Iceland, the Irish are coming!
The Blue Lagoon
By Shelley Marsden
BBC Northern Ireland is making a series about a gruelling trek acrossIrelandby Irish speakers.
Organiser Christy Evans said: “2012 will see the Eleventh International Festival of the Irish Language visitIceland. During our stay, there will be visits to volcanoes, glaciers, geysers and, hopefully, the Northern Lights.”
Irish speakers living inBritainandEuropehold the annual gathering in order to spread their native language outside the borders ofIreland.BBCNorthern Ireland are following the festival because they are specially interested in the ancient links betweenIrelandandIceland.
Richard Schofield, a fluent Irish speaker born and raised in St Albansin Englandis among those who will visit areas settled in Icelandby the Irish in the 8th century. “Long before the Vikings arrived, the Irish left their mark onIceland. Today, placenames like Patrekfjordur (‘Patrick’s Valley’) and Irskibrunnur (‘The Well of the Irish’) mark our presence in that other green Atlantic republic.”
The group undertaking the trek includes teachers, historians, writers, musicians and artists. On 14th Feb they will be officially welcomed by the Mayor of Reykjavik, followed by a hike to the mighty Gulfoss waterfall.
The following day there will be a hike on the Solheimajokull Glacier. There are two active volcanoes under the ice, and daily earthquakes in the area. In the evening will be a ‘Viking Banquet’ in the groups’ honour.
On 16th February the group will visit an Icelandic school and debate on minority languages. Then they will take a swim in the Blue Lagoon – hot volcanic lakes, before visiting the Saga Museum and finishing off the day with live Irish mujsic at The Duibliner bar in downtownReykjavik.
The BBC series will be called ‘Aistear na nGael (‘The Trek of the Irish’). Filming began in London before Christmas, with the main Icelandic filming beginning on 13th February.
