Phádraig Ó Fearaíl

...de la Bray People:

Local man Pádraig Ó Fearaíl was honoured for his exceptional service to the Irish language when he was presented with a bronze sculpture on behalf of An Béal Binn recently.

The beautiful sculpture of a swallow by the renowned Colm Brennan was presented to Mr. Ó Fearaíl by Diarmuid Breathnawch to mark the group's appreciation of over 40 years contribution to Irish.

It was his inspiration which led to the establishment of An Béal Binn to begin with,' explained Dr. Róisín Elsafty.

We've had a presentation like that every year since the group was set up in 2002. We always award it someone who has done something exceptional in Irish.'

Mr. Ó Fearaíl is the proprietor of An Siopa Leabhar on the Albert Walk in Bray, and he has done much to champion the Irish language over the past 40 years. Musician John Spillane from Cork was the other special guest on the night.