Féile na Bealtaine 2021

Téama: Thugamar Féin an Samhradh Linn

Beidh Cleamairí Ard Mhacha ag óstáil damhsa chrann na Bealtaine ar an díon anseo in Aonach Mhacha i gcomhar le 'Lorainne School Of Irish Dancing.' Beidh beoshruthú á dhéanamh ar an dóigh le Bábóg na Bealtaine a dhéanamh le Paul Carville, Ceardaí cochán agus saileach, sa seomra comhdhála sa Chultúrlann. Chomh maith leis sin, beidh taispeántas de Bhábóg gléasta i scoileanna áitiúla. Dealraíonn sé gur lá mór a bheidh ann ina léireofar ceird, ceol, teanga, damhsa agus cultúr. Craolfar scannán ar bharr an díon i gCultúrlann Aonach Mhacha le Cleamairí Ard Mhacha agus Ryan Kelly ó CELTIC THUNDER i Mí na Bealtaine ar na meáin shóisialta de chuid CELTIC THUNDER. Tá Rioghnagh Vallely ag teacht i láthair don chéad uair mar Bhanríon na Bealtaine.

Theme: Thugamar Féin an Samhradh Linn

The Armagh Rhymers will host Maypole dancing on the roof top at Aonach Mhacha in association with the Lorraine School of Irish Dancing. Paul Carville, straw and willow craftsman will live stream the making of a Bábóg na Bealtaine from the conference suite. There will also be a display of dressed Bábóg’s from local schools. The day promises to be a great demonstration of local craft, music, language, dance and culture.

A promotional film shot on the roof top of the Aonach and featuring The Armagh Rhymers and Ryan Kelly from CELTIC THUNDER will air on Bealtaine through CELTIC THUNDER’S social media. Rioghnach Vallely makes her first appearance with The Armagh Rhymers in this film as Queen of the May. This film will reach CELTIC THUNDER’S 7 million followers.

Is é an chéad lá de Mhí na Bealtaine Lá Idirnáisiúnta na nOibrithe. Is lá saoire poiblí é Lá Idirnáisiúnta na nOibrithe i dtíortha ar fud an domhain.

Lenár gcomhaontú comhchoiteann nua a cheiliúradh le SIPTU, d’iarr muid ar Stiúrthóir SEACHT, Colm Laighneach, ar nEagraí Ceardchumainn le SIPTU, Niall McNally, agus ar Ard Rúnaí Aonach Mhacha, Gearóid Ó Machail, anailís ar stair na hócáide Haymarket, agus ar bhunú Lá Idirnáisiúnta na nOibrithe a thabhairt dúinn. Beannachtaí ar na hoibrithe uilig, go háirithe dóibh siúd atá ar an líne thosaigh! To celebrate our recent collective bargaining agreement with trade union SIPTU, Aonach Mhacha will invite three guest speakers to provide some background and analysis on May Day, the most important day of the year for workers, trade unions, socialists and communists.

Director of SEACHT and Secretary of the Betty Sinclair Branch of the Communist Party of Ireland, Colm Laighneach will join Ard Rúnaí Chultúrlann Aonach Mhacha Gearóid Ó Machail and Industrial Organiser with SIPTU, Niall McNally to a discussion in the Cultúrlann on International Workers Day.

The event will be broadcast live on the Aonach Mhacha Facebook page at 1pm on May 1^st.

Beannachtaí ar na hoibrithe uilig, go háirithe dóibh siúd atá ar an líne thosaigh!

Ard Mhacha: 2000 Bliain in Uair Amháin

Is siulóid idirghníomhach, ilmhéanach, threoraithe é 'Ard Mhacha: 2000 bliain in uair amháin'. Níl aon amhras ann go bhfuil go leor stair ag baint le hArd Mhacha. Tá Ard Mhacha le feiceáil ar an léarscáil is luaithe atá ann den domhan (Learscáil Ptolomey 140AD) mar cheann de na suíomhanna ríoga amháin in Éirinn. Ó hEamhain Mhacha, an láithreáin tábhachtach seandalaíochta atá mar phríomhchathair ársa Uladh agus mar shuíomh lárnach de miotaseolaíocht An Táin, go hArd Eaglais Naomh Phádraig agus go dtí uaigh Bhrian Bóroimhe. Tuigtear go bhfuil nasc an - tábhachtach bainte le stair agus teanga anseo in Ard Mhacha agus tá an siulóid seo in ann sin a shoiléiriú.

