Turas na bhFilí
Established in 1970, Turas na bhFilí (The Poets' Tour) is one of the most recognised cultural exchange programmes between Irish and Scottish poets.
This year, a group of Scottish poets will visit Ireland from 12 – 15 April 2012. The tour will commence with a wonderful evening of poetry with the fifth annual Comórtas Filíochta an Choirnéil Eoghain Uí Néill, a competition for new poetry from Ireland and Scotland will take place again in Cois Teallaigh on Kildare Street in the heart of Dublin city as part of this year’s tour.
The talented poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill will be one of two judges of the competition. Renowned poets Rody Gorman and Fearghas MacFhionnlaigh will read some of their own poetry on the night and this will be joined by traditional singers Rona Lightfoot from South Uist and Linda NicLeòid from North Uist. The Scottish visitors will be joined by sean-nós singer Máire Ní Choilm from Mín an Iolair, Co. Donegal.
The following day the group will make their way to the Co. Waterford Gaeltacht of An Rinn where s a traditional evening of poetry and musicians will take place in Méanscoil San Nioclas on 13th April.
The Scottish guests will be joined by local poet Áine Uí Fhoghlú and the talented piper Caoimhín Ó Fearghail (Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana TG4 2012) and sean-nós singer Ann Mulqueen. Mac Dara Mac Donncha, broadcaster with RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta will be host the event.
Local musicians and will also gives the opportunity to local poets present on the night to read some of their work at the open-mike session.
The final evening of Turas na bhFilí will host a wonderful evening of Scottish and Irish culture in the Seven Oaks Hotel in Carlow on Saturday 14th April. This cultural night is being organised in conjunction with this year's Pan Celtic Festival and Glór Cheatharlach having being working in association with Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge on this leg of this years poets tour.
Local poet Deirdre Brennan will recite her poetry on the night along with her Scottish counterparts and special guest include the talented Carlow born harpist/singer Pádraigín Caesar.
Turas na bhFilí is an important Celtic scheme and is well respected by Irish and Gaelic speakers, especially by poets and musicians of both traditions.
Some of the poets and musicians who visited Scotland as part of this exchange were, Máirtín Ó Direáin, Caitlín Maude, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Gabriel Rosenstock, Seán Ó Tuama agus Cathal Ó Searcaigh.
Turas na bhFilí is the longest running exchange scheme between Ireland and Scotland. It was established by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge with the participation and co-operation of various Scottish cultural collectives over the years. The format of the exhange sees two poets, a musician and a traditional singer in each group when the Scottish poets’ visit Ireland and the Irish poets’ visit Scotland. As part of the exchange programme the group meet locals in communities across the country and participate in school visits and workshops, lectures, concerts and other cultural activities.
Turas na bhFilí aims to strengthen the links between Irish and Scottish communities and to maintain regular contact between the two countries. Both communities have an opportunity to get to know one another’s culture, language and music and also to study the similarities and differences between indigenous traditions.
More information on the competition can be found here.
The 2011 events booklet can be viewed here.
Turas na bhFilí is funded by Foras na Gaeilge.
