The Annual Éigse Uladh this month will celebrate the life and work of visionary Gaoth Dobhair native Máire Nic Giolla Easboig.

Máire Nic Giolla Easboig

Éigse Uladh is an annual Irish language event which takes place in Gaoth Dobhair each spring for the last 48 years. It is a forum for discussion and celebration and has had many wide ranging themes over the years from “Tionchar na Meáin ar an Teanga” to “Scríbhinní Johnny Sheáin”.

This year’s Éigse Uladh takes place this coming weekend from the 21st-23rd April in Gaoth Dobhair, and the theme for this year’s Éigse is “Máire Neidí Nic Giolla Easboig- a saol agus a saothar”.

Máire Nic Giolla Easboig, or Mary Neidí as she was affectionately known as locally, was a teacher and highly respected community person. She was a lifelong member of Aisteoirí Gaoth Dobhair, and a great promoter of drama amongst the young people of Gaoth Dobhair. She was also one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Gaoth Dobhair Technical School (which is where An Chrannóg, the community and cultural centre sits today).

This year’s Éigse will be officially opened on Fri 21st April at 8.15pm in Acadamh na hOllscolaíocht Gaeilge by the renowned actor and singer, Aodh óg Ó Duibheannaigh, who was a past pupil of Máire’s.

She was much loved by students, friends and family and it is expected that this year’s opening night lecture by Noel Ó Gallchóir will be very well attended, in Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. There will be events over the course of the weekend in An Chrannóg and fittingly in the newly re-opened Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair.

Click here for the full programme.

Éigse Uladh is presented by the Éigse Uladh Committee in association with Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair.

Do you have a story or event to share? Email news@donegalwoman.ie