Ireland Reads is an annual campaign each February by Libraries Ireland that encourages people to take the pledge to ‘Squeeze in a Read’. The campaign is part of the government’s Healthy Ireland at Your Library programme, and it aims to celebrate reading and all the benefits it can have for wellbeing and enjoyment. Just like sport, there is a large body of research which shows how beneficial reading can be to our mental health. Go raibh maith agaibh to Noreen Doherty, Fergus McGee and CLG Dhún na nGall their support of the competition and sponsorship of the prizes.
For the second year in a row, as part of Ireland Reads, Donegal County Library teamed up with CLG Dhún na nGall with an initiative to celebrate reading and playing Gaelic Games. School students around the county were invited to take part in the ‘Play on Words – Imeartas Focal’ poetry competition and write a short poem about the importance of a healthy body and a healthy mind.With match tickets and a Donegal jersey up for grabs we knew there would be great interest but we were taken aback by not just the number of entries but the quality of the poems in both English and Irish.
Tuigim chomh maith cé chomh tábhachtach atá an Ghaeilge agus rinne muid cinnte go raibh deis ag páistí páirt a ghlacadh sa chomórtas seo trí mheán na Gaeilge. Mo bhuíochas le Líonra Leitir Ceanainn a thug duaiseanna dúinn don chomórtas Gaeilge.
Sitting down to channel your creativity and playing a game of football or hurling are more alike than you might think. Both are an escape from the constant noise of modern life and the never-ending buzz and beep of mobile phones. When you are concentrating on catching the next ball or trying to come up with the most fitting word, all of that outside noise and distraction is drowned out. You are living in the moment. As is the case when you are reading a book by your favourite author and the story is so good that you never want it to end.
Winning Poems:
Tóg Sos!!!
Le Flionn Mac Giolla Bhríde Scoil Mhuire, Doire Beaga
Mmmmm, ahhhh
Aer úr , lán brí agus an ghaoth
Nach dheas éalú ón mbrú istigh.
Déan siúd , déan seo
Bí ansin agus ansiúd,
Ach nach dtig liom mo rogha rud a dhéanamh gan cead??
Anáil isteach agus anáil amach
Glac sos ón saol mór agus lig do scíth,
Tóg nóiméad duit féin gan duine ar bith!!
Forever Fit
By Thomas Toner, Glenswilly N.S.
On Sunday night as I got into bed.
A footballing dream entered my head.
Next morning, I awoke and what did I see?
The garden full of managers scouting for me!
Question after question about my goalkeeping skills
and if playing for Donegal would give me big thrills.
I said I would love to play with the best
and Gaelic football would put me to the test!
They watched me leap and they watched me dive.
They drilled me for hours, I was barely alive!
I told them that fitter a boy they’d not find,
but it was just as important to exercise my mind.
I told them of authors and books I adore,
from Walliams to Kinney, Roald Dahl and much more.
How reading adventures in books brought me joy
and made me a clever and happier boy.
They chatted a while, then signed me up.
My aim is to lift the Sam Maguire Cup!
Runners Up: Holly McGarvey, Scoil Cholmcille, An Tearmann; Darragh Mc Gonigle, Cloontagh N.S.; Sophia McLaughlin, Tiernasligo N.S.; Aoife Breathnach, Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin;Lily Norris, Malin Head N.S.;Eilís Ní Chonaill, Scoil Naomh Bríd, Na Dúnaibh;Matthew Gallinagh, Glenswilly N.S;Dearbhla Catterson, Lurgybrack N.S.
Joe Ó Ceallaigh – Seirbhís Leabharlainne Dhún na nGall
