Main Pic: Students from Lifford National School reading ‘Abhainn Burn River’ in Lifford Library. Pic: Paul McGuckin.
Donegal County Library Service has announced the publication of a new book by students in Donegal and Tyrone that features writing in Irish, English and Ulster Scots.
Inspired by the Strabane writer Flann O’Brien, ‘Abhainn Burn River’ was developed in writing workshops by children from Castletown NS, Lifford NS, Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh and Strabane PS which took place in Lifford and Strabane libraries. The workshops, developed and facilitated by the poets Alan Millar and Dubhán Ó Longáin, allowed the young people the opportunity to create stories and poems in three languages.
This is a unique project that celebrates the linguistic heritage of Donegal and Tyrone. As Dubhán Ó Longáin says “not only do three rivers meet here at Lifford and Strabane, so do three languages.”
This is reflected in the title of the book. While Alan Millar acknowledges that Flann O’Brien was not known for Ulster Scots, he believes his extraordinary free-headed writing fits in well with the ‘non-standardised magic of Scots’.
Cathaoirleach of Lifford-Stranorlar MD Councillor Martin Harley pictured with students and teachers from Lifford National School and staff from Donegal County Library Service at the launch of the book Abhainn Burn River in Lifford Library. Pic: Paul McGuckin.
The book was celebrated at an event in Lifford Library with the Cathaoirleach of Lifford-Stranorlar MD Councillor Martin Harley on Tuesday. Councillor Harley praised the students on their work and the great achievement of publishing a book at such a young age.
A further celebration will take place in Strabane Library during the The Flann O’Brien Symposium which will be held in the town from the 25th June.
Copies of the book will be available to read and borrow in branches of Donegal County Library Service. The book can also be accessed online at this link: https://issuu.com/donegalculture/docs/abhainn_-_burn_-_river
For more information about Donegal County Library visit www.donegallibrary.ie or follow @DonegalCountyLibrary on Facebook and @DonegalLibrary on Twitter and Instagram.
This project was funded by Creative Ireland and coordinated in partnership between Donegal County Library Service and Libraries NI.
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