Uíbh Ráthach

Uíbh Ráthach is a beautiful and ancient area. This is the place where Clanna Mhíle, or the Mileisians, the first Gaels came shore according to the mythology as told in the Book of the Invasion of Ireland. Here was the historic centre of Corcu Dhuibhne, the tribe that extended to the northern peninsula which now bears its name. The area is rich in folklore – it is home to one of the most famous storytellers in Ireland, Seán Ó Conaill, agus Séamus Ó Duilearga, who established the Folklore Commission, had close tighs to the area. “The Book of Seán Ó Conaill” that he edited is now a textbook for folklore students. People of Uíbh Ráthach are talented singers as well. Songs by Tomás Rua Ó Súilleabháin from Cathair Dónall including “Amhrán na Leabhar” and “Maidin Bhog Álainn” as well as the lighthearted song from An Dromaid “Bó na Leathadhairce” have become famous all over Ireland.

The 1926 census returned 74% of Irish speakers in the Cahersiveen Rural District. Later, that is the peninsula of Uíbh Ráthach. However, the Gaeltacht of Uíbh Ráthach started shrinking rapidly and when the Gaeltacht boundaries were redrawn in 1956, the Uíbh Ráthach Gaeltacht was left in bits and pieces without a vilage and without an institution of postprimary education through Irish.

In 1992 a new cultural festival was established, Éigse na Brídeoige which inspired the community’s respect to the language in Uíbh Ráthach and created links with other Gaeltacht communities and with Irish speakers in general. The festival committee became the basis for Comhchoiste Ghaeltacht Uíbh Ráthaigh, which was founded in April 1998 and was representative of all the communities of the South Kerry Gaeltacht.