Ard Mhacha: 2000 Years In An Hour

Ard Mhacha: 2000 Years In An Hour is an interactive multi-media guided walking tour of Armagh. The ancient city of Armagh is absolutely steeped in history. The earliest existing map of the world (Ptolomey’s 140AD map) features Armagh prominently as one of only two Regal sites in Ireland. From the Archaeologically significant Eamhain Mhacha, the Capital of Ulster and central location of the Táin mythology, to the site of St. Patrick’s first church, and the resting place of Brian Boru. When understood through our Irish Language the heritage and cultural significance of Armagh is elucidated and brought to life. Anyone interested in taking part in the tour and attending the event should register HERE.

This project which was made possible with the assistance of The Community Heritage Fund and the Department for Communities, will help people in Ulster to connect with their local heritage.

To commence our Féile Bealtaine celebrations, we will have a very special guest concert from Scottish musician Ali Levack. Levack, from Dingwall, is a former winner of BBC Radio Scotland Musician of the Year, and extremely talented on whistles and pipes. Ali is considered as one of the leading instrumentalists on the Traditional Music Scene. As well as a background and success in competitive piping from an early age, it’s his unorthodox whistle playing which proves his rising awareness amongst audiences. This will be shown in this showcase.This concert is kindly supported by Colmcille.

Le tús a chur le ceiliúradh Fhéile Bhealtaine, beidh cheolchoirm anspeisialta againn ón cheoltóir Albanach, Ali Levack. Is as Inbhir Pheofharain é, iar-bhuaiteoir Ceoltóir na Bliana BBC Radio Scotland é Levack, agus tá sé thar a bheith cumasach ar fheadóga agus ar phíopaí. Meastar go bhfuil Ali ar cheann de na príomhionstraimithe ar láthair an Cheoil Thraidisiúnta faoi láthair. Chomh maith le cúlra agus rath i bpíobaireacht iomaíoch ó aois anóg, is é a sheinm as an ghnáth ar fheadóg a chruthaigh feasacht air agus í sin ag dul i méid i measc lucht féachana. Taispeánfar é seo ag an cheolchoirm seo. Buíochas dó Cholmcille as an tacaíocht fhial leis an cheolchoirm seo

Facebook Live: Aonach Mhacha - Seoladh Oifigiúil Camino Mhacha 2021

Is siúlóid bhliantúil urraithe í Camino Mhacha le hairgead a bhailiú d’Aonach Mhacha, baile na Gaeilge agus na nEalaíon i gCathair Ard Mhacha. Mar chuid d’Fhéile Lúnasa siúlfaidh lucht Camino Mhacha ó Thí Chúlaínn, ar an Mhullach Bhán in Ard Mhacha Theas aneas go hAonach Mhacha i gcoiscéimeanna Chú Chulainn ar 1 Lúnasa 2021, turas 26 míle.

Beidh na mionsonraí faoin dúshlán fíorspéisiúil ar fáil ag an ócáid lainseála ar-líne seo ar an Domhnach 2 Bealtaine ar 15.00.

Facebook Live: Aonach Mhacha Official Launch of Camino Mhacha 2021

Camino Mhacha is an annual sponsored walk to raise money for Aonach Mhacha, the home of the Irish language and Arts in Armagh City. Walkers will walk 26 Miles in the footsteps of Cú Chúlaínn from Tí Chulainn in Mullaghbane in South Armagh to Aonach Mhacha.

The actual sponsored walk takes place this year on Sunday 1st of August 2021 as part of the Lúnasa festival but all the details will be revealed about this intriguing challenge during our on-line launch event on Sunday 2 May at 15.00.

Facebook Live: Aonach Mhacha - Agallamh le hAngus Lambkin a oibríonn le Cór Mearfhreagartha na hÉireann i gcomhar leis na Náisiúin Aontaithe.

