Satharn na nGael (An Irish Saturday)

[Jim McGill]

Satharn na nGael
(An Irish Saturday)
Saturday May 31st

Satharn na nGael is a day of immersion in the Irish Language, designed to give newcomers a taste of the Irish language, as well as a sampling of Irish music, poetry, customs and folklore. Although about a third of the attendees are brand new to the language, intermediate and advanced classes are offered as well, with plenty of time for the "craic" in between.

The event is held at the Miquon School in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Language classes are held in the morning and afternoon, interspersed with informal workshops. This year, sessions be held in tin whistle, concertina, uilleann pipes and even Irish language on the Internet. .

This year along with our fine panel of Gaelic teachers we will be joined by two of Ireland's finest traditional musicians, Micheál Ó Raghallaigh and Ivan Goff

Micheál Ó Raghallaigh, undoubtedly one of the finest young concertina players today, comes from
a Gaelic speaking musical family in County Meath and has played accordion and concertina from an early age. He has been a member of the traditional band Providence, the Tain Ceili Band, and in 2004 won
the senior gold as a member of the Naomh Padraig Ceili Band from Meath.
In addition to performing, he has taught at the Willie Clancy Summer School, the Comhaltas Scoil
Eigse and various US festivals. He has released his own solo recording “The Nervous Man” to critical acclaim.
All-Ireland champion uilleann piper Ivan Goff also plays whistles and Irish wooden concert flute. A Dubliner, based in New York, Ivan has performed in several well-known productions including extended engagements with Riverdance (US tour and Broadway). Ivan is featured in a range of recordings and projects as diverse as the soundtrack for acclaimed art-film Cremaster (dir. Matthew Barney, exhibited in the Guggenheim museum 2003) and the New York session album Live at Mona’s (2004). A former member of Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, Ivan has performed with numerous artists including world-renowned Paul Winter and toured with many bands including internationally acclaimed Irish traditional bands Lúnasa and Dervish. Ivan is currently pursuing a PhD in musicology at New York University.

The secluded setting for the event, on the campus of a private school, allows for complete immersion in the language and music.
The informal tone of the day is a gentle introduction to the language, which perhaps may whet one's appetite for more adventurous forrays, such as formal instruction or an immersion weekend. Even if you are just planning a trip to Ireland, the day can help you to learn a "cúpla focal" (a few words) to use on your way.

Lunch and dinner expertly catered by Jimmy Duffy Catering, Berwyn is included in the fee for the day which is about $45. After lunch a sing-a-long (in Irish, of course) is held. It is a full day of activity, Irish style, and a chance to network with others in the area who wish to preserve the language. The event is sponsored by Daltaí na Gaeilge (Students of the Irish Language) and Trócaire (an Irish language study group from Paoli). It offers the perfect blend of study and entertainment for anyone interested in Ireland's language and culture.

Evening concert with Micheál Ó Raghallaigh and Ivan Goff will begin at 6pm. For those who can only attend the evening concert, admission is $10

The 2008 Satharn na nGael will be May 31st in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.

(Click here for specific Information and Directions.)
(Click here for the Registration Form.)
Marcella Reis
209 Wingate Road
Upper Darby, PA 19082
[phone]
[e-mail]


Bí linn! - Join us!

http://www.daltai.com/events/conshohocken.htm

[Jeff Meade]

I've gone. Obviously, not enough, or I'd know a whole bunch more than I do.

That said, it really was tons of fun. Leo Mohan was my instructor for the day, and he was just great. With Leo at the blackboard, you'll definitely learn a thing or two. (What you remember is another matter.)

We wrote about it way back at the beginning of irishphiladelphia.com:
http://www.irishphiladelphia.com/irishclass

[Jim McGill]

Hey Jeff,
I have been to Satharn na nGael a few times but not the same years you have atended otherwise we might be able to converse in the Gaelic language. With teachers like Pádraig C Mac aGhoill, Tomás Ó Cathail, Poilín Ní Dhuill, Brían Ó Murchú, Deirdre Mc Farland and Leo Mohan it would be difficult not to come home without a "cúpla focal". With Micheál Ó Raghallaigh and Ivan Goff they have a stellar line up this year. The food by itself is worth the cost. As they say in Ireland there will be plenty of "Caint, Ceol agus Craic (conversation, music and good ole Irish fun).