Albert Fry

Albert Fry Image Name: Albert Fry Description: Albert Fry on 'Meitheal' (1973) Copyright: RTÉ Archives
Albert Fry Image Name: Albert Fry Description: Albert Fry Copyright: RTÉ Archives
Albert Fry Image Name: Albert Fry Description: Albert Fry Copyright: RTÉ Archives

D’imigh Albert Fry, duine de Ghaeil mhóra na hÉireann, ar shlí na fírinne i dtús an tsamhraidh, ach d’fhág sé oidhreacht luachmhar againn.  Iar-Uachtarán ar Chonradh na Gaeilge, chaith sé a shaol ag teagasc na Gaeilge i gCumann Chluain Ard i mBéal Feirste agus bhí sé lárnach in athbheochan na Gaeilge ó thuaidh.  Bhí ceangal mhór aige le Gaeltachtaí na tíre, go háirithe Rann na Feirste i dTír Chonaill.  Is beag Gael nach raibh cur amach acu ar a chuid amhrán, agus thaifead sé dhá cheirnín le Gael Linn, Maidin Luain Chincíse agus Thiar i dTír Chonaill.  D’imir sé peil do Chontae Aontroma chomh maith.  Sa chlár seo, rachaidh Damien Ó Dónaill siar fríd chartlann RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta le scéal Albert Fry a insint.

Albert Fry, a well-known and respected figure in the Irish-language community, died in the summer, leaving a lasting legacy.  A former president of Conradh na Gaeilge, he taught Irish in Cumann Chluain Ard in Belfast throughout his life and was central to the Irish-language revival in the North.  He had a strong connection with the Gaeltacht areas of the country, particularly Rann na Feirste in Donegal.  His songs were known and loved throughout the Irish-language communities, and he recorded two albums with Gael Linn, Maidin Luain Chincíse and Thiar i dTír Chonaill.  As well as all this, he also played football for Antrim.  In this programme today, Damien Ó Dónaill sifts through the RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta archives to bring us recordings of Albert that illustrate his life and work.