Rachaidh Aonach Mhacha chun na hAfraice don chéad comhrá eile i sraith agallamh ar líne le daoine suimiúla agus ionspráideacha. I láthair na huaire tá Angus Lambkin ó Bhéal Feirste ag obair leis na Náisiúin Aontaithe i mBurundi. Labhairfidh Réamonn Ó Ciaráin leis faoina shaol, faoina chuid oibre agus faoi na géarchéimeanna éagsúla idirnáisiúnta lena a mbíonn Angus ag plé. Cluinfidh muid fosta faoin taithí atá ag Angus ag ceiliúradh na Bealtaine. Beidh an t-agallamh seo i nGaeilge.

Facebook Live: Aonach Mhacha - Discussion with Angus Lambkin who works with the United Nations. Aonach Mhacha travels to Africa for the next in a series of online interviews with interesting and inspirational people.

Angus Lambkin from Belfast is currently working in Burundi with the United Nations (Irish Aid Rapid Response Corps) where Réamonn Ó Ciaráin catches up with him to find out about his life, his work and about the various international crises during which Angus has been helping.

We will also find out how Angus has celebrated the Bealtaine Festival over the years. This interview will be in Irish.

Seoladh Chlár na nImeachtaí ‘SIÚIL’

Is é SIÚIL Ard Mhacha an grúpa siúlóide sléibhteoireacht Gaeilge, atá lonnaithe anois i gCultúrlann Aonach Mhacha! Thar na blianta, dreapadh sléibhte, cnoic agus eagraíodh siúlóidí i bpáirceanna náisiúnta ag an ghrúpa, ó Chiarraí go Dún na nGall. Le maolú ar shrianta Covid 19, tá fonn ar an ghrúpa dul ar ais ar an bhóthar agus tá pleananna acu dul go hidirnáisiúnta níos déanaí i mbliana (má cheadaíonn na coinníollacha, ar ndóigh !!) Tá baill SIÚIL Ard Mhacha ag tnúth le cuairt a thabhairt ar Pháirc Náisiúnta Eryri sa Bhreatain Bheag, chomh maith le tuaisceart na hIodáile níos déanaí i 2021! Bhunaigh CAIRDE TEO an grúpa SIÚIL in 2012 chun na buntáistí folláine agus sláinte mheabhrach a bhaineann le siúlóid eagraithe i gcnoic agus sléibhte na hÉireann agus níos faide a chur ar fáil. Chomh maith leis na buntáistí sláinte, is bealach iontach í an tsléibhteoireacht chun do scileanna comhrá Gaeilge a fheabhsú. Molaimid d’fhoghlaimeoirí na teanga a bheith linn ar ár dturais siúlóide agus ar an deireadh seachtaine, a sholáthraíonn timpeallacht foghlama neamhfhoirmiúil agus asraon sóisialta do chainteoirí Gaeilge ag gach leibhéal. Tá naisc ag grúpa Ard Mhacha SIÚIL le grúpaí eile ar fud na tíre agus roimhe seo, tá nasc déanta acu le Na Cnocadóirí i Sléibhte Bhaile Átha Cliath, na Sperrin Trekkers sna Speiríní, an grúpa Gap O' The North sna Beanna Boirche agus Fáinne Chnoc Shliabh gCuillinn, FIBI i gCuaille, agus go leor grúpaí eile. Téann muid ar thurais siúlóide thar dheireadh seachtaine freisin agus roimhe seo thug muid cuairt ar Corrán Tuathail (Ciarraí), An Earagail (Gaoth Dobhair), Sliabh Liag (Gleann Cholm Cille), Beann Mhadagáin (Béal Feirste), Cnoic Chill Mhantáin agus a lán áiteanna eile.

Is í áilleacht na siúlóide cnoic an tsimplíocht, mar cé gur minic a bhíonn tír-raon dúshlánach agus creagach agat, is annamh a bhíonn fearas níos teicniúla de dhíth ort ná mála droma, fón póca cumasaithe le GPS, péire buataisí maithe agus éadaí te, uiscedhíonacha. Clúdaíonn siúl cnoic gach rud ó do chnoic i do cheantar tuaithe go sléibhte arda dúshlánacha sna Beanna Boirche, agus mar sin is féidir leis na leibhéil aclaíochta agus taithí atá ag teastáil athrú go mór. Más rud é go bhfuil tú nua i mbun siúlóidí cnoic, tosaigh go bheag agus déan suaimhneas go mall. Mar sin, ná déan Sliabh Dónáirt ar an chéad dul síos! De réir mar a théann do leibhéil folláine agus do thaithí í dtoll a chéile, is féidir leat bealaí níos dúshlánaí a thógáil.

