Oriel Connects Us

29/04/2026

Oirialla a Thugann Sinn le Chéile – Oriel Connects Us Omeath Lislea Partnership

Clabhsúr iontach Dé Domhnaigh seo caite le scéim trasteorann a thug daoine agus grúpaí le chéile chun tuiscint níos fearr agus níos doimhne a bheith acu ar oidhreacht Oirialla. Scaifte i láthair in Ionad an Dolmen, cainteanna curtha ar fáil, agus ceol den scoth ó Cheoilfhoireann Traidisiúnta Oirialla. Mhair an scéim, a bhí maoinithe ag an IFI, bliain go leith agus chuaigh an t-am thart go gasta agus go tairbheach.

The “Oriel Connects Us-Oirialla a Thugann le Chéile Sinn” IFI sponsored project, that brought Omeath and Lislea communities together over its 18 months duration, concluded on a high point on Sunday 26 April. Two informative talks on Coláiste Bhríde, at its Omeath and Rannafast sites, were delivered by Breandán Ó Dufaigh (Muineachán) and Séamus Mac Dhaibhéid (An tIúr). The Oriel Traditional Orchestra provided the musical entertainment with a programme that covered new compositions and tunes of local origins. The Project Co-ordinator, Kathleen O’Brien (Omeath District Development) was presented with flowers by members of the Omeath Historical Society in appreciation of her enthusiastic management of the very successful project. Particular praise was also given to Caoimhe Morgan who taught the Irish classes in Omeath and Lislea, and to Kate Quinn who co-ordinated affairs in Lislea. Helen Thompson (Omeath District Development) hosted the event in the Dolmen Centre and thanked IFI for their support. Catering was provided by Kitchenetta.
Photographs by Lorraine Teevan.

23/04/2026

Oirialla a Thugann Sinn le Chéile – Oriel Connects Us Omeath Lislea Partnership

COLÁISTE BHRÍDE SAINT BRIGID’S IRISH COLLEGE
THE TRANSITION YEARS – NA hIDIRBHLIANTA

Domhnach/Sunday 26 Aibreán/April 2026
Dolmen Centre, Omeath @ 3pm

A closing event to mark the end of the successful Oirialla a Thugann Sinn le Chéile/Oriel Connects Us project that brought together Omeath and Lislea communities in an exploration of shared lived experiences and Oriel heritage. The event will feature short, informative contributions from Séamus Mac Dhaibhéid (Newry) and Breandán Ó Dufaigh (Monaghan) who will examine the fascinating story of Saint Brigid’s Irish College in Omeath and its transfer to Rannafast, County Donegal. The Oriel Traditional Orchestra will round off the occasion with a suite of local tunes.

Refreshments will be served. Fáilte roimh chách!

For more information:
[email protected]
+353 429375422 or Kate: +447803600877

16/04/2026

The Department of Adult and Community Education in collaboration with the Centre for Studies in Irish Protestantism, at Maynooth University were delighted to host the Omeath District Development’s Oriel Connects Us group on their educational study visit on Friday 10th April.

Miriam Moffitt, Michael Kenny and Margaret Nugent facilitated the group of 25 people from the Omeath and Lislea areas to explore the historic and cultural aspects of Maynooth University and St Patricks Pontifical University, along with its deep societal impact across the centuries.

The group explored the history of Maynooth seminary, from the 1700's, and were taken on a guided tour of the Church and campus.

Together they celebrated the 28th Anniversary (10th April 1998) of the Good Friday/Belfast/Northern Ireland agreement, and considered the impact of decades of peace and reconciliation.

The five interwoven strands of reconciliation were discussed, and in small groups, a future shared vision for the socio, economic and cultural development of the Omeath and Lislea areas was explored.

Overall this was a very successful educational study visit, words such as belonging, togetherness, longevity, goodwill, friendship, commonality and connections were shared by the group in the concluding session.

31/03/2026

Oriel Connects Us Omeath / Lislea Partnership Launch
Oirialla a Thugann Sinn le Cheile
Educational Visit to Maynooth University

Friday 10th April 2026 (times to be confirmed)

Maynooth University, in collaboration with Oriel Connects Us, Omeath / Lislea Partnership extends a warm welcome to you to engage in the following discussions and activities:

o The History of Maynooth: exploring and managing key influences, opinions and attitudes from 1795 to present day, Dr. Miriam Moffitt

o Between Scylla and Charybdis, navigating opposing and invisible influences - the role of community-led intergenerational dialogue in building solidarity Dr. Margaret Nugent and Emeritus Michael Kenny

o Closing of the 'Oriel Connects Us' epic Journey

o Guided tour of St. Patrick’s Chapel – involves moderate walking, attendees to wear appropriate footwear

To Book: [email protected] +353 42 9375422 Kate: +447803600877

24/03/2026

Oirialla a Thugann Sinn le Chéile – Oriel Connects Us Omeath Lislea Women’s Group
On a beautiful Saturday morning, on 21st March 2026, a gathering of 19 women from Omeath and Lislea participated in a workshop that explored the role of women in building sustainable peace. The workshop was delivered as a module of the One Peace Programme.

