April 2001 Presentation of Scoláireachtaí na nGéanna Fiáine

GAELOILIÚINT, the Council for Life-long Gaelic Learning, have presented six Scholarships to students of the Higher Diploma in Education as Gaeilge, in NUI, Galway today (Friday 6 April, 2001). The scholarships have been presented in memory and in honour of Ireland s Wild Geese i.e. the citizens of Ireland who, although they may have had to exile abroad, always strove to further the Irish cause, a tradition which exists to this day. The scholarships, valued at £600 each, were presented by Doctor Dónall Ó Baoill, Professor of Irish Studies in Queen s University, Belfast and Chairperson of GAELOILIÚINT. Each recipient will donate £100 of the scholarship to the Gaelscoil of their choice. The ceremony took place in Áras na Gaeilge, NUI, Galway today at 2.30 p.m.

The recipients of the scholarships are:

Adrian Ó Brádaigh, Offaly

Máire Bríd Breathnach, Ros Muc, Co. Galway

Yvonne Ní Chomnraí, Tuam, Co. Galway

Fiona Ní Chualáin, Carna, Co. Galway

Mícheál Ó Mealláin, Newcastle, Galway

Gráinne Máire Ní Fhlannabhra, Grattan Park, Galway

This year s scholarships are named after Irish Ambassadors, some famous, some not, some living, some who have passed away, all pillars of Irish citizenship be it abroad or at home, with little or no recognition or thanks. Their endeavours furthered the Irish language, culture, politics and community:

Douglas Hyde, scholar and politician, founder of the Gaelic League and first Irish President

Anne Devlin, A Dubliner who spent many years of her life, especially during the Famine, helping to clothe and feed the poor and downtrodden

Peig Sayers, a noble and exemplary lady who needs no introduction

Michael & Pearl Flannery, based in New York - they too espoused the cause of the poor

George Harrison, also worked out of New York as an active Irish Socialist. George remains a close friend of Nelson Mandela

Terry Callaghan, now also in New York, Terry was personal Secretary to the late Cardinal Tomás Ó Fiaich. She continues to work quietly and diligently for the Irish language and people.

"All these Wild Geese have, during their lifetime displayed an unusually high degree of diligence and vision through their personal and public work" states Dr. Dónall Ó Baoill. "They provided guidance and moral leadership to the community around them in a quiet steadfast way by the very example they gave. I have absolutely no doubt that such pioneers continue to come through our Irish Universities today, such as the young recipients of our scholarships, who will, in due course, achieve still greater things for our language and people"

Information from: Máire Mhic Uidhir, Press Officer, NUI, Galway Tel: 091-750418