Show notes
In this episode I speak with Sinéad Ní Mhearnóg Uí Ghéibheannaigh, a young mother, poet, and advocate for the Irish language from ConyGlen near Greencastle. Sinéad works with Glór na nGael, supporting communities to keep the language alive, and has long been a passionate voice in the Save Our Sperrins campaign.
We talk about her roots in the Sperrins, the role of language in shaping identity, and how culture and community sustain resilience. Sinéad reflects on her poetry, her hopes for her children, and her fears for what mining could do to the fabric of her community.
She also recalls a pivotal moment in 2018, when she travelled to Toronto to attend the PDAC mining conference and spoke out against Dalradian’s plans for a goldmine in the Sperrins — a moment of truth-telling that sent ripples far beyond Greencastle.
This is a conversation about language, courage, and the power of ordinary communities to hold the line.
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LINKS FOR THIS INTERVIEW
https://www.glornangael.ie/teangati/ Sinéads work
https://www.facebook.com/Greencastleourhistory A page about the history of Greencastle and Munterloney
The most comprehensive record of Irish speakers in the Sperrins and where you can find further info: 'CAINNTEOIRÍ DÚTHCHAIS AGUS FOINSÍ BÉALOIDIS GAEDHILGE AS OIRTHEAR ULADH Ciarán Ó Duibhín: an leagan seo: 2024/09/20' : https://www3.smo.uhi.ac.uk/oduibhin/cainnteoir/speirini.txt
Recording of native speaker John Carolan, Fidelma O'Kane's Uncle speaking Irish: https://www.rte.ie/archives/exhibitions/1981-proinsias-o-conluain/615512-na-cainteoir-dhuchs-deireannacha-i-gco-thr-eoghain/
Recordings of native speakers: https://www.doegen.ie/taxonomy/term/22079
Information on Jane Nic Ruaidhrí, one of the last native speakers who was recorded in the Doegen project above: https://www3.smo.uhi.ac.uk/oduibhin/doegen/nicruaidhri_biog.htm
Recording of Irish Speaker Johnny Bán Mac Giolla Uidhir, who is meant to be the last know Irish speaker and who only died in the 1970's:https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/news/11418227-gaeltacht-th-r-eoghain-ag-foghlaim-na-gaeilge/
Recordings of native speakers, Peter Bradley and Ellen Mary Devlin: https://www.rte.ie/archives/collections/acetate-disc-collection/11410140-gaeltacht-thr-eoghain-ellen-mary-devlin/
Recordings of the native speakers, Paddy Láidir: Padaí Láidir Mac Culadh agus Gaeltacht Thír Eoghain - Taifeadtaí Gaeilge Thír Eoghain:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odBT6eNyLis
Landscapes of hunting and assembly in the north of Ireland—three case-studies, Academic essay which looks at Coneyglen - Dún Ruadh:https://www.jstor.org/stable/27074874
Commemorative stone at Rouskey and its unveiling by Monsignor Devlin: https://scealtanuamhuintirluinigh.wordpress.com/tag/muintir-luinigh/
VIDEO: Guth in Eag? A lost voice - insight into the decline of Tyrone Native Gaeilge, the last generation of speakers living in the isolation of small hill farms and glens. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5cvPskVm3Y
VIDEO: Ar Scáth na Sléibhte, Cormac examines the rich Irish language heritage of the Muintir Luinigh area: https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/online-boxsets/play/?pid=6259592045001&title=Sl%C3%A9ibhte%20Mhuintir%20Luinigh&series=Ar%20Sc%C3%A1th%20na%20Sl%C3%A9ibhte
Traidisiún Amhránaíocht na Gaeilge i dTír Eoghain san Fhichiú hAois: https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/publications/traidisi%C3%BAn-amhr%C3%A1na%C3%ADocht-na-gaeilge-i-dt%C3%ADr-eoghain-san-fhichi%C3%BA-hao-2
Publications about Gaeltacht Mhuintir Luinigh, many are out of print but worth buying second hand if you find a copy:
In Irish: Padaí Láidir Mac Culadh agus Gaeltacht Thír Eoghain, Pádraig Ó Baoighill
In English: Tyrone Folk Quest, Michael J Murphy
Correction :
In the introduction I mentioned that Gaeltacht Mhuintir Luinigh was the last Irish-speaking area in Ulster. Of course, I should have said that it was the last Irish-speaking area in what is now Northern Ireland, as Donegal — also part of Ulster — still has a vibrant Gaeltacht community today.
The poem Sinéad read out on the podcast .
Faoiseamh a Gheobhadsa
Le Máirtín Ó Díreáin
Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa
Seal beag gairid
I measc mo dhaoine
Ar oileán mara,
Ag siúl cois cladaigh
Maidin is tráthnóna
Ó Luan go Satharn
Thiar ag baile
Faoiseamh a gheobhadsa
Seal beag gairid
I measc mo dhaoine
Ó chrá chroí,
Ó bhuairt aigne,
Ó uaigneas dhuairc
Ó chaint ghontach
Thiar ag baile
I would find peace
For a short while
Amongst my people
On an island in the sea
Walking on the beach
From morning to evening
From Monday to Saturday
At home in the West
I would find peace
For a short while
Amongst my people
Free from heartache
From miserable loneliness
From hurtful talk
At home in the west.
SAVE OUR SPERRINS ( Social Media)
https://linktr.ee/saveoursperrins
LINKS TO OTHER RESOURCES
http://caimnetwork.org/mining-in-ireland/
Mining in Ireland is a contentious issue, with 19% of the Republic of Ireland and 27% of Northern Ireland’s land area issued in prospecting licences. While mining companies claim to bring jobs and development, communities like those near Tara Mines and Gypsum Ltd have faced significant environmental and social impacts. Communities Against the Injustice of Mining (CAIM) is an all-island network resisting prospecting and extraction.
https://yestolifenotomining.org/
The Yes to Life, No to Mining website is a global hub for communities resisting destructive mining projects. It shares stories from the frontlines, practical resources for local campaigns, and research that exposes the true costs of extraction. The network connects people around the world who are protecting their land, water, and ways of life, and promotes alternatives grounded in care for nature and community wellbeing.
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-the-goldrush-by-gerry-mcgovern/id1681123169
Do Irish people know that Ireland has been selected as a Green sacrifice song for the so-called green technology, renewable energy transition from the beautiful wilds of Clare, Wicklow and Leitrim to the outstanding natural beauty of the Sperrin mountains of Tyrone. Rural Ireland is on Big Mining's chopping block.
This podcast is about the power of community, about how communities of Ireland are organising to stop this disaster happening. For short term returns, the government wants to sell Ireland to mining interests as silently and quietly as possible. Let's make some noises. We will try to unravel why the Irish government is doing this
LINKS TO Greencastle People’s Office(GPO) Facebook Page - and the site of the GPO ( The GPO is a humble caravan which has become a hub for the campaign against the goldmine )
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063579042613&sk=about
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Cz7FHdUoi5ByxECz7?g_st=ipc