RTÉ FACTUAL: Siúlach Scéalach looks back at the history of the Oireachtas festival

Ian Lee Image Name: Ian Lee Description: Ian Lee Copyright: RTÉ
Eoin MacNeill Image Name: Eoin MacNeill Description: Eoin MacNeill (date unknown). Irish scholar and co-founder of the Gaelic League. He was also President of the Irish National Volunteers. Copyright: RTÉ Stills Library
Douglas Hyde Image Name: Douglas Hyde Description: Douglas Hyde (date unknown) Copyright: RTÉ Stills Library

Broadcast Details: Sunday 28th October, 1.15pm

Ian Lee brings us a special edition of the programme about the history of the Oireachtas festival.

As the annual Oireachtas na Gaeilge festival gets up and running this week, the programme today features historically rare and inspiring recordings of Fionán McColuim describing the very first Oireachtas, held in 1897, which he attended along with Pádraig Pearse, Eoin MacNeill and Douglas Hyde. Also, Piaras Béaslaí, Peadar ó hAnnracháin and Seán Tóibín describe their experiences at Oireachtaisí held from 1913-1916 when political issues were very much to the fore. Pádraig Óg Ó Conaire has amusing descriptions of the ordinary people who attended Oireachtas na Gaeilge from around 1911 on. Presented and Produced by Ian Lee from the RTÉ Sound Archive.

Tá seachtain mhór an Oireachtais buailte linn agus sa chlár inniu beidh cur síos fíor-stairiúil le cloisteáil againn ar an chéad Oireachtas, a tionóladh sa bhliain 1897, ó Fhionán MacColuim a bhí i láthair.  Bhí Pádraig MacPiarais, Eoin MacNéill agus Dubhghlas de hÍde i láthair ag an ócáid chéanna.  Chomh maith leis sin, beidh Peadar Ó hAnnracháin, Piaras Béaslaí agus Seán Tóibín ag trácht ar Oireachtaisí a raibh siad i láthair acu ó 1913-1916 nuair a bhí cúrsaí polaitiúla suaite go maith sa bhaile agus san Eoraip.  Fosta, beidh cuntas greannmhar ó Phádraig Óg Ó Conaire ar na gnáth-dhaoine a bhí i láthair ag Oireachtas na Gaeilge ón bhliain 1911 ar aghaidh.  Léiriú/Láithriú le hIan Lee ó Chartlann Fuaime RTÉ.