Fearghal Mag Uiginn
Tá dúil mhór ag Fearghal sa cheol Gaelach agus uair amháin ag Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann ar an Chabhán bhí sé dhá uair an chloig agus lá mall dá dhinnéar mar nach raibh sé ag iarraidh imeacht ón seisiún ceoil ina raibh siad! Tá scil aige phortaíocht béil agus déanann sé sin thall is abhus – as Gaeilge, ar ndóigh!
Rugadh agus tógadh é i mBaile Eachaidh, Contae Dhoire, agus bhí tionchar mór ag an tógáil chéanna ar a shaol.
Tá traidisiún láidir peile aige sa chlann. Bhí a mháthair, Margaret, ar na daoine a chuir club camógaíochta ‘Greenlough’ ar bun agus bhí an club 75 bliain ar an fhód i 2014.
Tá an cultúr agus an damhsa Gaelach go láidir sa teaghlach ag Fearghal fosta. Ní dhéanainn sé féin damhsa mar go raibh sé gafa ag an pheil Ghaelach go hóg. Ina cheantar dúchais atá a chroí agus a anam ar fad – “faoiseamh a gheobhadsa, seal beag gairid i measc mo dhaoine.”
Tá sé pósta ar Chlaire, ‘an duine is tuisceanaí ar bhuail mé léi roimhe’ a deir sé, agus tá cúigear páiste acu a tógadh le Gaeilge i nDoire Cholmcille – Aoife, Caoimhe, Eoghan, Eimhear agus Caolán. Sé agus Fiadh atá mar gharpháiste acu. Tá sé iontach buíoch as an chaidreamh sin bheith aige leo mar is iomaí duine nach raibh an seans sin acu, agus é buíoch as achan lá.
About Fearghal
Fearghal has a great love of Irish music. Once, he was two hours and a day late for his dinner as he couldn’t tear himself away from a session at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Cavan! He’s skilled at lilting and will give you a tune at the drop of a hat – in Irish, of course!
He was born and raised in Bellaghy, County Derry – an upbringing which had a profound influence on his life.
There’s a strong tradition of Gaelic football in the family. His mother, Margaret, was a founding member of Greenlough Camogie Club, which celebrated its 75th Anniversary in 2014.
Gaelic culture and dancing are also important in Fearghal’s household, although he doesn’t dance himself, as he got the football bug when he was very young.
His heart and soul are in his native area – “faoiseamh a gheobhadsa, seal beag gairid i measc mo dhaoine” (“I would find peace, for a short time amongst my people”).
He’s married to Claire, ‘the most understanding person I ever met’, and they raised five children through the Irish Language in Derry – Aoife, Caoimhe, Eoghan, Eimhear agus Caolán. Sé and Fiadh are their grandchildren. He’s grateful every day for the wonderful relationship he has with his family, as he knows there are many who never get that chance.