Joe Mahon announces new bursary in memory of Irish language champion Dick Mac Gabhann ~ Sparánacht nua i gcuimhne ar laoch na Gaeilge Dick Mac Gabhann

A new bursary commemorating the author and musician Risteard Mac Gabhann (1938-1923) is being set up to support Irish language cultural practitioners in the North West.

Broadcaster Joe Mahon made the announcement at the unveiling of a specially-commissioned portrait of his lifelong friend at the Derry Cultúrlann. Mr Mahon has generously started 'Ciste Mhic Gabhann' with a donation of £5000 and says he hopes other funders will now also contribute to it.

More than 100 people attended the ceremony on January 2, where the unveiling was conducted by Risteard Mac Gabhann's family, including his wife Joan, daughters Ciara, Áine and Treasa, and grandsons Fionn and Cian. The portrait was created by Derry artist John McCandless and was sponsored by the Ultach Trust.

Colmcille Press, which published Mr Mac Gabhann's magnum opus Claisceadal cois Baile shortly before his death in May 2023, will help administer the new bursary along with Ciara Nic Gabhann, the Derry Cultúrlann and Joe Mahon himself.

Tá sparánacht nua á bunú in ómós an údair agus cheoltóra Risteard Mac Gabhann (1938-1923) chun tacú le cleachtóirí cultúrtha na Gaeilge san Iarthuaisceart.

Rinne an craoltóir Joe Mahon an fógra ag nochtadh portráide speisialta dá chara-saoil i gCultúrlann Dhoire. Tá 'Ciste Mhic Gabhann' tosaithe go fial ag an Uasal Mahon le síntiús de £5000 agus dúirt sé go bhfuil súil aige go gcuirfidh maoinitheoirí eile leis anois freisin.

D’fhreastail níos mó ná 100 duine ar an searmanas ar an 2 Eanáir, áit ar reáchtáil teaghlach Risteard Mac Gabhann an nochtadh, lena n-áirítear a bhean chéile Joan, a iníonacha Ciara, Áine agus Treasa, agus a gharmhic Fionn agus Cian.

Chruthaigh an t-ealaíontóir as Doire, John McCandless, an phortráid agus rinne Iontaobhas Ultach urraíocht uirthi.

Cuideoidh Colmcille Press, a d’fhoilsigh magnum opus Claisceadal Cois Baile an Uasail Mhic Gabhann go gairid roimh a bhás i mBealtaine 2023, an sparánacht nua a riaradh in éineacht le Ciara Nic Gabhann, Cultúrlann Dhoire agus Joe Mahon féin.