Gradam RTÉ RnaG presented to Fr Seán Ó Gallchóir

Fr Seán Ó Gallchóir was presented with Gradam RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on Friday.

Regional Manager of RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh made the presentation to Fr Seán at the Doirí Beaga studio.

The Gradam RTÉ RnaG is presented on an annual basis to individuals or organisations who have contributed immensely to the Irish language and Gaeltacht regions.

Among those who participated in a special edition of the magazine programme Barrscéalta on Friday to honour Fr Seán was GAA President Elect, Jarlath Burns, 1992 All-Ireland winning captain Anthony Molloy, former All-Star footballer Kevin Cassidy, plus family and friends of Fr Seán.

GAA President Elect Jarlath Burns said Fr Seán Ó Gallachóir was a very worthy recipient of Gradam RTÉ RnaG. He paid tribute to the huge amount of work carried out by Fr Seán for the Association over a long number of years. 

RTÉ RnaG Regional Manager Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh said: “Fr Seán Ó Gallchóir has worked tirelessly for the community, for the Irish language and for the GAA, and continues to do so.  We are delighted to be in a position to acknowledge his achievements and his contribution to the Irish language, his community, and to the GAA.”

Gradam RTÉ RnaG 2023 was designed by the renowned sculptor Jarlath Daly.

In 2020, Fr Seán  published the eighth edition of the Book of Donegal GAA Facts.

From a 12-page booklet, listing the finals in the eight competitions the Co Board of the time ran in 1979, the book has become a hard-backed edition running well in excess of 300 pages.

The first Book of Donegal GAA Facts was published in 1985.

Fr Seán maintains his records in scrapbooks, which he diligently updates on a regular basis. His record keeping is a vital asset to Donegal’s Gaelic Games correspondents, for whom Fr Seán’s work is invaluable.

Fr Seán was ordained in June 1971 and spent almost all of his ministry in Donegal, serving in Falcarragh and Cnoc Fola before being stationed in Gort a’ Choirce from 1999.

In 2021, the Gaoth Dobhair native retired as Gort a’ Choirce parish priest after 51 years in the priesthood.

He was awarded the Gradam an Uachtaráin, the GAA’s President’s Award in 2021.