The 3rd annual Peadar O’Donnell’s Islanders Conference will be hosted on Arranmore Island from 14th–16th September.
This theme of this year’s conference is Oileánaigh – Céimeanna Chun Tosaigh (Islanders – Moving Forward) as we focus on how best to progress our aim of halting the depopulation of the island and providing social and employment opportunities for islanders.
Born in 1893 in Meenmore, outside Dungloe, Irish Republican, Peadar O’Donnell was a prominent social activist, a human rights campaigner and a prolific writer.
by Nora Flanagan
From 1916 to 1918 he was headmaster of No. 1 National School on Arranmore Island. It was during this time that he developed his appetite for socialism.
Setting aside one hour per day to his writing and becoming actively involved in the trade union movement, O’Donnell soon developed his public persona that would see him become one of the foremost political thinkers of the twentieth century.
Among the educational issues he campaigned for were funding, policies, pay and conditions. Heavily involved in the trade union movement, Peadar advocated on behalf of Arranmore islanders who were forced to emigrate to Scotland to work as tattie hokers. In June 1918 the progressively public social activist chaired a meeting on Arranmore and with the islanders he established the Arranmore Migratory Labourers’ Union.
Peadar also formed strong connections with the Donegal islands of Inis Fraoch and Inis Caorach, the latter being the setting of his well-received novel Islanders (1927).
Nora Flanagan, one of the organisers of the Peadar O’Donnell’s Islanders weekend said: “The aim of the conference is to stay close to Peadar’s ideals of fighting injustices. Our focus this year rests on how to progress planning for halting the depopulation of our island by exploring key areas such as language, locality and education”.
Our conference theme Oileánaigh – Céimeanna Chun Tosaigh: Islanders – Moving Forward is inspired by Peadar O’Donnell’s sense of productive action and will emphasise how we as islanders can champion progress during an era of change and challenge.
Building on the success of last year’s conference, which generated respected discussion of potential employment opportunities for Arranmore Island, our guest speakers this year will explore how language, locality and education can offer new views of island living in the modern era. As we celebrate Bliain na Gaeilge we are reminded of the old Irish proverb “Tír gan Teanga, Tír gan Anam” and how language is the heart and soul of our heritage and culture.
This year we will explore how to harness our unique island resources, including language and locality, and connect people at home and around the world to share information about the preservation and promotion of our island through employment and education.
The celebrations will be opened on Friday 14th September at 7pm in Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh by well-known storyteller, writer, actor, musician and former Donegal Person of the Year, Fergus Cleary. The official opening will be followed by a welcome reception with music by Arranmore’s Green Island, guest musicians and seán nós dancing to which we invite one and all.
The conference venue is Boyle’s Hall, Leabgarrow. Saturday will host the conference keynote speakers discussing various topics such as education, language and social opportunity. Our highly respected speakers include: John Boyle (INTO), Seán Ó Longáin (Barrister and former CEO of Donegal ETB), Dr Cassie Smith-Christmas (Research Fellow, NUI Galway), Bernadette Devlin McAliskey, (STEP), Anna Ní Ghallachoir,(Chairperson, Údarás na Gaeltachta), Ethel Buckley (Deputy General Secretary, SIPTU), Joe McHugh (Minister of State and Government Chief Whip). The conference will be chaired by Dónal Donnelly, author and activist and Dr Eílis Flanagan, NUI Galway.
Fiddle workshop will be provided by renowned Donegal fiddle player, Martin McGinley on Saturday from 11am-1pm and booking is essential for this workshop. To conclude the weekend celebrations a concert featuring The Donegal Youth Orchestra under conductor Vincent Kennedy, The Errigal Groove Orchestra and The Arranmore Pipe Band will take place in Ionad an Chrois Bhealaigh at 1pm.
We would like to thank all our sponsors for their generosity: BIM FLAGS; Donegal County Council; Donegal Arts Council; Seamus Rodgers; SIPTU; Údarás na Gaeltachta; Arranmore Red Ferry; Arranmore Blue Ferry; CFFAM; An Comharchumann Árainn Mhóir.
Further information available on Facebook page: Peadar O’Donnell’s Islanders/phone: 0878047032. https.//podislanders.home.blog/