in promoting An Gaeilge during difficult
times of the last century. Liam introduced Nollaig Ó Gadhra,
Uachtarán Emeritus Chonradh Na Gaeilge, and spoke of his
crusading zeal for An Gaeilge, of his major roles in the
achievements of Irish language television (TG4), of Language
Equality within Ireland, and in the campaign that forced the
Dublin government to change policy and bring to the European
Community the case for the recognition of An Gaeilge as an
official working language. (Nollaig, who is a regular reporter
and commentator on WBAI's Radio Free Éireann weekly radio show,
has also authored a number of books and both studied and
lectured at Harvard University.)
In his talk, Nollaig gave a rare insight into the inner workings
of European Community (EU) in dealing with such matter as the
languages in the EU, and more importantly the politics that
drives them. He spoke of the role of smaller countries and of
their well founded fears that their languages may be
marginalized, especially if the Irish language did not achieve
its goal of reaching Full Status. He said that this was
particularly true with newcomers to the EU, although Austria,
when contacted for help was most helpful because, as is the case
with Ireland, they had also had been in the shadow of Germany, a
bigger neighbor. Many Eastern Europeans looked to Ireland to
lead them in this crucial moment of holding on to their language
and on to their cultural identities. Nollaig said that he was
surprised at the lack of support by the Spanish and the Dutch.
He said that the Dutch may have been concerned because they were
one of the original Six and the Spanish were concerned by the
minority languages within their borders.
On this point Nollaig gave full credit to the Dublin
administration, especially to Bertie Ahearn, who had worked with
Conradh na Gaeilge on the issue and smoothed for the road for
Gaeilge by convincing his counterpart, the Spanish prime
minister, of the noble intentions and goals of the Irish
language campaign in the EU.
Nollaig emphasized the hard work and effort that went into the
campaign in Ireland, prior to campaigning on the continent. He
said that Conradh Na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League), of which he
was Uachtarán (President), along with similar organizations
campaigned feverishly at a grassroots level all over Ireland for
support. He said that they got a lot of support from people who
did not even speak An Gaeilge, but may have seen the opportunity
for Ireland to leave the shadows of her neighbors, and achieve
better European employability for Irish people, given the EU
requirement for three languages (i.e., Irish, English plus one
other European language).
Nollaig covered a wide range of inner European politics and the
importance of language to smaller countries in forestalling
being swallowed by larger states. He cautioned that while this
was an important step, that there was absolutely no guarantee of
a safe passage for the growth of Gaeilge anywhere, including
Ireland itself. He emphasized that Gaeilge activists who fought
great odds over the years must not relax, but must build on this
success and ensure that there is another generation, even better
prepared, utilizing the new technologies that are available from
organizations like Conradh Na Gaeilge and Gael Linn in Ireland.
Nollaig stressed the need for activist and leaders in the
Gaeilge movement to become deeply embedded in the community,
especially in Ireland because he said that that was the only
sure way to keep the language in use and thus ensure continued
growth.
The first Eoghan Ó Growney Award was accepted by Muiris Ó Bric
of Gort na Dubh, on behalf of An Bhráthair Cathal Ó Cuinn ó
Coláiste Í (Brother Charles B. Quinn of Iona College). Brother
Quinn, who at ninety two years of age was unable to attend,
because he was recovering from surgery. A descendant of the
Dalcassian Niall Ó Cuinn, who fell at Clontarf in 1014, Brother
Quinn was born in America in 1913; he returned with his family
to Ireland at age 10. He perfected his Irish from truly
inspired, and inspiring, teachers in the Christian Brothers
School in Ennistymon, County Clare, joining the Irish Christian
Brothers himself in 1929. He finished his education at
University College Dublin, and taught at New Ross and in
Tipperary and in the Synge Street CBS in Dublin. He was
transferred back to New York in 1949, teaching at All Hallows,
until his final transfer to Iona in 1957 where he taught Irish
and Literature and served as Dean. He was moderator of the Iona
Gaelic Society and gave a lot of his own time in teaching An
Gaeilge and authored a text book to teach An Gaeilge titled
Irish For Everyone. He also wrote as Gaeilge, Oige na Tire, a
collection of essays on the history of Ireland.
In recognition of his unselfish work for generations of
students, Bro Quinn was selected 1982 Grand Marshal of the New
York Saint Patrick's Day Parade; Muiris said that the only way
that the modest Bro Cathal would accept the honor of being the
Grand Marshal was when he, Muiris asked him to accept it for
Iona. Muiris paid an eloquent tribute in his native Ciarrai
(Kerry) Gaeilge to Bro. Quinn, whom he has known for thirty
years in their ongoing promotion of An Gaeilge. He said that
Bro. Quinn was surprised and delighted when told that he was to
receive the first Eoghan Ó Growney Award at the Lón, and had
every intention of receiving the award in person. Muiris said
that Bro Cathal was truly impressed that the Award was named
after Fr. Eoghan O Growney, because he said that Fr. Eoghan Ó
Growney was the unbroken link that bridged the gap between the
18th and 19th century activists when Gaeilge was on the verge of
a disastrous demise and that the award would also highlight the
work that Eoghan O Growney had done. It was fitting that Muiris
Ó Bric paid tribute To Bro. Cathal as Gaeilge (in Irish) because
Muiris said that in the 35 years that he has known Bro Quinn he
has never left his presence without having learned something
new, ha added that they always spoke An Gaeilge when there were
no Berloir (English-only speakers) present.
The lavish praise bestowed on Bro Quinn was matched by the
magnificent Eoghan Growney Award, a beautifully illustrated
framed original painting by Brian Mór Ó Baoighill that captured
the spirit that has been handed down from the Iona of Colm
Cille.
Liam Ó Murchada introduced Celtic folk artist Brian Mór Ó
Baoighill who also designed the marvelous full-color Lón Program
(a collector's item) and compared his gifted works of Celtic art
to that of the Irish monks who handed down another great Gaelic
tradition to their present day scholars like Brian Mór.
A video of the event will be available in the near future by
contacting nifcmem@optonline.net. Nollaig Ó Gadhra, who had
presented to Muiris for Brother Quinn an Irish crystal Nativity
set, was himself presented with a book on John Boyle Ó Reilly
that was written by Roche and edited by John Boyle's wife; Brian
Mór, saying that the book would serve a better purpose with
Nollaig that anywhere else. This book is also a collector's item
and long out of print! In accepting, Nollaig, who was in vintage
form, commented on the history of the book and of many of the
people from that era.
Cairde na Teanga Gaeilge wishes to extend thanks to all those
who attended and to the staff of Mc Gees who laid on another
Irish tradition - a sumptuous breakfast.
