Date: 18 Jun 2025
Publication of book in Irish, English and Ulster Scots by young people from Donegal and Tyrone.
Donegal County Library Service are delighted to announce the publication of a new book inspired by the Strabane writer Flann O’Brien by students in schools in Donegal and Tyrone that features writing in Irish, English and Ulster Scots.
The book called Abhainn Burn River was developed in writing workshops by children from Castletown NS, Lifford NS, Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh and Strabane PS which took place in Lifford Library and Strabane Library. The workshops developed and facilitated by the poets Alan Millar and Dubhán Ó Longáin allowed the young people the opportunity to create stories and poems in three languages.
This is a unique project that celebrates the linguistic heritage of Donegal and Tyrone. As Dubhán Ó Longáin says “not only do three rivers meet here at Lifford and Strabane, so do three languages.” This is reflected in the title of the book. While Alan Millar acknowledges that Flann O’Brien was not known for Ulster Scots he believes “his extraordinary free-headed writing fits in well with the non-standardized magic of Scots.”
The book was celebrated at an event in Lifford Library with the Cathaoirleach of Lifford-Stranorlar MD Councillor Martin Harley on Tuesday 17th June. Councillor Harley praised the students on their work “and the great achievement of publishing a book at such a young age.”
A further celebration will take place in Strabane Library during the The Flann O’Brien Symposium which will take place in the town from the 25th June.
Copies of the book will be available to read and borrow in branches of Donegal County Library Service. The book can also be accessed online at this link:
https://issuu.com/donegalculture/docs/abhainn_-_burn_-_river
This project was funded by Creative Ireland and coordinated in partnership between Donegal County Library Service and Libraries NI.
For more information about Donegal County Library visit www.donegallibrary.ie or follow @DonegalCountyLibrary on Facebook and @DonegalLibrary on Twitter and Instagram.
