Drithleoga

Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair was established in 1973 with the amalgamation of Ardscoil Mhuire (a secondary school in Magheraclogher established in 1957) and An Ghairmscoil (a trade school in Stranacurra since 1966). The Community School ran between the two buildings until 1980 when a new school was built in Luing. The school’s facilities have recently been significantly enhanced – Football Grounds (2002), Dressing Rooms (2009) and Sports Hall and Classrooms (2011).

This is Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhhair ‘s third CD. The first was issued in 1999 as part of the School ‘s 25th Anniversary. The second, Between Sea and Mountain, was released in 2008. This third contains the musical and singing ‘sparkles’ on Disc 1, and the speech ‘sparkles’ on Disc 2.

On the first disc, there are 10 tracks by students currently attending the Community School, 4 by recent leavers and 4 by school staff, three of whom are former students. Enjoy the traditional songs, folk music, instrumental music and modern songs, brilliantly and imaginatively performed by Mánus Lunny.

The second disc contains a bias of the Community School ‘s strong oral tradition – radio programs about Rann na Feirste, Gaoth Dobhair and Séamas Ó Grianna (‘ Máire ‘), as well as five pieces of recitation. Some of these sparkles will make you cry, some will make you laugh and some will give you a little taste of the amazing richness of language and culture that was and is on both sides of the wind. Long live it!

It was always believed that the sparks of the fire were a sign that money was coming to the house. Whatever the money, I hope that these sparkles of music and speech will ignite the imagination in you, that the native redness of homeland will always sparkle and that the flowers will sparkle in the eyes of youth. Let’s always save and clear the rashes!

Noel Gallagher Principal