A group of 12 students from PCC Falcarragh enjoyed a special trip to the Scottish isles, exploring Donegal’s unique links to the country.
After 14 months of planning, and a successful funding application sent off to Foras na Gaelige, the students and their teachers, Karen Uí Fhrighil and Éadaoin Nic Géidigh, as well as Caitlín Ní Bhroin from Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga Chloich Cheannfhaola made their way to Scotland last Sunday from Donegal Airport.
Their application was assisted by Alasdair Whyte, a Professor of Gallic and Celtic Studies at Glasgow University.
Professor Whyte has already created links between Cloughaneely and the Isle of Mull in Scotland, as he brought Gallic-speaking students on a journey to Donegal in 2022.
He, and his father Reay, gave the group a tour of the Isle of Mull, including relics and places of interest related to Saint Columbcille.
The group then travelled to the Isle of Iona to visit Colmcille’s Monastery, and learn about his history and the influence he had.
All of the students making the trip from Falcarragh are fluent Irish speakers and accomplished musicians, and they showed off their skills while playing two sessions, in Tobermory and the Mishnish.
They also met with a group of fellow young musicians in Oban, who were Gallic-speaking – leading to a combined trad session and ceilidh along with Scottish musician Síleas Sinclair as well.
Common ground was quickly found between the two groups, with many of the Cloughaneely students having grandparents who had worked in the area years ago, with roots being established between the Gaelic and Gallic groups.
The Gallic group are planning on a return journey to Cloughaneely next year to keep that connection strong.
