Áislann Rann na Feirste
Áislann Rann na Feirste project is a community centre that was developed and completed by the people of Rann na Feirste, their friends and neighbours.
The Áislann committee was established in 1997 and the start up capital was granted to them by the IFI, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Roinn na Gaeltachta and MFG in 2007. The rest of the money was raised by the community themselves by running events and fundraisers.
The local culture and heritage plays an important role in the community's identity and the Áislann will hopefully preserve and capture the identity. The centre itself is built in Páirc Sheáin Néill, which was bought by the committee in 1997 but it wasn't until June 2008, that the construction began.
The Áislann opened its doors in June 2010.
The first inhabitants
In the year 1736 two brothers by the names of Pádraig and Seán Ó Grianna came to Rann Na Feirste. It is said that they bought Rann Na Feirste for five pounds. Seán fell in love with the beauty of the village and Pádraig only saw a cold and rough landscape. They divided the village between them, Seán took the lower end which is known as Tóin an Bhaile and Pádraig took the rest of the land which is now known as Carraig an Choill. Their descendents are still living in the area today.
Achievements
Seán Ó Grianna was a talented musician and storyteller and it is no surprise that the Ó Grianna family inherited this gift. The writers Seosamh Mac Grianna and Séamus Ó Grianna(Máire)descended from this family. Both of their works are famous throughout the Country and highly acclaimed in Irish Literature. Rann na Feirste has also produced many talented writers, poets, storytellers, singers and musicians.
Coláiste Bhríde
Coláiste Bhríde was founded by Father Lorcán Ó Muirí in 1926. He was inspired to build the college because of the strong Irish speaking tradition and heritage. At first the college was built on a hill ‘ Ard Cnoc na bhFaoileog’ but on one stormy night the wind blew the college across to Gweedore. A new college was built on lower ground where it is still today. Hundreds of students come to Coláiste Bhríde Rann Na Feirste every year to learn Irish and embrace Irish tradition.
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