Rights campaigner to attend Kilnaleck festival
Seamus Enright
Irish civil rights leader and former politician Bernadette Devlin McAliskey will attend the screening of a new documentary on her life, to be shown on the opening night of Kilnaleck's Summer Festival.
'Bernadette', by film-maker Patrick Farrelly, will be shown at Lovett's Bar at 8pm on Friday, July 27, tickets €5.
As a 21-year-old student, Devlin was elected as MP in the Mid Ulster by-election of April 1969. A socialist and standing for Independent Unity, she defeated the Unionist Party's Anna Forrest, wife of the late former MP, George Forrest.
Devlin was elected with a majority of 4,211, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Westminster, the start of a remarkable career in politics.
Mr Farrelly, whose brother Eugene is a founding member of Kilnaleck's increasingly popular weekly Irish speaking social evening, Cupla Focal, previously released 'Nuala', an unflinching look at the life and death of the late Nuala O’Faolain.
Now it its fourth year, Chair of Feile Ealaine An tSamhraidh organising committee, local businessman Eugene Kiernan praised the community effort in support the festival which continues to grow from strength to strength.
“The festival started off as a way of promoting usage of the Irish language, and now encompasses a great many events, including including the arts and music.
“We are hugely privileged to have Bernadette Devlin attend the screening of this new documentary, as we look forward to all the events taking place in the village throughout the weekend.”
Central ot that is the An Ghaeltacht sa Bhaile, a two day Irish language school which takes place in the Realtog Centre on Saturday-Sunday, July 28-29 from 10am to 1pm, and 3pm to 5pm each day. The cost for the two day course is €25, including Sunday lunch.
An exhibition of art will also run throughout the weekend at McCabe's Show rooms, featuring works by local artists such as woodworker Joey Burns, and artists Michelle Harton, Pauline Halton and Jacqui O'Neill. A donation will also be made in aid of Cancer Research.
The highlight on Saturday 28, at 8pm in Kilnaleck Hall,is a new play 'Thank You', written and performed by the acclaimed local actor and playwright Seamus O'Rourke. Tickets €10.
Sunday, July 29 meanwhile at the Vintage Bar, from 8pm, will once again welcome a talk from historian Brian MacDomhaill, titled 'The Further in the Deep'. Previous well-received events included talks on Irish names and place-names.