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Tomás Mac Ruairí R.I.P

Tomás Mac Ruairí, Iar-Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge ar shlí na fírinne

Tá Conradh na Gaeilge faoi bhrón mór agus nuacht inniu go bhfuil Tomás P.T. Mac Ruairí (1939–2023), Iar-Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge, agus ball de Choiste Gnó Chonradh na Gaeilge imithe ar Shlí na Fírinne. 

B’fhathach é Tomás i saol na Gaeilge agus i saol na hÉireann. Ó chéad-chláraigh sé mar bhall de Chonradh na Gaeilge i 1955, chaith sé tréimhsí fada éagsúla mar bhall ar Choiste Gnó agus ar Bhuanchoiste na hEagraíochta ó 1962 i leith. Bhunaigh sé Craobh Bhréanainn de Chonradh na Gaeilge i dTuaisceart Bhaile Átha Cliath agus bhí sé gníomhach san Ardchraobh agus ar Choiste Ceantair Bhaile Átha Cliath. Bhunaigh sé Coláiste Samhraidh faoi choimirce a chraoibhe i dTír an Fhia. Chaith sé seal mar Oifigeach Preasa agus mar Thimire leis an gConradh sna 1960í, tráth a rinne sé eagarthóireacht ar an iris Rosc agus ar chomhordaigh sé Comóradh 50 Bliain Chonradh na Gaeilge ar Éirí Amach na Cásca i 1966. Ba é Tomás a d’eagraigh an t-imeacht seolta in Uimhir 6 Sráid Fhearchair nuair a bhog an eagraíocht go dtí an teach sin i 1966. Toghadh mar Thánaiste i 1994 é agus bhí sé mar Uachtarán ar Chonradh na Gaeilge ó 1998 go 2003.

Taobh amuigh dá chuid oibre le Conradh na Gaeilge, chaith Tomás a shaol ag iriseoireacht leis an Irish Press, Inniu agus irisí eile. Bhí sé mar stiúrthóir ar an gComhlacht Chumarsáide Creagáin Teo, agus ar CCC Nuacht Teo. Bhí sé mar dhuine de bhunaitheoirí Gaelscoileanna Teo agus de Scoil Neasáin, áit ar fheidhmigh sé mar bhainisteoir deonach ó 1970 go 1974. Bhí spéis mhór aige sa chraoltóireacht, agus bhí sé mar Rúnaí ar Bhord Raidió na Life ó 2010 go 2023. Chaith sé tréimhsí éagsúla ar Bhord Sheachtain na Gaeilge, bhí sé mar Chathaoirleach ar Choiste Oireachtas na Gaeilge ó 1955 go 1996, mar Uachtarán ar Chomhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge ó 2004 go 2010, agus mar Cheannasaí na hÉireann ar Fhéile Idircheilteach Lorient ar feadh ceathrú chéid. Tá sé mar Chathaoirleach reatha ar An Siopa Leabhar ó 2017.

Déanann Conradh na Gaeilge comhbhrón lena bhean chéile, Síle, agus a chlann uilig.

Ag labhairt inniu, dúirt Paula Melvin, Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge:

“Is méala mór do chairde Chonradh na Gaeilge agus do phobal na teanga ar fad bás Thomáis Mac Ruairí. Déanann Conradh na Gaeilge comhbhrón lena mhuintir i mBaile Átha Cliath agus in Ard Mhacha, agus lena chuid cairde go léir. Tá fuinneamh ar leith tógtha aige i ngluaiseacht na teanga le Conradh na Gaeilge agus táimid ar fad faoi chomaoin aige as.”

Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasal. 

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Sad News.

It is with heavy hearts we share the sad news that our beloved mother, Joan McNiff Cass, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, surrounded by her family. We know how blessed we are to have had so much time to take in her beautiful smile, to hold her hand, and to tell her and show her how much we love her, over and over again. We take great comfort in knowing she has been reunited with our father, Donald T. Cass, her loving mother and father, her brothers Peter McNiff and Cyril McNiff, and her honorary brother, Peter J. Smith, as well as so many beloved family and friends who have gone before her. We are certain the dancing has already started.

 We want the Irish Dancing Community to know how much Joan loved Irish Dancing and loved each of you. She loved everyone who was a part of the Irish dancing family from her students through the years, parents, fellow teachers, and musicians. Irish Dancing was a significant part of her life since the time when she was a young person. It was weaved into the fabric of the McNiff family and something she bestowed upon us. Irish Dancing has allowed Joan to develop hundreds of treasured friendships through the years.

 Joan was a woman of grace, strength, and strong faith. On Saturday, with Joan, we watched the livestream of the World Competition Men Over 21. We marveled at the level of dancing and perfection of the competitors. Recently, an old friend commented, “Throughout her life, Joan had a lot on her plate, but she made it look effortless”. We can’t help but make the connection to what impressed Joan in a dancer - “effortless” was often the comment after a great dancer performed. Joan knew the hard work that went into anything that appeared effortless. She understood the disappointments that came in life as well. But she truly believed in God’s goodness and how important it is to get up each day, get dressed, look your best, put on a smile, pull your shoulders back and put your best foot forward.  

Arrangements to follow. All are Welcome. We would love to hear all the stories and memories from over the years as we celebrate her incredible life. It’s what Joan would love too.

 With Love – Anne, Joanie, Eileen, and Elizabeth

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CLRG office in Dublin

Due to Oireachtas na Cruinne 2023 being held in Montreal Canada the CLRG office in Dublin will be unmanned from Thursday 30th March - Tuesday April 11th. 

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CLRG Oireachtas

www.clrgoireachtas.com

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