Today is Saint Gobnait's Day, patron saint of Dún Chaoin in Kerry, Baile Bhúirne in Cork and Inis Oírr, one of the Aran Islands, but who was she and what's her significance today?
Whilst each of these areas have their own customs and traditions around Gobnait and how they celebrate her on the 11th of February, she is said to have lived in the second part of the 6th century. She is said to have built a convent in Dún Chaoin, of which there are still remnants.
Mar chuid den chlár Chartlann Bhóthar na Léinsí, insíonn leanaí ó Scoil i gCúil Aodha agus i nDún Chaoin na scéalta áitiúla a bhaineann lena bpatrún. Luaitear sa chlár céanna go mbaineann an 11 Feabhra le Gobnait ag dul siar agus gur dócha go gceanglaíonn an lá le torthúlacht na tíre. Labhair Paddy Ó Maoileoin go mbíodh síbíní an pharóiste lán go béal ar an lá úd agus tabhairt ómóis do Ghobnait.
Seán Mac an tSíthigh's report shows young and old celebrating Naomh Ghobnait in Dún Chaoin in 2007.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
It is said that local priests didn't approve of the celebrations and revelry held for Saint Gobnait around Dún Chaoin but despite that, the locals continued honouring their patron Saint, as they saw fit.
Tháinig go leor Gobnait le chéile leis an Naomh a phlé agus a cheiliúradh ar An Saol Ó Dheas ar RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta inné, ina measc bhí Eilín Gobnait Ní Lionáird, Gobnait Uí Chonchúir, Gobnait Uí Shúilleabháin, Gobnait Ní Mhuineacháin agus Micheál Ó Críodáin.
The name Gobnait is not uncommon in Dún Chaoin, Baile Bhúirne and Inis Oírr and has been passed down from generation to generation.
Labhair Gobnait amháin faoin gcreideamh atá aici sa Naomh ina saol agus an tacaíocht a fuair sí uaithi nuair a bhí sí uaithi, dár léi. Tugann sí muintir na háite le chéile i measc an phobail, a deir Gobnait.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
