Join us for the 4th Annual #ParkrunAbú! De hÍde

 

  The fourth Annual #ParkrunAbú! De hÍde, held in memory of Douglas Hyde, will take place on Saturday, July 11th, from 9.15 am to 11 am.

  Organised by Roscommon’s registered branch of Conradh na Gaeilge; Craobh de hÍde in collaboration with Castlerea Parkrun this unique community event celebrates the Irish language, heritage and culture  in the outdoors and indoors  while bringing together people of all ages in a spirit of An Ghaeilge, culture and heritage.

  The morning begins at The Demesne, Castlerea at 9.30 am with the weekly Parkrun where everyone is welcome but especially participants who want to ‘give Irish a go’ and also  this year organisers are reaching out to walkers to join in the 5km walk. Following the event, Castlerea Brass Band will members of Feeney School of Dance, members of the community and participants to the Trinity Arts Centre, where Douglas was baptised and everyone is invited to enjoy hospitality, music, dance, storytelling and other cultural edutainment including a talk on the Oscar award winning film ‘Boys Town’ and a talk by the recently venerated Fr Flanagan by Pope Leo XIV.

 

  Members of Craobh de hÍde the local branch of  Conradh na Gaeilge extends their sincere gratitude to everyone whose support, generosity and collaboration have made this year’s event possible., including:

  • Emer Níc Labhraí, An tOireachtas
  • Susan Gaynor, Castlerea Parkrun and Castlerea Town Team
  • Helena Finneran- Park Run Director on the day and all the volunteers of Castlerea Parkrun
  • Terry McGowan and members of the Castlerea Traditional Irish Musicians Group
  • Richard Thompson and members of Castlerea Brass Band
  • Patricia Morris and members Comhaltas Ros Comáin
  • Úna Ní Chuinn: Comhairle Contae Ros Comáin
  • Chris McHugh, Editor of the Roscommon Herald
  • Paul Healy, Editor of The Roscommon People
  • Kate Burrows, West Country Willows
  • Adrianne Murphy, Ros FM and President of the Castlerea Branch of the ICA
  • Elizabeth Devine, Irish Country women’s Association (ICA)
  • Breege Callaghan, Chairperson of Trinity Arts Centre
  • Fidelma Croghan Fr. Flanagan Visitor Centre, Ballymoe. 
  • Eileen Ryan Principal & Yvonne Hanbury  of  Castlerea Community School .
  • Sagt Shane Lohan and members of An  Garda Síochana
  • Anthony Cahill  Supervalue
  • Lidl Castlerea
  • Anita Sharky  Happy Feet  Castlerea.
  • Dr Róisín Sheehy, Irish Language Officer, Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Oirdheiscirt.
  • Siobhán Feeney and members of the Feeney School of Dance
  • Eugene Conlon, Bagpiper
  • Tomás  Ó Muirí Cathaoirleach, Coiste Contae Ros Comáin 
  • GAA
  • Jim Ganley and Mary O’Connell  Members of County Roscommon Historical and Archaeological Society.
  • Dr Niall Brady Castles in Communities Archaeological Settlement Studies project.

 

Pictured is Richard Finan, custodian of medieval stronghold Rathra, Castlerea and treasurer of Craobh de hÍde, at South East Technological University (Waterford), with Ireland’s nineth President Dr Michael D Higgins, who recently was awarded the Mike Cooley Award 2026. Richard presented him with a book on Rathra, signed by the author Joe Fenwick, Chief Archaeological Field Technician at University of Galway. Also in photo is a member of the former president’s team. Craobh de hÍde was launched on Rathra after the first #ParkrunAbú! De hÍde took place, organised in collaboration with Russell Rose, former Castlerea Park Run Director on the 130th Anniversary of Conradh na Gaeilge.

  The organisers warmly extend a Ceád Míle Fáilte to  everyone—whether you are a parkrunner,  park Walker , Irish language enthusiast, musician, dancer, family, friend, guest or tourist to come along and be part of this special celebration of community, culture and the enduring legacy of Douglas Hyde. Douglas promoted Irish in the outdoors as Dr Liam Mathúna points out in a correspondence to Craobh de hÍde after a previous #ParkrunAbú! De hÍde.