Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin have announced this year’s programme of events for their long-running annual summer school, which pays tribute Derry’s founding father, Colm Cille.
The Colm Cille Summer School is now established as a quality cultural event in the city, and widespread interest is expected again in this year’s programme, which brings together internationally acclaimed poets, writers and musicians in a series of collaborative events exploring themes associated with Colm Cille – place, exile and repatriation.
Amongst the main events of this year’s festival will be a one-off opportunity to hear Scottish folk sensation Julie Fowlis perform live, in what will be her very first headline concert in the city on Saturday, 7 June next.
As a strong advocate for her native language, the singer gained notoriety for her unusual Gaelic reworking of The Beatles’ iconic “Blackbird” or “Lon-dubh.”
Another highlight of the summer school will be the re-launch of the Cultúrlann’s café with a brand new sit-in lunchtime menu.
The café has recently undergone major refurbishments and a new range of Irish, locally-sourced dishes and home-baked products will be launched at a celebratory event on Friday 6th June at 8pm.
Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin’s Arts Development Officer, Eibhlín Ní Dhochartaigh said: ‘We are delighted to launch our new café and hope that everyone takes the time to sample some of the great food on offer here.
“There will be live traditional Irish music in the café each lunchtime during the summer school from Thursday to Saturday, making it a great time to try out our new, fully bi-lingual menu.’
There will be a special Haiku poetry workshop on Sunday, 8 June, with Gabriel Rosenstock, a noted Irish language poet and writer whose recent work has included Gaeilge translations of Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan lyrics.
The summer school traditionally bookends a year of Irish language and music classes with a two-day intensive Irish course (7 and 8 June) and also a family session (1 June), giving both regular attendees and newcomers the opportunity to top up what they’ve learned before the summer holidays.
In addition, there will be a number of other activities geared towards learners and language enthusiasts, including conversation circles throughout the week and a bi-lingual table quiz on Thursday, 5 June, at 9.00pm.
There will also be another opportunity for learners to do the Fáinne Challenge, in the hope of earning themselves the iconic gold fáinne (ring).
The feast day of St. Columba, 9 June, will be celebrated with Slí Cholmcille, a special event with pipers and singers, following Cosán na nOilithreach, which was Colm Cille’s ancient path from Guildhall to the Long Tower Church, beginning at 6.00pm outside the Guildhall.
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