It was a night of memories. The sean nós singer, Seán Ó Sé, sang An Poc ar Buile. A golden jubilee dinner was enjoyed by the friends and founders of Gael Linn, when they gathered this week in the Shelbourne to celebrate its foundation 50 years ago.
Gael Linn, which was set up to foster and promote the Irish language, was praised by Éamon Ó Cuív TD, as the Irish language organisation, "whose every scheme from the begining was imbued with a pioneering, creative and imaginative drive".
Seán Ó Conghaile, chairman of Gael Linn, welcomed two special guests - Mairín Uí Mhoráin and Anna Brioscú who were there from the beginning. "Cuireann sé luacháir fé leith orm iad a fheiceáil. Beirt iad seo a bhfuil dluthcheangail le scéal Gael Linn ón tús. Ba mhaith liom fáilte an-speisialta a chuir rómhaibh."
Among those at the dinner was veteran broadcaster Seán Mac Réamoinn, who wrote the script for Mise Éire, the first feature film in Irish, which was made by Gael Linn in 1960. Antoine Ó Coileáin, chief executive of Gael Linn, and his wife, Mairéad Duffy, greeted guests, including, Prof Séamus Ó Buachalla, Riobard Mac Góráin, who pioneered the music and film work of Gael Linn and Brian Ó Baoill, who started Slógadh - the music competition for teenagers which has now been replaced by Siansa and Coirm- and Martina Ní Chéitinn and her husband, Frank Cronin, both from Baile an Sceilge in the Kerry Gaeltacht.
The dinner was the first event in a series of celebrations planned to mark Gael Linn's 50th year.