At An Coimín, in Gleann Fhinne, located on the fringe of the impressive Cruacha Gorma (Blue Stack Mountains) in the heart of the Donegal Highlands, is an area well-known for the richness of its oral tradition, as well as the excellence of its native singers and dancers.

Set in this lively Irish-speaking townland, author and broadcaster Áine Ní Dhioraí responds to tour de force in the form of a lecture that considers the rise of industry in Ireland and its effect on south west Donegal. En route around Ireland, the tour passes through a number of regional and rural areas before arriving in Glenties. At this event, you’ll hear about the Irish place names of tour de force pit stops and from there, Áine elaborates on more specific details related to the place names of Glenties and how industrialisation, development of new roads and technological innovations affected the language, tunes and stories of Na Cruacha. 

As a native of Donegal, Áine Ní Dhioraí’s specialised research interests are connected with the local landscape, its stories and folklore. Her book, Na Cruacha: Scéalta agus Seanchas, a compilation of folklore collected in the 1900s, was published by Cló Iar-Chonnacht. 

This lecture will be delivered during a gaeltacht course and will incorporate the irish language and, in the spirit of tour de force tangents, d-tours, side stories and backroads are very much welcomed!