Gaeltacht in North Mayo is a hive of activity

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo is a community development co-operative based in the Seanscoil Community Centre in Ceathrú Thaidhg in the North Mayo Gaeltacht. Its mission is to work in a proactive way to promote the linguistic/cultural, infrastructural, educational and social development of the parish of Cill Chomáin. Working in partnership with local development groups and various state agencies, numerous projects have been undertaken for the benefit of the community.

The promotion and preservation of the Irish language in every aspect of community life is one of the main objectives of Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo. Irish language courses and Irish translation services are organised in Ionad Seirbhísí Teanga na Seanscoile in Ceathrú Thaidhg where a library of learning resource materials is available. Conversational Irish classes were organised during the year, as well as various events during the international festival of Seachtain na Gaeilge and National Culture Night. The co-operative is a member of ‘Gaeilge Iorrais’ which has been selected by Údarás na Gaeltachta as the lead language planning organization in the North Mayo Gaeltacht region.

The Irish-language pre-schools Naíonra Dhún Chaocháin in Ceathrú Thaidhg and Naíonra Ghleann na Muaidhe in Glenamoy play a key role in providing for the needs of children and their parents in these areas, while Irish Summer Camps, which offer recreational, educational and cultural activities for local pre-school and primary school children, were organised last July in Gleann na Muaidhe, Ceathrú Thaidhg and Ros Dumhach in conjunction with Muintearas Teo. The aim is to encourage children to speak Irish in an enjoyable environment through sports, art, crafts, traditional dancing and singing.

Many visitors to the area take in the spectacular sea cliff scenery on the Ceathrú Thaidhg loop walks. Starting and finishing at the Seanscoil Community Centre, each loop is waymarked and colour-coded according to its level of difficulty. A bi-lingual information board and brochure provide details on trail directions and points of interest en route. 

The Na Comhluadair Bheo project has developed a dedicated website (www.gaeltacht.info) to raise the profile of the area as a tourism destination, where a choice of holiday packages is available to cater for visiting groups.

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo, in partnership with Scoil Náisiúnta Cheathrú Thaidhg and Circus 250, was delighted to receive a Clean Coasts National Award in the ‘Évent Of The Year’ category at a special awards ceremony organized by An Taisce in Dublin in November.

At Barr na Rinne, overlooking Port a’ Chlóidh Ba,y a former look-out post, known as Teachaín a’ Watch, was located. These look-out posts were built around the coast during World War II for the Coastwatching Service by the Office of Public Works. Unfortunately, this historic landmark was decimated by a storm. The building has since been reconstructed with the assistance of the Cill Chomáin Rural Social Scheme. In August, a programme of events was organised to officially launch the project and acknowledge the crucial role these look-out posts played during the War, including an art exhibition, the unveiling of two information signs and the launch of a dedicated website (www.lop63.com) – all funded by Ealaín na Gaeltachta Teo.

Community Foundation Ireland granted funding to develop a Local Biodiversity Plan and during Heritage Week, a nature walk was organised with ecologist Karina Dingerkus, to highlight local habitats, flora and fauna.

The Páirc Spraoi Caochán Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) provides a wonderful amenity for young children, teenagers, families, summer students and visitors to the area. This green-field, all-weather pitch is zoned to accommodate tennis, basketball and soccer, and also includes a zipwire cable. The project involved many organisations and agencies, and it was a proud day for the community when Minister of State Jack Chambers officially launched the project in June.

The Department of Rural and Community Development also granted €19,686 under the Community Centres Investment Fund to carry out improvement works at An tSeanscoil Community Centre including the installation of new doors, and the upgrading of the stage and kitchen areas.

Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo’s office provides information and assistance to voluntary groups in relation to developing and managing projects and sourcing funding. For further information contact 097-88082, 087-1251642 or dunchaochain1@gmail.com.