Gweedore hosts Oireachtas na Gaeilge the biggest festival of Irish culture on the island of Ireland.
Gaoth Dobhair in the Donegal Gaeltacht is the venue for this year's Oireachtas na Gaeilge from 24 October – 2 November.
Last held in Gweedore in 1977 the festival, aims is to promote every aspect of traditional culture of Ireland. It is already surpassing expectations with a packed schedule including music, drama, storytelling, concerts, dancing and singing.
The Oireachtas (meaning 'a gathering’ in Irish) has always nurtured and promoted the talents of young people, and all competitions have been well attended, including one where fiddler Seamus Mac Gibsún from County Derry is declared the winner in his category.
Most events are taking place in the local theatre, Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair, but scheduled and unscheduled music sessions in various locations around the village are also providing the best of entertainment.
Head of the local Oireachtas committee Máire Mhic Niallais explains that this week is the culmination of twelve months of hard work.
The community in Gaoth Dobhair as well as those further afield have stepped up to the challenge of catering for large numbers of visitors and pulled out all the stops to ensure the best of hospitality is being offered in terms of accommodation and food.
Travelling to this remote region on Ireland's northwest shore proved no barrier to the crowds coming from the equally remote Connemara, Cork and Kerry Gaeltachts, as well as those from Dublin.
Pleased with how the festival is going so far, Mhic Niallais believes that the Gaeltacht has something special to offer,
Bíonn atmasféar is dóigh liomsa i bhfad níos fearr ins an Gaeltacht Oireachtas ná i mBaile Átha Cliath.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 October 1980.
