Jake MacSiacais
Mary Durkan
Catherine Pollock
Rosa Nic Lochainn
Is oideachasóir í Rosa Nic Lochlainn, agus tá idir tháithí múinteoireachta agus tháithí bainistíochta aici i scoileanna éagsúla i mBéal Feirste, i nDoire agus i Leitir Ceanainn.
The main event of this year’s festival will be a Discussion Panel on “A New Ireland” on Wednesday, 24th April at 19:30pm in Dillons Hotel, Letterkenny. The aim of the evening is to explore what sort of Ireland do we envisage for the future, what would be required to make all sectors of the community feel it could be a country for them to thrive in? The event will chaired by Micheál Ó hÉanaigh, former chief executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta, and on the panel we will be joined by Jake MacSiacais, Mary Durkan, Caolán Ó Coisneacháin, Catherine Pollock and Rosa Nic Lochlainn. This is an opportunity to examine some of the major questions, and as there will also be a translation service provided, both Irish and English speakers can take part in the conversation – and everyone welcome to come along!
Jake MacSiacais was born in North Belfast but most of his life has been spent in the west of the city. Although he spent time in prison during the troubles, Jake’s life since then has been devoted to development and cross-community work. He has worked as the director of Forbairt Feirste since 2004, and is a voluntary director of several organisations, including Fáilte Feirste Thiar agus An Cheathrú Ghaeltachta Teo. He was also a member of Foras na Gaeilge and is a governor at Coláiste Feirste. Jake is the author of autobiography ‘Ón Taobh Istigh’ and of two novels ‘Tearmann na Mara’ and ‘Marbháin Thíos Fúm’, and he has a keen interest in local history.
Mary Durkan
Mary Durcan is a solicitor from Derry who works extensively in family law. She graduated with a law degree from Queen’s University in 2002, served as President of the Students’ Union at Queen’s, and has been practicing as a solicitor for the past 20 years, primarily focusing on Children’s Law. In addition, she is a preschool manager in Derry, works as an ISPC activist, and has a huge love for the Irish language – Mary is also very knowledgeable about the new legislation currently brought in to the six counties regarding Irish and Ulster Scots.
Caolán Ó Coisneacháin is a graduate of Ulster University, having achieved a first-class honours degree in Irish Language and Literature, and PGCE through Irish from Queen’s University, Belfast. He has extensive experience teaching Irish at all levels and was also a Fulbright FLTA, teaching Irish in universities in the United States and serving as an ambassador for Ireland. Currently, he works as a Learning Facilitator and Development Officer with Turas, an organisation based in East Belfast, in the Unionist and loyalist area which provides Irish language classes in the community, and has now established both a naíonra and gaelscoil.
Catherine Pollock is a community worker and activist from Derry and has worked in the community and voluntary sector for over 20 years, in projects focused on advocacy, equality and quality of life. Having grown up in a Protestant family and attending a state primary and grammar school, her access to the Irish language was restricted and limited. Catherine has been learning Irish for a few years now and she is an advocate for the benefits of bilingualism, and aims to dispel the stereotypes that surround the language and increase access to the Irish for all communities. Catherine currently works for local Irish language and cultural organisation, Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, on the Droichead project.
Rosa Nic Lochlainn has extensive experience in the educational sector, holding both teaching and managerial positions in various schools across Belfast, Derry and Letterkenny.