Supporting the Gaelic Tongue with a Pint and Tune in Ireland's Historic City of Doire

The Ulster city of Doire, the fourth largest city in Ireland, is home to a unique initiative which aims to create a Gaeltacht Quarter in the city where the language of daily commerce is Gaelic. The focal point of this effort is the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, a purpose-built Irish language, cultural and enterprise center based in the Walled City's historic Great James Street area.  The Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is intended to act as a hub for Gaelic cultural groups and has been hailed as a catalyst for Celtic language enthusiasts. 

The website “City of Culture 2013” describes the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin as “heralding the beginning of a new era for the Irish Language and culture in the North West region (of Ireland)”.  The Centre’s Arts Director Eibhlín Ní Dhochartaigh is quoted by the Derry Journal describing the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin as “…a natural hub for Irish language and traditional arts, but our goal is to encourage the development of Gaelic culture on a citywide level, and the environment of the business community is vital to this.” Eibhlín Ní Dhochartaigh, in addition to her role at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin was the Chairperson for the 2013 All Ireland Music Festival, or Fleadh Cheoil na hErieann, held last year in Derry (Doire).  The Belfast Telegraph reported at the time that over 430,000 attended the week-long festival which included musical performances, art exhibitions, workshops in dance , Irish language events and an exhibition of Gaelic Ireland & Scotland sacred music and literature at Derry's majestic St. Columb's Cathedral.  

The latest initiative by the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is described in an article in the Derry Journal under the headline, “Irish Traditional Music Sessions Led by the Magee Traditional Musical Society and Local Musicians”. This initiative brings members of the “Magee Traditional Irish Music Society” to the Grand Central Bar on Doire’s Strand Road melding elements of Gaelic language, culture and commerce together to strengthen the Celtic tongue. Rachael Parkes, owner of the Grand Central Bar is quoted by the Derry Journal: ‘We enjoyed some fantastic traditional music lessons in the bar during the Fleadh, and spotted the potential for having something on a regular basis. This project gives us the opportunity to develop new audiences and cements our identity as an authentic Irish pub.’

The Magee Traditional Music Society who will be taking over the Pub each Sunday night were established in 2008 under the guidance of Dr. Liz Doherty, Lecturer in Traditional Music at the University of Ulster. The aim of the group is to promote and expand traditional music within the University, the city of Derry and beyond.  Members have represented the University at concerts and festivals around the world and have forged valuable links with traditional music societies in universities across Ireland.

Perhaps viewed by some as a seemingly minor effort, the transformation of a Public House on Strand Road in Doire into a venue for the celebration of Celtic language and culture is more significant than first meets the eye. It is consistent with the consensus amongst Linguists that one of the most effective strategies to defend and strengthen the status of a minority or threatened language is economic growth and wealth creation within the language area which in turn leads to greater political power and influence on governmental policy. So hoist a pint at the Grand Central Bar on Sunday’s and drink to the ancient heart of Ireland. All are welcome to Sunday Sessions, at the Grand Central Bar, 27 Strand Road, every Sunday from 9pm, Telephone (028) 7126 7826.

http://news.ulster.ac.uk/releases/2010/5001.html

http://www.cityofculture2013.com/venues/culturlann-ui-chanain/

http://www.derryjournal.com/what-s-on/arts-culture/irish-traditional-mus...