The North / South Language Body Annual Report & Accounts 2009

songs and the connection between poetry and singing were discussed. Thesinging community were given an opportunity to get an insight into theresearch being carried out at present; a stage was provided for Irish languagepoets and singers and the public had an opportunity to listen to some of thegreat Irish language poets and singers.'Is the Promised Land still a long way off?' was the theme discussed in Ennisat the Summer School from 16-22 August and there were events in Irishbetween lectures, poetry readings, seminars and Irish classes on theprogramme every day. Technology, language planning, what fate has in storefor the Gaeltacht and Northern Ireland were discussed in the various talks inIrish.There was a very large attendance at both schools, which were given a largeamount of publicity in all the media, both local and national.The National University of Ireland, GalwayThe Irish Department’s annual congress, Congress: The Literature andCulture of Irish was held in Áras na Gaeilge, The National University ofIreland, Galway from 16-17 October 2009 with financial assistance fromForas na Gaeilge. The congress was opened by Professor Bill Richardson,Professor of Spanish and Acting Head of the School of Languages, Literatureand Cultures with the lively address he gave greatly impressing the audience.The guest speakers were William Mahon (Aberystwyth), Meidhbhín NíÚrdail (UCD) and Alan Titley (UCC) and in addition to the main lectures,thirty seven other papers were read over the weekend. Around 110 peopleattended the Congress.Scéal Eile : An Caifé LitearthaScéal Eile Teo. made a series of twelve programmes 'An Caifé Cois Life' onsite in the cafe with a live audience present in January / February. Theprogrammes, which consisted of music and poetry, were broadcast on Raidióna Life, Radio Fáilte, Belfast and Near FM, Dublin. Funding was obtainedfrom the Irish Broadcasting Commission and sponsorship from Foras naGaeilge.The following guests took part in the project:Poets: Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Colm Breathnach, Áine Ní Ghlinn, GabrielRosenstock, Pádraig Ó Snodaigh, Biddy Jenkinson, Liam Ó Muirthile,Micheál Ó hUanacháin, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh, Greagóir Ó Dúill, Tadhg ÓDúshláine. Liam Mac an Iomaire read passages from Cúirt an Mheánoíche(The Midnight Court)Musicians: There was a House Band of three on every programme plus aguest musician / singer. For example: Máire Breathnach, Éanna Ó Cróinín,Cormac de Barra, Niamh de Búrca, Cormac Breatnach, Mick O’Brien,Tristen Rosenstock, Paul Finn, Oisín Mac Diarmada, Micheál Ó Raghallaigh.An Caifé Cois Life was quite a success and Scéal Eile Teo. received fundingagain from the Commission to do another series in An Caifé Liteartha inDaingean, County Kerry in November. These programmes will soon bebroadcast on Radio Kerry and Raidió na Life.Poets: Dónal Mac Síthigh, Bríd Ní Mhóráin, Dairéna Ní Chinnéide, Simon ÓFaoláin, Micheál Ó Fionnán, Mons. Pádraig Ó Fiannachta, Pádraig MacFheargusa, Ceataí de Bhaeldúin, Maidhc Dainín Ó Sé and Maria NíMhurchú.Musicians / Singers: Aoife agus Deirdre Grainbhéal, Eibhlís Ní Chinnéide,Niamh Ní Bhaoill, Pádraig Ó Sé, Breandan and Bréanainn Ó Beaglaoich,Maidhc Dainín Ó Sé, Eibhlís Ní Chinnéide, Feargal Mac Amhlaoibh,17