Throughout the workshop, women engaged in dialogue about the five interwoven strands of reconciliation (Hamber and Kelly, 2004). They discussed a century of political conflicts, and the depiction of women throughout that century, along with women's various roles in building peace within the recent past.

Participants were intergenerational, leading to the sharing of a rich diversity of opinions, perspectives and experiences. The challenges facing women in building reconciliation were discussed, along with the opportunities for women to work in solidarity to address societal challenges of the contemporary era.

The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Margaret Nugent. Lecturer, Research Fellow and co-director of the Centre for Studies in Irish Protestantism, the Department of Adult and Community Education, in Maynooth University.

20/03/2026

A reminder for tomorrow's event

Oriel Connects Us Omeath / Lislea Women’s Group One Peace Programme
with Dr. Margaret Nugent Maynooth University

Saturday 21st March 2026 at Grand Central Hotel, Omeath @ 10am
Light Lunch Provided

In this workshop the role of women in building sustainable peace processes is explored.
Ideas such as building positive relationships and/or encounters; developing a shared vision of an interdependent and fair future, with significant cultural and attitudinal change are explored through dialogue and small group work.

Dr. Margaret Nugent is an academic and Research Fellow in Maynooth University. She is Co-director of the Centre for Studies in Irish Protestantism. Her research interests are in conflict intervention, post conflict reconciliation processes, intra and inter community dialogue, the philosophy of unity and peace pedagogy.

12/03/2026

Oriel Connects Us Omeath / Lislea Women’s Group One Peace Programme
with Dr. Margaret Nugent Maynooth University

Saturday 21st March 2026 at Grand Central Hotel, Omeath @ 10am
Light Lunch Provided

In this workshop the role of women in building sustainable peace processes is explored.
Ideas such as building positive relationships and/or encounters; developing a shared vision of an interdependent and fair future, with significant cultural and attitudinal change are explored through dialogue and small group work.

Dr. Margaret Nugent is an academic and Research Fellow in Maynooth University. She is Co-director of the Centre for Studies in Irish Protestantism. Her research interests are in conflict intervention, post conflict reconciliation processes, intra and inter community dialogue, the philosophy of unity and peace pedagogy.

12/03/2026

Oirialla a Thugann Sinn le Chéile –
Oriel Connects Us Omeath / Lislea Women’s Group

Our thanks to Eve for delivering the Women’s Health and Wellbeing Day. Omeath / Lislea women enjoyed working on all aspects of wellness - the body, heart, mind and soul all weaved together through breath, movement, rhythm, sound, fun, heart filled creativity and song. A day of play for all the senses giving a hands on approach and practical tool belt to come into wellness and authentic presence. With a good few giggles and wiggles along the way.

Described as ‘a voice from heaven’, Eve weaves her work in a living practice through her singing, teaching, healing, connection through art, nature and heart.
Balance Abundance Breath and Bel Canto

11/03/2026

Oirialla a Thugann Sinn le Chéile – Oriel Connects Us

Two well-attended Irish language intensive courses took place in Newry on Saturday 7th March 2026. They were conducted by Ulster Gaelic League/Comhaltas Uladh stalwarts Dr Niall Comer and Séamus Mac Dhaibhéid who pitch their tuition at the competence bands as outlined in the Common European Framework Reference guidance. Attendees actively participated in vocabulary building, collective singing, poetry and grammar drills. It is noticeable in Omeath / Newry and elsewhere that larger numbers of adults are rediscovering Irish or learning it for the first time. Another welcome trend is that learners avail of lessons in different venues and are showing the stamina and commitment needed to progress in second language acquisition. The courses were held in Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, one of the best resourced teaching centres in Ulster and a centre where an educational exhibition is currently available of newly acquired materials that relate to the history of Comhaltas Uladh.
The courses were organised by Kathleen O’Brien and funded by the International Fund for Ireland as part of the ‘Oriel Connects Us’ project.