We thank Breandán Ó Caoimh for the following very interesting Press Release regarding the upcoming Centenary Commemoration of the renowned An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire. (S.R.)
An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire, Comóradh 100 Bliain
The people of Carriganima extend a céad míle fáilte to everybody to join with them in commemorating the centenary of An tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire. The commemoration will take place over two days: Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21. The renowned priest, scholar and author was born in the townland of Liscarrigane, in the parish of Clondrohid & Carriganima, and he spent his formative years here. The locality had a profound impact on his work. An tAthair Peadar was a strong advocate of vernacular Irish – the language of the people. His most beloved works include Séadna and Mo Scéal Féin. These stories, among other works, are much loved by students and scholars of Irish to this day. Following his clerical formation in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth, An tAthair Peadar, served as a priest in the Diocese of Cloyne, including in Macroom. He died in Castlelyons in 1922, and he is buried there. An tAthair Peadar is widely regarded as one of the founders of modern Irish literature.
The centenary commemoration will begin with a music session, in Carriganima, on Friday evening. All are welcome, especially impromptu musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers. On Saturday, there will be a guided tour to sites associated with An tAthair Peadar and his family. These include Carrigacurra Castle (Inchigelagh), Carraig na Madraí and other significant heritage sites. Booking for the tour will be essential. Details of the iteniary and of the entire weekend will be continuously posted to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/carriganima.com Our e-mail address is: carriganima2020 @gmail.com
Saturday evening will be the focal point of the commemoration. The Bishop of Cloyne, Rev. Dr William Crean will concelebrate Mass in the Church of St John the Baptist, Carriganima. Before Mass, Bishop Crean will unveil a commemorative plaque. The Mass will be bilingual, and will feature local musicians and members of the choirs from Baile Bhuirne, Carriganima and Clondrohid. Children from the three schools in the parish will participate.
After Mass, we will have a well-known, and much loved, national figure who will officially launch a book to mark the occasion. The book, is entitled Ár Scéal Féin (Our Own Story), and it includes several fascinating articles, in both English and Irish, about Carriganima, the surrounding area and the people of this locality over the past one-hundred years. The book will go to print in February. Therefore, there is time for would-be contributors to pen a few paragraphs. Anybody interested in submitting an article (approximately 1 – 2 pages) can make a submission at any of the following locations: Christy Ring’s Garage, Clondrohid Post Office or The Pub, Carriganima. Local man, James O’Leary is coordinating the compilation of the book, and James would be delighted to hear from anybody who may have an article, story, photograph or other memorabilia that could be included. The deadline for the submission of material is the end of January – the sooner the better.
To give you a flavour of Ár Scéal Féin: we already have articles about the winter of 1947/48; the monument on Macroom Bridge; the branches of the O’Learys; local proverbs / seanfhocail áitúil; Stricín – the story of the Buckley family; and the O’Riordan brothers from Carrig na Gortán. Other articles, currently in the pipeline tell stories associated with George Curtin; the Whiteboys; dance halls in West Muskerry; how Muskerry got its name; old roads and the decline of the plantation. As you can see, there is plenty of variety, and this book is sure to be very popular, as well as being a fitting tribute to An tAthair Peadar. If you can add to this offering, we would be delighted to hear from you. Spread the word, scaip an scéal and bí linn i gCarraig an Ime in March. Everybody is welcome. Fáilte roimh chách.
My great grandmother, Margaret O’Leary Murphy was an tAnthair Peadar’s sister, born in 1849. I and many of my cousins have visited her (and his) birthplace, and his grave . She is buried in Brockton, Massachusetts, under a Celtic cross, with her husband and some of her children and grandchildren.