Eamon Ó Cuív to speak in honour of Baile Mhúirne doctor
Mr Ó Cuív, whose grandparents were natives of mid-Cork, will give a bilingual lecture on Saturday, September 10, at the third annual gathering in celebration of the life of the influential doctor, who had a remarkable and varied career as a GP, soldier, and business leader.
It was Mr Ó Cuív’s grandfather, Cork journalist Shán Ó Cuív — a contemporary of Dr Ó Loingsigh — who changed the family name from O’Keefe to the unusual use of the letter ‘v’ as part of a simplified Irish spelling system he helped to invent, ‘An Leitriú Shimplí’.
Mr Ó Cuív’s lecture takes place in the Ionad Cultúrtha an Dochtúir Ó Loingsigh, the Baile Mhúirne cultural centre which was renamed two years ago in honour of Dr Ó Loingsigh (1842-1913).
Ceiliúradh an Dochtúra Uí Loingsigh opens on September 10 with a sean-nós singing competition in recognition of the doctor’s promotion of Gaelic language and culture, in particular his role in the founding of a feis in Baile Mhúirne.
The Corn Cuimhneacháin Dhómhnaill Uí Loingsigh, which was for years presented as part of the annual Aonach Cheoil music fair in Baile Mhúirne, was won last year by Farran singer Máire Ní Chéileachair and presented by Joan Cronin, granddaughter of Dr Ó Loingsigh.
A second cup, the Corn Uí Fhlannagáin, which was last year won by Cill na Martra man Séan Ó Muimhneacháin will be presented for newly-composed songs. A business award, Gradam an Dochtúir Ó Loingsigh, celebrates entrepreneurial enterprise in the Múscraí Gaeltacht area.
Won last year by Máirín and Peadar Ó Lionáird of Baile Mhúirne preserves company Folláin, the award is an attempt by the organisers of the event to recognise and reward the spirit of Dr Ó Loingsigh in today’s local businesspeople.
Reidin Lynch of the organising committee said: “The committee hope that this pioneering spirit would be led by both existing businesses and young people who have come forward with start-up business ideas, combined with the fostering of a spirit of co-operation and expansion between both new and existing entrepreneurs, therefore assisting in the promotion of these business ventures both locally and nationally.”
See: drlynchballyvourney.ie/wordpress/
