Áislann Chill Chartha – Ionad Cultúrtha

Tá Cill Chartha suite sa Ghaeltacht, in Iar-Dheisceart Dhún na nGall agus tá an Ghaeilge, ceol, cultúr agus  traidisiúin na tíre mar chuid de shaol laethúil an phobail go fóill.

Is conásc é an focal Áislann ar na focail ‘Áis‘ agus ‘lann’  agus is í an aidhm atá ag an Áislann ná freastal a dhéanamh ar mhuintir an cheantair agus cuairteoirí chun na háite, le seirbhísí, eolas agus a léithéidí a chur ar fáil.

Bunaíodh an Áislann i 1992  nuair a d’aithin muinitr an cheantair go raibh easpa áiseanna ar fáil, ní amháin don phobal áitiúil ach do thurasóirí chomh maith. Ghlac said orthu féin réiteach a fháil ar an fhadhb seo, chun eacnamaíocht agus saol an cheantair a fheabhsú agus ag an am chéanna, cultúr agus oidhreacht na háite a chaomhnú.

Tá áiseanna éagsúla ar fáil, ina measc, ionad spóirt, ionad ríomhairí, leabharlann, bialann agus seomraí cruinnithe. I measc na seirbhísí a chuirtear ar fáil, tá ranganna Gaeilge, ranganna ríomhaireachta, ranganna cniotála agus fuála, ranganna ealaíne agus seirbhísí riaracháin.

Tá ról lárnach ag an Áislann sa cheantar. Feictear seo go soiléir ó líon na ndaoine a bhaineann úsáid agus tairbhe, ar bhonn rialta, as gach rud a sholáthraíonn an Áislann.

Tá dlúthbhaint ag an Áislann le tionscail an bhréidín agus na cniotála, atá ar siúl sna foirgnimh in aice láimhe agus a bhfuil clú agus cáil ar Chill Chartha mar gheall orthu.  Déanann foireann agus Bord Bainistíochta na hÁislainne gach iarracht na ceirdeanna áitiúla a chaomhnú, chomh maith leis na seantraidisiúin, ionas go mbeidh daoine ar an eolas faoi thábhacht na nithe seo sa cheantar.

Bíonn Lá Oidhreachta ar siúl gach bliain, agus baineann idir óg agus aosta, daoine áitiúla agus turasóirí, sult as na taispeántais éagsúla, an ceol traidisiúnta agus na  cainteanna  ar stair agus ar chultúr na háite. Coinnítear na traidisiúin seo beo don chéad ghlúin eile  dá bharr agus is ócáid í atá ag dul ó neart go neart gach bliain. Léiríonn seo uilig an rachairt atá ar obair na hÁislainne, ní amháin ó thaobh cultúir de ach ó ghnáth-imeachtaí laethúla an phobail i gcoitinne.

Ráiteas Mhisin na hÁislainne

Caighdeán ard seirbhísí oideachais, traenála agus caitheamh aimsire  a chur ar fáil do phobal Chill Chartha agus na ceantair maguaird agus ag an am chéanna, caomhnú agus forbairt a dhéanamh ar ár gcultúr, ár n-oidhreacht agus ár dteanga dúchais.

Áislann Chill Chartha-The Cill Chartha Cultural Centre

Cill Chartha is located in the Gaeltacht of Deisceart Tir Chonaill where the Irish language and traditions are still strong. The name Áislann is a word derived from combining two words from the Irish vocabulary of South West Donegal, Áiseanna (facilities) and Lann (building). The town of Cill Chartha and hinterland has a strong tradition of culture and artistic pursuits in the form of language, music, poetry, storytelling and painting and also it has a long association with the wool, tweed and craft industry. Being located along the seaboard of South West Donegal the area has always attracted specialist type visitors who needless to say made Cill Chartha their holiday destination on an annual if not on a biannual basis. It was this quest for information amidst an ambiance of culture, scenery and friendliness which has triggered their decision to return year after year. In fact some artists have uplifted roots from their urban homesteads to relocate in Cill Chartha which accounts for a high proportion of artists living in the area.

In 1992 the local community recognising the potential of the area decided that the development of tourism should be strategically planned so as to avoid ad hoc and reactionary projects which would detract rather than add value to the existing natural and social infrastructure. This community exercise recognised that certain amenities and facilities were absent not just from the point of view of catering for the visitors but also detected that such amenities were essential from the point of view of catering for the visitors but also detected that such amenities were essential for the strengthening of bonds between local community members via cultural/artistic pursuits and leisure activities.  

As a result the Áislann project evolved, this project has made a valuable contribution to the economic and cultural revival of the area, the centre is set amidst the existing Tweed and Yarn Enterprises. The Board with responsibility for the advancement of this project is committed to liaising with successful arts, culture and heritage projects within the Gaeltacht. 

Mission Statement of Áislann Chill Chartha

“To provide a high standard of educational, training and recreational amenities for the community of Kilcar and neighboring parishes while embracing and promoting Irish culture, heritage and language”

Objectives

• Promoting adult education
• To become the hub of all social, community and cultural activity in the locality
• The provision of recreational facilities
• The promotion of health awareness
• Aid in the preservation and documentation of traditional music recordings

Áislann Chill Chartha Board Members

• Anton Ó Lúdhóg Cllr
• Pádraig Mac Seáin
• Caomhain Ó Bearain
• Máire Ní Bheirn
• Muiris Ó hEigheartaigh
• Liam Ó hEigheartaigh
• Thomas Pringle TD
• Adhamhain MacCuinneagáin
• Maureen Carr
• John Mc Nulty
• Sinead Haughey