Neil Ó Briain
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I have an MA in General Linguistics from Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands, and a BA in History and Irish Language from University College Cork. I have spent the last few years back in my home town of Cork, teaching and working with Irish as well as playing music. I arrived in Nova Scotia at the beginning of September and have been enjoying my time here. I hope to introduce Irish language and culture to those interested. I am excited to experience a new place in return! My interests, apart from Irish, mainly revolve around the guitar and travelling when I can.
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Dean Farrell
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Is mise Dean, agus is as Baile Átha Cliath dom. Bhain mé céim amach sa Fhraincis agus sa Nua-Ghaeilge agus táim díreach tar éis máistreachta a chríochnú sa Nua-Ghaeilge. Tá an díol spéise acadúil is mó agam sa chritic liteartha agus sa nualitríocht. Is duine mór le béaloideas mé sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla, agus is maith liom a bheith á bhailiú ó mo mhuintir nó ó lucht m'aitheantas eile agus a bheith ag éisteacht leis tar éis dó a bheith bailithe cheana féin. Is breá liom filíocht, bím á scríobh ach is aoibhinn liom a bheith á léamh. Seinm ceol agus tá scileanna bunúsacha agam ar an bhfeadóg stáin agus ar an mbodhrán. I'm Dean and I'm from Dublin, Ireland. I graduated with a BA in French and Modern Irish and I have just finished a Master's degree in Modern Irish. My academic interest is mainly in literary criticism and in modern literature. I have a huge interest in Folklore, in both English and Irish and I enjoy collecting from my family and people I know, as well as listening to folklore collected by others. I love poetry, I write but I adore reading it. I play some music and I have basic proficiency on the tin whistle and on the bodhrán. |
Gormlaith Maynes
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Gormlaith Maynes comes from the town of Drogheda in Co. Louth, Ireland. She completed her Undergraduate Degree in Education in Dublin City University and has recently qualified with a Masters in Traditional Irish Music Performance from the University of Limerick.
Gormlaith has a vast experience in teaching the Irish language across a range of ages and abilities. She was elected Irish Officer on DCU's Student Union and received an award from Glór na nGael for her efforts in promoting the Irish language. Her weekly radio programme 'Spraoi Cois Life' was broadcast with Raidió na Life. With her love for the language and the arts, Gormlaith wrote, directed and produced a drama for her class through the medium of Irish, that took first prize at the National School Drama Competition. In addition, Gormlaith teaches annually on the Gaeltacht courses for third-level students in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Gormlaith currently lectures in Irish at the University of Prince Edward Island and is Coordinator of Celtic and Traditional Music at Holland College, P.E.I. |
Elizabeth MacDonald
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Elizabeth lives to dance – and to share that passion with others. A professional dancer, she discovered traditional Irish dance in the late 80s, and has been building her knowledge and skills ever since, studying with dance masters in both Ireland and the US.
Elizabeth specializes in two older forms of Irish dance that, until recent years, were on the verge of extinction: the Irish set (or square) dances and sean-nos step from the Gaeltacht region of Connemara. She’s taught for many years in Halifax and has led workshops and ceilithe at festivals across Eastern Canada, northern France and Belgium. Most recently, Elizabeth taught at the Lunenburg Folk Harbour Festival and the Nova Scotia Choir Federation’s Youth Choir Camp, and has been invited to teach next May in Leuven, Belgium. Elizabeth’s favourite kind of student? Adults who’ve never danced before – or never thought they could. With her patient, light-hearted teaching style, you’ll be stepping it out in no time. |
Kevin Roach and
Jane Lombard |
Kevin Roach is an accomplished Irish fiddler and tenor banjo player. He has played concerts and festivals in Canada and the US with a number of acts, including Irish traditional bands Barley Bree and Tailor's Twist, Donegal fiddler PV O'Donnell, Cape Breton fiddler Dwayne Cote, and singer Jimmy Sweeney. Along with Jane Lombard on Irish bouzouki and button accordion, Kevin regularly plays for céilís and dances, including the Irish set dance afternoon held every Sunday at the Old Triangle Irish Alehouse in Halifax. They are a duo guaranteed to “put the music under your feet!”
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Pádraig Ó Siadhail
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Author, biographer and all-round legend, Pádraig Ó Siadhail was born in Derry and has a Ph.D. in Irish-language theatre from Trinity College Dublin. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he is Associate Professor and D'Arcy Magee Chairholder in Irish Studies at Saint Mary’s University. Pádraig is a Past President of the Canadian Association for Irish Studies. His publications include Stair Dhrámaíocht na Gaeilge 1900–1970 (1993), a history of Irish-language theatre; An Béaslaíoch. Beatha agus Saothar Phiarais Béaslaí, 1881–1965 (2007), a biography of Piaras Béaslaí; Idir Dhá Thír: Sceitsí ó Cheanada (2005), a collection of non-fictional essays, novels and a collection of short stories. This Saturday, Pádraig Ó Siadhail will be presenting the short film "Malartú Intinne", which is based on one of his short-stories which was set in Cape Breton.
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Alan Melanson
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Alan Melanson is a proud 10th generation Acadian whose ancestors founded what is now the Melanson Settlement National Historic Site of Canada. He is President of The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal and worked over 26 years experience as a professional heritage interpreter for Parks Canada. A sought-after speaker and emcee for heritage events, he was one of ten people selected to welcome members of the G-7 Summit on behalf of Canada when the international event was held in Halifax. Alan is a knowledgeable tour guide and creator of The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal’s popular Candlelight Graveyard Tour and Acadian Heritage Tour. He is a graduate of St. Anne’s University and recipient of the prestigious Governor General’s Medal for academic excellence.
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