by Liam Mulligan
Scoil Bhríde in Oakley Road has been celebrating its centenary this year. It was the first fully Gaelscoil in the country. Founded in St. Stephen’s Green in 1917, it later moved to Earlsfort Terrace and has been in Oakley Road since 1965. It has been one of the major schools in area ever since. Many older residents of the area attended the school in Earlsfort Terrace and remember the founder Louise Gavan Duffy.
Louise Gavan Duffy was born in France, daughter of the Young Irelander Charles Gavan Duffy and first came to Ireland for her father’s funeral in 1903. This was the first time she heard Irish. She was one of the earliest women graduates of UCD, a campaigner for votes for women and helped in the GPO in 1916, although she told Pearse that she thought the Rising was a mistake.
There have been many events organised by school and parents to mark the anniversary. The President, Michael D. Higgins, visited the school on the 6th of April, to recognise its unique and continuing contribution to education in Ireland.
A Ceiliúradh (celebration) was held in February in the Dining Hall of Trinity College with contributions from many with connections to the schools including members of the Hothouse Flowers, Celtic Women and the Cassidy Family. A similar concert was held in the school in May with contributions from even more artists with connections to the school.
Scoil Bhríde is going strong and looking forward to the next 100 years!
Tá Scoil Bhríde I mBóthar Feadha Chuileann ag comóradh céad bhliana a bunú. B’í an chéad scoil lán-gaelach sa tír í. Bunaithe I Faiche Stíofana i 1917, bhog sí go Ardán Port an Iarla tar éis tamall agus tá an scoil i mBóthar Feadha Chuileann ó 1965 I leith. Is ceann de na scoileanna is mó le rá sa ceantar í ó shoin i leith. Fhreastail a lán de na háitritheoirí níos sine ar an scoil in Ardán Port an Iarla agus is cuimhin leo an bunaitheoir, Lúise Gabhánach ní Dhufaigh.
Rugadh Lúise Gabhánach ní Dhufaigh sa Fhrainc, iníon le Charles Gavan Duffy, iarbhall de Éire Óg, agus tháinig sí go hÉirinn don chéad uair I 1903 do shochraid a hathair. B’e sin an chéad uair gur chuala sí Gaeilge. Bhí sí ar na céad mná a fuair gradam ón Coláiste Ollscoile, d’obair sí leis an feachtas ar son vótaí do mná agus chabhraigh sí in Ard-Oifig and Phoist 1916, cé go ndúirt sí leis an Piarsach gurb botún é an Éirí Amach.
Tá a lán imeachtaí eagraithe ag an scoil agus na tuismitheoirí chun an céad bliain a chomóradh. Thug an Uachtarán, Mícheál D. Ó hUigínn, cuairt ar an scoil ar an 6ú Aibreán ag tabhairt aitheantas don méid ar leith atá déanta, agus fós á dhéanamh, ag an scoil don oideachas in Éirinn.
I mí Feabhra, d’eagraíodh Ceiliúradh i bProinnteach Choláiste na Trionóide le páirteacht ó mhórchuid daoine le baint acu leis an scoil, idir baill de Hothouse Flowers, Celtic Women agus clann Uí Chasaide. D’eagraíodh Tóstal sa scoil i mí Bealtaine le tuilleadh ceoltóirí le baint acu leis an scoil.
Tá Scoil Bhríde ag dul ó neart go neart agus ag tnúth leis an céad bliain atá le teacht!