Ar an Domhnach 24 Lúnasa 2025, ar lá álainn grianmhar, shiúl níos mó ná 600 duine ó Dhún Garbhán trasna an chuan ar an lag trá is ísle isteach i nGaeltacht na nDéise. Tháinig siad ó chian agus ó chóngar chun a bheith páirteach san ócáid speisialta seo, ina measc slua olmhór ó Bhaile Átha Cliath, contaetha eile in Éirinn agus dreamanna beaga ó na Stáit Aontaithe, Sasana, An Eilbhéis agus an Fhrainc. Ach bhí pobal Ghaeltacht na nDéise féin agus muintir Dhún Garbhán agus Iarthar Phort Láirge lárnach ann chomh maith. Ag deireadh an tsiúlóid bhí deis ag daoine fanacht timpeall chun blaisín de chultúr agus teanga Ghaeltacht na nDéise a fháil thar cupán caife nó pionta ag Tigh an Cheoil. Bhí ceol den chéad scoth ó Na Fánaí, banna ceoil áitiúil, agus seirbhís i nGaeilge ar fáil. Bhíomar buíoch as na daoine ar fad le Gaeilge a bhí ag obair go deonach ar an lá, i nGaeltacht na nDéise agus i nDún Garbhán chun cinntiú go mbeadh an Ghaeilge le cloisteail agus go mbeadh deis ag daoine a gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid, dá mba mhian leo.
Comhpháirtaíocht é an tsiúlóid idir Comhlucht Forbartha na nDéise agus Coiste Sitiúrtha Shlí Naomh Déaglán le mór-thacaíocht ó Chlub na Leon i nDún Garbhán. Chuir Cumann Cnocadóirí Dhún Garbhán, Peaks Mountaineering Club i gCluain Meala, Knockmealdown Active, Súil Eile i gCloichín agus Iarthar Phort Láirge, agus a thuilleadh nach iad tacaíocht den chéad scoth ar fáil dúinn ar an lá.
Bhíomar thar ar bheith buíoch do Flahavans as ucht 300 pota leite próitéine a thabhairt saor in aisce dúinn agus do Aldi agus Supervalu i nDún Garbhán, Eurospar i nDún na Mainistreach agus Spar sa Rinn as ucht buidéil uisce a chur ar fáil saor in aisce do na siúlóirí. Rinne Seán Mac Craith agus foireann Tigh an Cheoil obar na gcapall ar an lá. Chuir Seán breaic blasta ó Bácús Hickeys i gCluain Meala ar fáil saor in aisce do na rannpháirtaíochta . Buíochas le Liam Suipéil agus gach duine a ghlac grianghraif den ócáid.
Tá sé i gceist an tairgead a bhí bailithe a bhronnadj ar Oispidéal Dhún Garbhán, Club na Leon, Dún Garbhán agus togra de chuig Shlí Naomh Déagláin ar 12 Meán Fómhair 2025 i mBaile na nGall, Gaeltacht na nDéise.
An Trasnú – The Cunnigar Crossing is a spectacular success!
An Trasnú – The Cunnigar Crossing 2025 took place on Sunday 24 th August in beautiful summer weather. The walk was run in aid of The Community Hospital in Dungarvan, the Dungarvan Lions Club and to help raise match funding for a St Declan’s Way’s project at St Declan’s Well, Toor, Clashmore, Co. Waterford. Following registration in the Dungarvan Sports Centre, the walkers listened to the St Declan’s Way Chairperson, Gráinne Moynihan as she explained the historical precedent for the Crossing in the days of horse and cart whereby those who could not afford the ferry from the Cunnigar to Abbeyside walked from the Cunnigar to Dungarvan across the Brickey river and back again. She thanked the teams of marshals supporting the walk including those from the Dungarvan Hillwalking Club, Peaks Mountaineering Club in Clonmel, Knockmealdown Active, St Declan’s Way, Súil Eile in Clogheen and West Waterford, Comhlucht Forbartha na nDéise, the Dungarvan Lions Club and those who volunteered independently.
Once the tide dropped to the right level, the lead team of marshals crossed the Brickey River with the walkers staying closely behind them. They circled the tip of the Cunnigar and proceeded to walk 6km around the oyster beds towards Baile na
nGall. The views of the sea, of Dungarvan, An Ghaeltacht and the Knockmealdown and Comeragh mountains were superb, with the marshals keeping everyone moving at a good pace to finish the walk before the arrival of the incoming tide. The walkers were greeted with outdoor traditional Irish music at Tigh an Cheoil on their arrival and many whiled away the afternoon with a welcome pint of Guinness in the summer sunshine.
The organizing team of St Declan’s Way and Comhlucht Forbartha na nDéise would like to thank everyone who helped support the event. The combined skills of the organising team and their marshals helped create a superb experience for all. The final tally on funds raised will follow in the weeks to come.
Photo credits: Liam Suipéil, Cahir Media and our marshals
