'Rath Cairn is a shining example'

The successful development of Ráth Cairn Gaeltacht as a vibrant community is a brilliant headline for the Irish nation, according to Séamus MacGabhann, editor of 'Ríocht na Midhe' and lecturer at NUI Maynooth. In a lecture at the festival marking the 75th anniversary of the foundation of Ráth Cairn, he said Meath was unique among the counties of Leinster in having a recognised Gaeltacht. In 1935, the original migrants left the bleak region of south Connemara to settle on 22-acre farms allocated by the Land Commission in the sparsely populated Ráth Cairn district near Athboy. This was a greenfield site with negligible government planning and without services, apart from a new national school. The newcomers showed their mettle by rapidly learning new modes of farming, including intensive tillage during the war years, before successfully adapting to milk production with the establishment of a creamery in Athboy in the 1950s. The dynamism of the little community was strikingly shown in the 1960s when Government recognition as a Gaeltacht was secured after intense pressure. The co-operative, Comharchumann Ráth Cairn, was then set up in 1973. Notable community achievements followed and land holdings were enlarged by the Land Commission, local industry commenced, and a community centre, the Áras Pobail, a shop and a chapel were built. The primary school was greatly enlarged and the impressive all-Irish second-level school, Colaiste Phobail Ráth Cairn, was founded. Meanwhile Ráth Cairn flourished as an Irish cultural dynamo. Irish college courses there now serve Meath and beyond. Courses are run also with NUI Maynooth and other universities. A splendid year-round programme of festivals and events caters for music, song, drama, dance and literature, greatly enriching the cultural life of Meath and of Ireland generally. "Ráth Cairn, after 75 years, is a shining example of the immense value of social capital, the capacity of a community to work cohesively and creatively for the common good and for the great benefit of the public at large. It thus offers a brilliant social and cultural blueprint which political and community leaders can study to advantage," said Mr MacGabhann.