Campa Chormaic
July 27, 2010Campa Chormaic is a summer camp founded in the wake of the tragic death of Cormac McAnallen. In honour of Cormac, the camp was set up a year after his death in 2005 in his hometown of Eglish, County Tyrone. In 2009 the camp spread its wings and landed on the edge of the Mournes in Castlewellan, County Down on the grounds of St Malachy's High School. This year, history was once again made when the camp rolled into Ballinascreen and through the gates of St Colm's High School.
Incorporated into the camp are the ideals that Cormac adhered to so strongly throughout his life, the Irish language, the GAA, local history and folklore. As captain of the Tyrone football team he was an inspiration to so many people and the McAnallen family wanted to commemorate Cormac's life with something that would give something to so many.
The camp carries a motto; "SULT", meaning "enjoyment". This acts as a mnemonic, each letter standing for an aspect that is central to Cormac's life and to the camp. S is for Spórt (sport), U for Uchtach (Courage), L for Laochas (Heroism) and T for Teanga (language). All these aspects were on show from the moment the week began in Ballinascreen.
The classes kicked off early on the Monday morning following a quick welcome from Lorcan Ó Máirtín, the camp leader. The enthusiastic children were put into their classes and began to both enjoy and learn from the teachers. Throughout the first two classes there was plenty of Irish to be heard and learnt and in the third class, the whole camp gathered in the assembly hall for a taste of Irish music. The Ardrang (advanced class) led the rest of the camp in a rendition of "An Fathach Fir/The Giant of a Man" that they composed in honour of Cormac and of the camp.
After a quick bite to eat at lunch, the students embarked on the sporting activities, and in true Derry style, there was no stopping them! There was a mixture of sports available, football, ladies' football, hurling and camogie, and it was uplifting to see the young people trying and enjoying sports that hey had never before experienced.
During the sport, the camp was extremely lucky to be able to bring in coaches and players of a high standard and they were great exponents of the seanfhocal (proverb) "Is fearr Gaeilge briste ná Béarla cliste/Little Irish is better than clever English", using what little Irish they had and setting a great example for the children. Campa Chormaic Chontae Dhoire would like to extend their thanks to Karen Kielt, Ceilinn Bradley, James Kielt, Kevin Kelly, Kevin Hinphey, Katie McAuley, Hugo Mac Oscair, Seán McNicholl and Emmet Stuart, who gave up their valuable free time to help them with the sports.
We also must thank H&A, who generously sponsored the camp and also Foras na Gaeilge, who made funding available. Thanks must go to the Derry County Board, Club Derry and Sperrin Bakery, and of course, St Colm's High School, who generously made their fantastic facilities available.
All this was not a result of an accident, and a great deal of effort was put in, especially on behalf of Cabrini Uí Lochlainn, to ensure that the children of County Derry had the opportunity to come to Campa Chormaic within the county itself.
One thing that was outstanding throughout the week was the attitude of the children. They were well-mannered, pleasant, helpful and ready to participate in all the activities. They took part willingly in all the sports and of course in their spoken Irish. It was fantastic to see the children on the field speaking and in some cases screaming for the ball in Irish. Every one of them put in a huge effort and after all the thanks were extended, Brendan McAnallen, father of the late Cormac, presented a prize to the girl and boy who made the most effort during the week, Paul Gunning and Bronagh Nic Giolúin.
It was clear that everyone enjoyed themselves during Campa Chormaic in Derry and the Camp hopes to return next year bigger and better. Cormac McAnallen would be immensely proud of everyone involved. Comhghairdeas le cách! Tweet
