Write a commentAn interesting exhibition of early copies of the An tUltach magazine (celebrating its 90th birthday this year) will take place in Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, 6b Chapel Street, Newry tomorrow Saturday 6th December.
The exhibition is in honour of Rev. Bro. Beausang who had a major influence during his life-time in promoting the Ulster Irish dialect. Very rare copies of the magazine will be on show, including a unique opportunity to read all editions for the first year of publication, 1924.
The early editions were often written in the Omeath Irish dialect and materials covered in them refer to County Louth Irish and Oriel personalities. An tUltach is currently engaged in a vigorous campaign for survival, having had its core funding withdrawn. When the magazine’s Board of Management contacted the world-renowned poet Paul Muldoon in Princeton, USA, about this funding cut, he wrote the following in response ‘I’ve no hesitation in saying that An tUltach has been a mainstay of the intellectual life of Ireland for as long as I can remember. My own first poems, which happened to be in Irish, were published there in 1968. It was a thrilling moment! I strongly encourage Foras na Gaeilge to continue to support what has become an institution — not that An tUltach has ever succumbed to the greyness we might associate with that term. This is a magazine that plays a vigorous and vital role in helping Ireland understand itself.’
Rún na hAthbhliana – Learning Irish – a New Year’s Resolution?
The Beausang Exhibition coincides with Clárú/Registration for the full range of Newry Branch Gaelic League Irish classes for the New Year, (12 January-9 March 2015). Term 2 will run over 9 weeks and those interested can register from 10.00am to 1.00pm on Saturday 6th December at the Gaeláras. Those new to Irish can comfortably join the Absolute Beginners’ class and, as usual, there is a welcome always for those proficient in the language to join the Ard Rang, especially AS and A2 students. Tuilleadh eolais: www.iurchinntra.ie
