The last decade of the nineteenth
century and the beginning of the twentieth century following
the foundation of Connradh na Gaeilge by Douglas Hyde,
saw a reawakening of the national spirit. Achill was
to play it’s part in this movement. Some of the pioneers
of this organisation established Scoil Acla in 1910.
This was a Summer School for the teaching of Irish;
the teaching of Piping (Irish War Pipes) and the promotion
of music, dance, song, and culture generally. Wearing
of the national costume was encouraged. The founding
members of Scoil Acla were:
Mrs. Weddall
An Paorch
Claude Chevasse
Tomas O’ Raghallaigh
Colm O’Loughin
Donal O’Riordain
Darrell Figgis
Miss Eva O’Flaherty
Charlie Barrett
People came from all parts
of Ireland and this was surely the start of the Summer
School movement. The famous artist Paul Henry was introduced
to the people of Achill by Mrs. Weddall and Achill soon
became a haven for artists. Paul Henry was an active
member of Scoil Acla and in 1912 was the director of
the play ‘Casadh an t-Sugain’ (The Twisting Of The Rope)
by Douglas Hyde. This and other plays in the Scoil Acla
Hall which Mrs. Weddall built for the people of Achill.
While the language was then on the decline in Lower
Achill, it was still spoken by the older generation.
Those who spoke it and the musicians, particularly the
fiddlers were an integral part of Scoil Acla.
The school gradually went into decline and all that
remained was the very comprehensive Clar for 1914 and
fond memories of those times in the hearts and minds
of the older generation.
In 1985 a group of people decided to relaunch the school
incorporating all the aims of the original school. The
aims of the school are to:
-
Examine the
state of the language in the locality.
-
Bring traditional
music and set dancing to a high standard.
-
Organise seminars
on the historical, geological and archeological
feature of the locality.
-
Host poetry
readings.
-
Promote local
song and poetry writing.
-
Study the social
development of the locality.
-
Promote the
Arts in general.
The desire of the
organisation is for constructive and steady progress.
Scoil Acla was rekindled at 10.00am on Tuesday 6th
August 1985. Thirty six pupils enrolled in a course
of traditional Irish music at Dooagh School.
Well known music teacher, Paddy Ryan from Roscommon
began instruction with twelve young students on fiddles
which were promptly bought on the day from Tommy Robinson
of Belfast. The remainder were instructed on in tin
whistle and concert flute by John McNamara.
Those were the first tentative
steps on the road forward.
Achievements to date include:
-
Bringing
more than a hundred young musicians to a high
standard in traditional Irish music on all instruments.
-
Collection
and publication of a book of Achill poems and
songs 1986.
-
Exhibition
of works of famous artists who painted in Achill,
e.g. Paul Henry, Grace Henry, Alexander Williams,
Percy French, etc. (the list is endless).
-
Hosting of
poetry readings which has now developed into a
writers workshop; this work spear headed by John
F. Deane, Achill poet, and locally handled by
Dr Paddy Laineen.
Organisation
of set dancing workshops.
-
Lectures
on archeology, local history, sociology, genealogy,
etc.
Promotion
of the Irish language in particular “Gaelic Acla”
through it’s use at all events and specifically
Irish topics.
-
Launching
of family competition in traditional music under
the logo “Hata Acla”.
-
Organisation
of nature walks to historic and scenic sites.
Putting Achill
on the map by giving it a cultural focus.
-
Staging of
a most successful Mayo Fleadh Cheoil in 1991.
Scoil Acla
grows apace in being the oldest and most successful
of all Summer Schools, developing at a local level
and inviting the outside world to participate
and share in this unique island cultural experience.
See the 1914 brochure
|
