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Rehearsing in Breakish Hall on Skye
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In July, twenty-eight youth, children, and their adult helpers from the Bahá’í Youth and Children group (Lewis and Skye), enjoyed a breathtaking trip to Northern Ireland and County Kerry. This was a successful project undertaken by the Bahá’í Youth and Children Group from Lewis, most of whom come from the areas of Stornoway and Point.
Bringing together Gaelic speaking young people of the Hebrides with Irish speaking folk of Kerry, the experience was the result of months of preparation and fund raising events such as a sponsored fun run, bring & buy sales, etc. The group was taught and practised selections of Gaelic music and songs, both traditional and spiritual, with the assistance of Christina St. Clair who is a musician, Gaelic translator and Celtic studies graduate from Edinburgh University.
A very full itinerary included staying two nights at the Northern Irish Summer School near Bangor, and four nights at the Farbairt Na Dromoda hostel near Cahersiveen in County Kerry. In Northern Ireland the young people sang Gaelic songs and took part in the Northern Irish Bahá’í Summer School, encouraging the audience to sing Gaelic songs and to enjoy the music.
At the Dromoda Hostel the group was met with wonderful hospitality, friendship and good food. Special thanks to Caitlin, Cait, Cathy, Grainne, Grainne, Lorraine, Eithne and Brian, Maire and Sean. Some enjoyable lessons in the Irish language were given by Sean Mulvihill. Sean’s enthusiasm about the Irish language and the clever way of teaching made it all the more enjoyable.
On one occasion the group was invited for lunch by the secretary of the National Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Ireland, Caroline Smith, as it was a Holy Day for Bahá’ís all over the world. The young Hebrideans sang Gaelic songs and prayers, everyone was much moved, so much so that they asked for a recording of the young people singing Gaelic prayers. This was to be taken to the Irish Bahá’í Summer School in Waterford for people to listen to and learn. Since returning Christina has sent away the tape to be used at the Summer school.
On two of the evenings at the pub next door to the hostel a strong body of young traditional musicians, Roisin, Alan, Mary and Mairianne were playing, young and old of the nearby communities were gathered and the young Hebrideans joined in too. Young Irish dancers Meabh, Hazel and Josephine, in beautiful Irish costumes took to the floor, musicians played and the young Hebrideans sang and step-danced. The whole thing was rounded off with Michael, a member of the board that runs the complex, presenting each member with an Irish badge.
Other activities included a visit to the monastic Skellig exhibition, film and the boat ride around the Skellig Rock; a trip to Glan Leam tropical Gardens on Valentia Island, water sports in Waterville, Aqua dome in Tralee and holding a devotional meeting on Sunday morning which was shared with many friends from that area.
Irish and Scottish Gaelic were one of the main areas of focus of the project, which was specifically directed at youth and children and run by women volunteers. The trip was an enriching experience for all, and we would like to gratefully thank the following for their support: Iomairt Cholm Cille, Better Neighbourhood Services Fund, Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar, Comhairle Luchd Bahà-i na h-Alba, the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Skye Central and the parents, relatives and friends of the young people. Last, but not least, special thanks to our Community Education in Lewis, Alison, Charlie and Angela who helped and supported us.
It promoted Scottish Gaelic in Northern Ireland, in the Republic of Ireland, and among the young Hebrideans. It benefited the youth, children and their adult helpers. It is encouraging that an Irish group will hopefully visit Skye and the Western Isles in due course. They have expressed a strong wish to come to the Western Isles and Skye next year. We look forward to seeing the Irish group in the Hebrides.
The adventure was a great way to mark the tenth anniversary of the Bahá’í Youth and Children Group. Open to all, the membership come from diverse backgrounds and meet monthly. For more information contact Mina Sheppard via the editor.
