17 Jun 2025
Publication of book in Irish, English and Ulster Scots by young people from Donegal and Tyrone.
Donegal County Library Service are delighted to announce the publication of a new book inspired by the Strabane writer Flann O’Brien by students in schools in Donegal and Tyrone that features writing in Irish, English and Ulster Scots.
The book called Abhainn Burn River was developed in writing workshops by children from Castletown NS, Lifford NS, Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh and Strabane PS which took place in Lifford Library and Strabane Library. The workshops developed and facilitated by the poets Alan Millar and Dubhán Ó Longáin allowed the young people the opportunity to create stories and poems in three languages.
This is a unique project that celebrates the linguistic heritage of Donegal and Tyrone. As Dubhán Ó Longáin says “not only do three rivers meet here at Lifford and Strabane, so do three languages.” This is reflected in the title of the book. While Alan Millar acknowledges that Flann O’Brien was not known for Ulster Scots he believes “his extraordinary free-headed writing fits in well with the non-standardized magic of Scots.”
The book was celebrated at an event in Lifford Library with the Cathaoirleach of Lifford-Stranorlar MD Councillor Martin Harley on Tuesday 17th June. Councillor Harley praised the students on their work “and the great achievement of publishing a book at such a young age.”
A further celebration will take place in Strabane Library during the The Flann O’Brien Symposium which will take place in the town from the 25th June.
Copies of the book will be available to read and borrow in branches of Donegal County Library Service. The book can also be viewed here:
This project was funded by Creative Ireland and coordinated in partnership between Donegal County Library Service and Libraries NI.
For more information about Donegal County Library visit www.donegallibrary.ie or follow @DonegalCountyLibrary on Facebook and @DonegalLibrary on Instagram.
Leabhar scríofa i nGaeilge, Béarla agus Ultais le daoine óga i nDún na nGall agus Tír Eoghain.
Tá lúcháir ar Sheirbhís Leabharlainne Dhún na nGall a fhógairt go bhfuil leabhar foilsithe anois atá spreagtha ag an scríbhneoir mór le rá Flann Ó Brien nó Brian Ó Nualláin. Scríobh scoláirí i nDún na nGall agus Tír Eoghain an leabhar seo agus tá meascán de scríbhneoireacht i nGaeilge, Béarla agus Ultais ann.
Abhainn Burn River an teideal atá ar an leabhar agus forbraíodh é i gceardlanna le páistí ó Scoil Náisiúnta Bhaile an Chaisleáin, Scoil Náisiúnta an Leifir, Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh agus Bunscoil an tSratha Báin i Leabharlann an Leifir agus Leabharlann an tSratha Báin. D’fhorbair agus d’éascaigh na filí Alan Millar agus Dubhán Ó Longáin na ceardlanna a thug deis do na daoine óga dánta agus scéalta a scríobh i dtrí theanga.
Déanann an togra ar leith ceiliúradh ar oidhreacht teanga Dhún na nGall agus Thír Eoghain. Mar a dúirt Dubhán Ó Longáin “ní hamháin go dtagann trí abhainn le chéile ag Leifear agus An Srath Bán, ach trí theanga.” Tá sé sin léirithe i dteideal an leabhair. Aithníonn Alan Millar nach raibh cáil ag Flann O’Brien maidir le scríbhneoireacht Ultaise ach creideann sé “go n-oireann a scríbhneoireacht ar leith an draíocht neamhchaighdeánach a bhaineann leis an Albainis.”
Rinneadh ceiliúradh ar an leabhar ag ócáid i Leabharlann Leifir le Cathaoirleach Cheantar Bardasach Leifir - Shrath an Urláir, an Comhairleoir Martin Harley Dé Máirt 17 Meitheamh. Thug An Comhairleoir Harley ardmholadh do na páistí agus luaigh sé “an t-éacht a raibh bainte amach acu agus leabhar foilsithe acu ag aois óg.”
Beidh ceiliúradh eile i Leabharlann An tSratha Báin. Beidh siompóisiam Flann O’Brien ar siúl ar an tSrath Bán ón 25 Meitheamh.
Beidh an leabhar ar fáil ar iasacht i leabharlanna Dhún na nGall. Thig an leabhar a léamh ag an nasc seo fosta:
https://issuu.com/donegalculture/docs/abhainn_-_burn_-_river
Is ó Éire Ildánach a tháinig maoiniú don togra seo agus chomhordaigh Leabharlanna Dhún na nGall agus Leabharlanna Thuaisceart Éireann an togra seo i gcomhpháirtíocht le chéile.
Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais faoi Sheirbhís Leabharlainne Dhún na nGall tabhair cuairt ar @DonegalCountyLibrary ar Facebook agus @DonegalLibrary ar Instagram.