THE GEANSAÍ – Episode 1: Islands’ Call
TX: RTÉ One 19.30 19ú Deireadh Fomhair 2015
Once a year some of the smallest and most far flung communities in the country come together to compete, collaborate and support each other but most of all to celebrate being themselves – Islanders.
“Tá sé an speisíalta againne – ní bhíonn aon laethanta saoire agam ach amháin an deireadh seachtaine seo.. highlight of the year”. Danny O’Leary, Whiddy Island.
From north to south off the Wild Atlantic Way almost three thousand people continue to live on off-shore islands. Every September for the last 18 years islanders have organised an “All Island Football Tournament”. This year, Inis Turk, over 15km off the coast of Co. Mayo, with one of the most spectacular GAA pitches anywhere, played host to 9 islands, who sent men’s and women’s Gaelic Football teams with all their supporters. A very special island weekend tournament is a huge challenge for the host island. Inis Turk has a population of only about 50, so finding lodging for over 300 visitors, not to mention the rest of the neccessary logistics, is a feat in itself.
“What’s the point in panicking – no one gets anything done when you start panicking there’s loads of people here to help so – that’s what it is… right” Tina Kelly Heanue, Inishturk,
Island emigration sharpens the challenge for the competing islands to be able to field a team. Even at 11 a-side, substitutes are sometimes a unachievable luxury. Despite the difficulties, the Comórtas has become an important part of every island’s calendar. For months ahead of the tournament, up and down the coast, football and fitness training is squeezed into the busy summer island season. Men and women, wearing their own island’s Geansaí with pride, put in a huge effort, supported by their own island communities. Some even travel home from abroad to take part. Clare Islander Olof Gill is currently working in Brussels. He plays not only for his adopted city with Brussels Gaels in the European GAA Leagues but also stays loyal to his home Island team and has great hopes for Clare Island in this year’s tournament.
“Níl mise im’ chonaí ar an oileán faoi láthair ach tá dearcadh difriúil agat nuair gur oileánach thú. Tá tarraingt an oileáin an láidir agus tá an mothúcháin sin – an pride of place nó cibé – silim go bhfuil sé i bhfad níos láidire do oileánach ná do dhaoine eile.” Olof Gill, Clare Island
But the comórtas is more that just football. Bringing island communities together has had an impact – with islanders learning from each other, strengthening marginal communities.
Anois tagann muid le chéile ar oileán difríocht chuile bhliain agus bíonn níos mó ná peil ann …. bímíd ag spíodóireacht ar a chéíle! Nuair a théimse suas go hÁrann Mhóir nó amach go hOileán Chlíara nó síos ag Bere Island, is maith liom dul ag breathnú cén chaoi a mbíonn saol acu sin – cén difríocht a mbíonn ann idir saol Oileán Béara agus Oileán Árann…
Arthur Flaherty, Inis Mór.
“The Island tournament is a great way of meeting all the other islanders and getting to see their culture on the island and firstly and for most people it’s about the football and we’re here to win it.” Garry Moriarty, Bere Island
Reporter/ Presenter: PADRAIG O’DRISCOLL
Executive Producer & Director: KEVIN CUMMINS