Tosaíonn gach turas siúlóide ag Cultúrlann Aonach Mhacha, Cathair Ard Mhacha, áit a mbaileofar iad siúd a bhfuil iompar curtha in áirithe acu roimh ré don turas ar aghaidh. Athraíonn amanna imeachta ag brath ar shuíomh na siúlóidí.

SIÚIL Ard Mhacha is the Irish language hill walking group, now based in Cultúrlann Aonach Mhacha! Over the years, the group has trekked mountains, hills and national parks from Kerry to Donegal. With the easing of Covid 19 restrictions, the group is keen to get back on the road and they even have plans to go international later this year (conditions permitting, of course!!) SIÚIL Ard Mhacha members are looking forward to visiting Snowdonia National Park in Wales, as well as beautiful northern Italy in late 2021!

The SIÚIL group was formed by CAIRDE Teo in 2012 to promote the active lifestyle and mental health benefits of organised group walking in the hills and mountains of Ireland and further afield. As well as the documented health benefits, hill walking is also a great way to improve your Irish conversational skills. We encourage learners of the language to join us on our walking trips and weekends, that provide an informal learning environment and a social outlet for Irish speakers at every level of ability.

The Ard Mhacha SIÚIL group has links with other groups across the country and has in the past linked up with Na Cnocadóirí in the Dublin Mountains, the Sperrin Trekkers in the Sperrins, the Gap O The North group in the Mournes and the Ring of Gullion, FIBI in the Cooleys, and many other groups besides. We also embark on weekend walking trips and have previously visited Corrán Tuathail (Ciarraí), An Earagail (Gaoth Dobhair), Sliabh Liag (Gleann Cholm Cille), Beann Mhadagáin (Béal Feirste), Cnoic Chill Mhantáin and a host of other destinations.

The beauty of hillwalking is its simplicity, because although you’ll often encounter challenging and rocky terrain it rarely requires any more technical gear than a rucksack, a GPS enabled mobile phone, a good pair of boots and warm, waterproof clothing. Hillwalking covers everything from your local hills and countryside to the high, challenging mountains of the Beanna Boirche (Mournes), so the levels of fitness and experience required can vary a lot. If you’re new to hillwalking, start small and ease yourself in slowly. As in, don’t make Sliabh Donard the first route you ever try. As your fitness and experience levels build, you can in turn build yourself up to more challenging routes.

All walking trips commence at Cultúrlann Aonach Mhacha, Armagh City, where those who have pre-booked transport will be collected for the onward journey. Departure times vary depending on the location of the walks.

For more information, contact eolas@aonachmhacha.com or call 028 37998111.

Diancúrsaí ar an Dían

Bígí linn le haghaidh ár gcéad atosú ar na Dianchúrsaí, ach ar an Díon! Mar gheall ar na srianta á maolú, tá muid ag súil lenár gcéad Dianchúrsaí eile a reáchtáil ar dhíon an Cultúrlainne, ar an 8 Bealtaine.

Cuireadh ár nDiancúrsaí an-rathúil ar líne le linn na paindéime, ach is dóigh linn anois go bhfuil an t-am ceart chun idirghníomhaíocht fhisiciúil a thabhairt ar ais!

Beidh rang do thosaitheoirí ar maidin, agus rang idirmheánach tráthnóna, agus cuirfear lón ar fáil. Tuilleadh sonraí níos gaire don am!

Come join us for our first resumption of our Diancúrsaí, but on the Dían! With the easing of restrictions, we are hoping to run our next Diancúrsaí on the roof of the Culturlann, on the 8^th May.

Our highly successful Diancúrsaí were forced online during the pandemic, but we now feel the time is right to bring back in person interaction.

There will be a beginner class in the morning, and an intermediate class in the afternoon, and lunch will be provided. More details closer to the time!

