Irish-Language

Tabharfar a luach d'Aodán Mac Póilin i gclár úr a chíorann a shaol agus a shaothar

<strong>AOD&Aacute;N MAC P&Oacute;ILIN: </strong>Cailli&uacute;int mh&oacute;r a bh&iacute; m b&aacute;s Aod&aacute;in agus feicfidh muid chomh t&aacute;bhachtach is a bh&iacute; s&eacute; i scann&aacute;n &uacute;r faisn&eacute;ise a chraolfaidh an BBC an tseachtain seo chugainn&nbsp;&nbsp;
AODÁN MAC PÓILIN: Cailliúint mhór a bhí m bás Aodáin agus feicfidh muid chomh tábhachtach is a bhí sé i scannán úr faisnéise a chraolfaidh an BBC a AODÁN MAC PÓILIN: Cailliúint mhór a bhí m bás Aodáin agus feicfidh muid chomh tábhachtach is a bhí sé i scannán úr faisnéise a chraolfaidh an BBC an tseachtain seo chugainn  

AODÁN Mac Póilin was a groundbreaking Irish language idealist who was among a group of Irish speakers who established Pobal Feirste in the 1970s, the first new Gaeltacht in Ireland for 40 years.

He led the campaign which overcame official hostility to win recognition and funding for its Irish-medium school, paving the way for other such schools in Northern Ireland.

A new BBC Two Northern Ireland film, Rian na gCos, celebrates the life and contribution of Aodán - the Irish language pioneer and advocate. 

Aodán became Director of the Ultach Trust, laying the groundwork for cross-community development of the language and was committed to the ideal of Irish as the birthright of all.

He pioneered Irish-language broadcasting, planning and the arts, becoming one of the most important strategists and thinkers in the cultural politics of the entire island of Ireland.

He was instrumental in the formation of the Irish Language Broadcast Fund, and chaired the investment committee right up to his untimely death in December 2016. This film was developed through a special bursary fund set up by the ILBF in his name, Ciste Cuimhneacháin Aodáin Mhic Phóilin.

Aodán was also a highly gifted translator, an acute and witty literary critic, and an expert on the history of the language and its culture, particularly the Donegal Gaeltacht.

He forged close links with the Ulster-Scots and Scots Gàidhlig communities and played a leading role in the development and publication of An Leabhar Mòr (The Great Book of Gaelic).

Rian na gCos tells for the first time the story of his life, set against the tumultuous background of the Troubles. It portrays a Renaissance man whose personal vision of the Irish language as a bridge between communities has inspiring potential in progressing Irish society in the 21st century.

The one-hour programme, on Sunday 13 December, was made for BBC Gaeilge and TG4 by Imagine Media with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

:: You can see Rian na gCos on BBC Two Northern Ireland on Sunday 13 December, starting at 10.10pm