Does anyone actually win those big competition prizes? You know the ones...the new car, a world trip? I didn't think so either, until I actually won a trip to Ireland courtesy of Tourism Ireland NZ.
My name is Paddy, I'm from New Zealand & I'd like to invite you to follow me on my 2012 month long journey around the island of Ireland & and my many other musings, as I continue my love affair with this beautiful place.
Here's a wee taster of a documentary film, titled 'The Irish Pub" which will begin screening in early October.
Presented by Atom Films in association with Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB), this 80 min Feature film is Directed & Produced by Alex Fegan. In their own words, it is a "eulogy" to that well-know institution - the 'Irish Pub" and the "characters that own them".
We've all heard the clichés about the Irish Pubs but the truth of the matter is that authentic pubs in Ireland are much more than just a drinking place - it's where families celebrate births, deaths, birthdays & christenings and where sports fans come to cheer on their teams. They are still the centre of social life in many communities throughout Ireland - they are the 'living rooms' where people come together.
The Irish Pub has experienced hard times in recent years post Celtic Tiger & many have closed their doors. And despite some suggestions that Ireland's young are finding the old world charm of the Irish Pub wearing thin, as they increasing bypass the pubs & head straight for the clubs, they are still an important fabric of local communities & continue to hold a fascination with tourists from around the world looking to experience the 'Irishness' & theatre of a trad session, a poetry reading, the laments of a storyteller & to enjoy the 'craic'.
In just 24 hours of being posted on You Tube, this beautifully produced music video went viral. It features talented & not un-handsome musician Stiofán Ó Fearail [Stephen Farrell] & fellow group members of Seo Linn [a Cover Band who perform the majority of their songs As Gaeilge], withstudents&staff from Coláisete Lurgansinging As Gaeilge [Irish] Avicii's "Wake Me Up".
Whoever produced this has struck Gold. There's no doubt this addictive video will raise the profile of the Irish Language & I suspect be useful for Tourism Ireland promotions too.
Coláisete Lurgan is an independent Irish Language Summer School, just outside of Galway in the Connemara Gaeltacht, West Ireland, where students can only enrol if they refrain from conversing in English for the duration of the course. Total immersion in the language during the course is mandatory. And according to Lurgan, "learning & singing along to the lyrics of popular songs is a very effective way of improving your Gaeilge". After watching this video, it's not hard to see why.
Vicious circle in the middle of the night. (Níl) 'tada riamh nach mbíonn thart. There is nothing ever without an end. Diabhail fhios a'm cá bhfuil deireadh mo scéil. I have no clue where the end of my story lies. Ach táim ar an mbealach ceart. But I am on the right way.
Deir siad liom gan a dhul sa tseans. They tell me not to take risks. Nach dtagann ciall roimh aois. That wisdom does not come to the young. Bhuel 'sé m'aistear é, Ní léir cén fhad a mhairfidh
sé. Well 'it is my journey, who knows how long it’ll last. 'Sé togha ar aon chaoi. It is brilliant anyway.
Chorus
So Lig mé saor ón suan 'tá orm.
So free me from this slumber of mine. (Tai)speáin dom bóthar éasca cothrom. Show me the fair and easy road. Bainfidh mé ceann scríbe amach. 'Sí m'aidhm, I’ll reach my final destination. That’s my goal. Cíbe treo átá i ndán. Whichever way is meant for
me.
(Tá) mé ag
iompar úalach mór an tsaoil.
I'm carrying a heavy burden of life. Ach níl a'm ach péire lámh. But I only have two hands. Súile troma is an ghrian a' dul faoi. My eyes are heavy as the sun is going down. Ach ní chodlaíonn mé go sámh. But I don’t sleep peacefully.
Bris amach agus tú fós sach óg.
Break out while you’re still young enough. Chinnigh mé le dul in aghaidh. I’ve decided not to follow. Seo mo ré. Seasfaidh mé an fód. This is my time. I will stand my ground. 'S leanfaidh mé ar aghaidh. And
I will go ahead Lyric Translation by Tuigim
"A country without a language is a country without a soul.” ― Pádraig Pearse "Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam"
