Palestinian Ambassador remembers Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí on Gaoth Dobhair visit

The Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Dr Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, launched the second Dorn san Aer festival in memory of the renowned former broadcaster, Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí, in Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair.

Speaking in her native language, Arabic, the ambassador said that she understands Rónán's reputation as a champion for the Irish language and as a great broadcaster who could influence people.

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"Today, as I stand here in your presence, I feel his legacy and the mark he has left on you,” she said. “I feel the love this community has for him. It is a great honour for me to be here today at this renowned festival, Dorn San Aer, in Gaoth Dobhair; a place with a long history of struggle against colonialism.

“Language is a fundamental element of any national culture. Language strengthens the identity of a community and preserves its history and heritage for future generations.

“I learned this from preserving my own language, and I made a great effort to pass it on to my children when they were far from home in Palestine. I was always determined to bring my children back home with me when I visited my family in Palestine. All of this was very difficult and demanding for me at first.

“But we know that to achieve fluency in a language, it is necessary to live among the community for whom it is their daily language.

“The children did not like having to do extra work on Arabic after school or on weekends. But I complained to them every weekend when they were in school, and in the end they finished secondary school and Arabic to their heart’s content, just as I had hoped. They now understand that my determination and patience were worth it, and they now understand how important the language is.

“I am proud of my native language, Arabic, and of being able to pass it on to my children. I would recommend that everyone teach children a language when they are young, because it is much more difficult to acquire it when they are adults.

“It is the language of our home. Let’s not lose it. I hope you enjoy this wonderful festival! Thank you for all your support for the Palestinian people. It strengthens us greatly. Every Palestinian knows Ireland. Thank you very much."

This is the second year of the Dorn san Aer festival, founded by friends of Rónáin Mhic Aodha Bhuí after the death of the renowned broadcaster in September, 2023.

The festival will continue in Gaoth Dobhair until Sunday night. 

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In Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair aréir (Dé hAoine), sheol Ambasadóir na Palaistíne go hÉirinn, an Dr. Jilan Wahba Abdalmajid, an dara féile Dorn san Aer i gcuimhne ar an iarchraoltóir aitheanta, Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí.

Agus í ag caint ina teanga dhúchais, an Araibis, dúirt an t-ambasadóir go dtuigeann sí an cháil a bhí ar Rónán mar laoch ar son na Gaeilge agus mar shárchraoltóir a bhí ábalta dul i bhfeidhm ar dhaoine.

"Inniu agus mé anseo i bhur láthair, mothaím a oidhreacht agus an lorg a d'fhág sé oraibh. Mothaím an grá ata ag an phobal seo dó.

"Is mór an onóir dom a bheith anseo inniu ag an fhéile aitheanta seo, Dorn San Aer, i nGaoth Dobhair; áit a bhfuil stair fhada de streachailt in éadan an choilíneachais.

"Gné bhunúsach de chultúr náisiúnta ar bith atá i dteanga. Láidríonn an teanga féiniúlacht an phobail agus caomhnaíonn sí an stair agus an oidhreacht do na glúnta atá le teacht.

"D'fhoghlaim mise seo ó bheith ag caomhnú mo theanga féin, agus rinne mé sáriarracht í a thabhairt do mo chuid páistí, nuair a bhí siad i bhfad ó bhaile ón Phalaistín. Bhí rún daingean agam i gcónaí mo chlann a thabhairt liom ar ais abhaile agus mé ar cuairt chuig mo mhuintir sa Phalaistín.

"Bhí seo uilig dian agus deacair orm leo ag an tús. Ach tá a fhios againn, le líofacht a bhaint amach i dteanga, gur gá cónaí a dhéanamh i measc an phobail a bhfuil sí ina teanga laethúil acu.

"Níor thaitin sé leis na páistí bheith ag déanamh obair bhreise ar an Araibis i ndiaidh am scoile ná ag an deireadh seachtaine. Ach chuir mé suas dá ngearán gach deireadh seachtaine nuair a bhí siad ar scoil, agus sa deireadh chríochnaigh siad an mheánscoil agus an Araibis ar a dtoil acu mar a bhí a ba mhian liom. Tuigeann siad anois gur bhfiú mo rún daingean agus an fhoighne , agus tuigeann siad anois chomh tábhachtach is atá an teanga.

"Tá bród orm as mo theanga dhúchais, an Araibis agus as bheith ábalta í a thabhairt do mo chlann. Mholfainn do chách go múinfí teanga do pháistí agus iad óg, mar go mbíonn sé i bhfad níos deacra í a shealbhú agus iad fásta. Is í an teanga ar mbaile. Ná caillimis í.

"Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh sult as an fhéile iontach seo! Gabhaim buíochas libh as bhur dtacaíocht uilig do phobal na Palaistíne. Neartaíonn sé go mór muid. Tá aithne ag gach Palaistíneach ar Éirinn. Go raibh míle maith agaibh."

Seo an dara bliain den fhéile Dorn san Aer, a bhunaigh cairde Rónáin Mhic Aodha Bhuí i ndiaidh bhás an chraoltóra aitheanta i Meán Fómhair, 2023.

Leanfaidh an fhéile ar aghaidh i nGaoth Dobhair go dtí oíche Dhomhnaigh. Tá gach eolas le fáil ar an suíomh www.dornsanaer.ie.