"Gael Linn ag 70," a commemorative program of music and song to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Irish language organization, will air on TG4 on December 26, St. Stephen's Day.
One of the most innovative and pioneering Irish language organizations in the second half of the 20th century, Gael Linn was founded by a determined group of university graduates. They believed that the economic failures in the Gaeltacht areas needed to be addressed for the language to survive and that new and contemporary methods were urgently required to ensure that the Irish language would have a viable role in a modern Ireland.
Rather than looking to the state to help achieve these aims, Gael Linn set about establishing their own resources to match their ambition.
In 1953, Gael Linn began a weekly program on Raidió Éireann which gave them the unique ability to showcase its various entrepreneurial, educational, and cultural initiatives.
More importantly, perhaps, it also provided a national platform for the Irish language and traditional music and song for the very first time.
Gael Linn soon established a record label to satisfy the growing demand for this music and so began a new era for Irish music where its significance to Ireland's sense of national identity was established.
The newly commissioned "Gael Linn ag 70" takes a look at the history of Gael Linn, with a focus on its record label and its impact on Irish music.
Produced by Aniar for TG4, the celebratory program features music and conversation with an all-star cast including Moya Brennan, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Colm Mac Con Iomaire & Rossa Ó Snodaigh, Maighread & Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Mary Bergin & Macdara Ó Faoláin, IMLÉ, Sarah Ghriallais, Muintir Uí Beaglaoich, Gráinne Holland, Peadar Ó Riada, Niamh Farrell, Jos & Ted Kelly, Binneas (Siansa Gael Linn 2023), Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, and Colm Bairéad.
Anna Ní Ghallachair, chairperson of the TG4 Board, said: "This beautiful program features a multitude of musicians giving recognition to the vision and the movement which started out trying to preserve the language and traditional Irish music, a tradition which is now recognized as one of the great musical cultures of the world, with wealth, energy and endless possibilities.”
Directed by Oisín Ó hEartáin, the TG4 program explores the organization's history and impact, including its influence on the commercially published music of Donegal by the likes of Clannad, Aodh Ó Duibhennaigh, Skara Brae and Altan; its films such as 1959's 'MIse Éire' with soundtrack by Seán Ó Riada; its office and activities in Northern Ireland; and SLÓGADH, the national youth festival of the arts first held in 1970.
The film will also look at Gael Linn’s best-selling record, Mary Bergin’s Feadóg Stáin a hAon, as well as the organization's sean-nós releases by the likes of Darach Ó Catháin, Caitlín Maude, Áine Uí Cheallaigh and Seosamh Ó hÉanaí, and the label's support of contemporary songs in the Irish language.
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, CEO of Gael Linn, said: "All of us at Gael Linn are delighted that this special program, 'Gael Linn ag 70,' will be broadcast on TG4.
"A great wealth of heritage has been recorded on the iconic Gael Linn label and it is important that part of that large catalogue and interesting archive from the organization's accomplished history are central to the program that has been so beautifully and artistically produced by the team at ANIAR.”
"Gael Linn at 70" airs on TG4 on Tuesday, December 26 at 8 pm.
Comments