For further information, please contact Tiarnán, at eolas@cairdeteo.com.

Bord Contae Ard Mhacha CCÉ:

Beidh réimse ceoltóirí ó Craobhacha éagsúla Comhaltais i gContae Ard Mhacha ag casadh ceoil mar chuid de FleadFest 2021. Mar gheall ar na srianta covid, tiocfadh an FleadhFest in áit an gnáth-Fhleadh Chontae Ard Mhacha, atá á maoiniú ag An Roinn Turáisóirechta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán. Déanfar sruthú beo den FleadhFest ar an idirlíonn i Mí an Mheithimh mar chuid de cheiliúradh Chomhaltas na hÉireann. Tá lúcháir ar Bhord Contae Ard Mhacha a bheith ag obair i gcomhair le hAonach Mhacha leis an FleadhFest a chur ar fáil.

Tuilleadh eolas le teacht!

Armagh County Board CCÉ Fleadhfest 2021

Will feature a range of performers from across all the Comhaltas branches in County Armagh. Due to Covid restrictions this event, funded by An Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt and Meán and Comhaltas, will replace the usual Armagh County Fleadh. FleadhFest will be streamed on the internet in June as part of an all-Ireland Comhaltas celebration. Armagh County Board CCÉ is delighted to be working in partnership with Aonach

Mhacha in delivering this exciting project.

More details to follow!

Ag Teacht go luath!

Tá Siopa Macha ag súil go mór le fáilte a chur romhaibh arís ón 30ú lá de Mhí Aibreáin. Tá éagsúlacht bronntanas ar fáil sa siopa mar aon le seodra agus plaiceanna atá spreagtha ón mhiotas, ó na fhinscéalta agus ón stair. Tá réimse leabhar Gaeilge agus ábhar oideachais ar fáil sa siopa chomh maith le hearraí pearsantaithe.

Siopa Macha will re-open its doors on the 30th of April and we look forward to welcoming everyone back! We are offering an extensive portfolio including bespoke jewellery and plaques as well as luxury gift sets that are inspired by Irish myths, legends and history. A range of Irish language books and educational aids also available at Siopa Macha as well as Personalised gifts.

Tá Caifé Mhacha ag súil go mór fáilte a chur romhaibh arís ón 24ú lá de Mhí na Bealtaine. Beidh rogha mhór na coitiantachta ar fáil arís, is é sin an caifé is fearr in Ard Mhacha, ceapairí, borróga agus neart eile! Buail isteach le cleachtadh a dhéanamh ar do chuid Ghaeilge. Bígí Linn.

Caifé Mhacha will re-open its doors on the 24th of May and we can't wait to welcome you all back. All your favourites will be available again, including the best coffee in Armagh, sandwiches, tray bakes and much more ! So call back in and get practising your 'cúpla focal' where you are guaranteed a warm welcome.

Is fiontar sóisialta Gaeilge é CAIRDE Teo a sholáthraíonn deiseanna fostaíochta, taithí oibre agus oiliúna go príomha trí mheán na Gaeilge. Le míonna beaga anuas, chonaic Cairde Teo méadú mór ar dhaoine ag freastal ar na ranganna Gaeilge, a bhí ar líne mar thoradh ar an phaindéim. Tá sé seo thar a bheith dearfach don Ghaeilge ar an iomlán, ach go háirithe i gCathair Ard Mhacha. Cé go raibh an bhliain seo caite dúshlánach, bhíomar in ann acmhainní a fháil don bhliain amach romhainn nuair a éascaíonn srianta. Tá súil againn caidreamh a dhéanamh arís lenár rannóg óige agus táimid ag pleanáil Campa Mhacha a reáchtáil arís go luath sa samhradh.

CAIRDE Teo is an Irish language community owned enterprise that provides employment, work experience and training opportunities primarily through the medium of Irish.

In the recent months, Cairde Teo has seen an unprecedented number of people engage in their Irish Language classes, which were online as a result of the pandemic. This is hugely positive for the Irish language overall, but especially in Armagh City.

Whilst the past year has been challenging, we were able to secure resources for the coming year when restrictions ease. We are hoping to reengage with our youth section and are planning to run Campa Mhacha again early in the summer.

Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages for more updates!