An áit a bhfuil do chroí, is ann a thabharfas do chosa thú.
Your feet will bring you to where your heart lies.
In less than a week’s time, I will be in Ireland to start my experience as ambassador with Siar agus Aniar | Siar agus an Ear | East and West-Ambassadors’ Exchange: An Ireland-Maritime North America Language and Cultural Pilot Program.
A well-known Irish proverb, or seanfhocal, is the theme of this blog entry. I have been thinking about it all week. Gaeilge is the Irish language name for what we sometimes call Irish Gaelic here in Nova Scotia. Seanfhocal is composed of Sean, meaning “old” and focal meaning “word”. Old, wise words! Seanfhocal often reveal deeper truths to life. The Irish language has a fondness for poetry and proverbs.
I was about 14 years of age when Gaeilge entered my life. My mother was a librarian at CFB Greenwood. I loved books and languages. There was a book on how to teach yourself “Irish Gaelic”. But this was the 80s. No Internet. No tapes or audio files to go with the book. It did however kindle the reverence for the Irish history of my family.
Denis Sullivan was my great-great-grandfather. He married Mary Mulkahy in 1848, Meteghan, Nova Scotia. Despite being outwardly Acadian, my family was very proud of its Irish roots. So was I. The music, the history, and the language interested me almost as if it had been pre-loaded into my soul.
Jump forward into the 21st Century when I stumbled across the new reality of learning Irish when one does not live in Ireland: the Internet, language apps, on-line conversation groups, on-line learning resources, novels, YouTube videos, Raidió na Gaeltachta, TG4, etc. It was all available from Nova Scotia.
And then I found other people who were also interested in learning Gaeilge in Nova Scotia. We founded Cumann an Ghleanna – the Irish Association of the Annapolis Valley. We offer annual Céilí events and our flagship – Gleann na Gaeilge: a weekend of immersion in the Irish language and culture in Annapolis Royal.
Now, I am set to study Gaeilge intensively for several weeks with Siar agus Aniar.
Your feet will bring you to where your heart lies.
I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to learn more about Ireland and to deepen my connection with the Irish language and culture. What will result from this collaboration between the Nova Scotia Office of Gaelic Affairs, Údarás na Gaeltachta, and Comharchumann Mhic Dara? Well, I hope to share all that blossoms from this right here on this blog. Come back for more!
Go raibh maith agaibh!
Tapadh leibh!
Merci!
Thank you!
Cumann an Ghleanna 