Noeleen Ní Cholla begins her tenure on Tory Island

Noeleen Ní Cholla is the new Irish Language Planning officer on Tory Island. She began her tenure on the island last week. 

A native of Carrick Mc Garvey, Gaoth Dobhair, Noeleen is an exceptional singer and has won both national and international accolades over the years. A daughter of Bernadette and Peadar Coll, Noeleen has three brothers, Michael, Rónán and Eoghain Pól and one sister, Deirdre. 

Noeleen says she is looking forward to her time on the island. Having traveled the world promoting the Irish language and culture she says she hopes her talents will go to good use on the Gaeltacht Island. 

Noeleen attended Scoil Adhamhnáin, an Lunniagh and Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair before attending universities in both Coleraine and Dublin. 

A national school teacher, Noeleen has taught in her local parish of Gaoth Dobhair and  neighbouring parishes as well as across the country. 

The role of a Language Planning Officer is to promote and revitalise the use of the Irish language within designated regions where Irish is the primary community language of the area. The Language Planning Officer's main objectives are to develop and implement language plans, collaborate with local communities and organisations, engage with schools and educational institutions, create language resources, and monitor and evaluate language planning initiatives - these tasks are designed to increase the use of Irish in everyday life, support language education, and ensure the sustainability of the Irish language within the Gaeltacht areas.

Noeleen’s CD An Mhaighdeán Mhara is named after a Tory song. Her CD has been bought across the world and is played regularly on radio stations locally and further afield: “I can incorporate my passion for sean-nós singing, especially tory island songs, traditional music, Gaeilge, history, culture and heritage  into my job. Tory island is rich with song, music and heritage and as far as I am concerned there is no better place to be.”  

During Noeleen’s first week she posted a stunning view from her office window looking out to sea.  

She said: “I am looking forward to my time on Tory Island. I play the fiddle, the flute, the tin whistle, enjoy traditional music, song and dance - so for me Tory Island exemplifies true tradition.”

Cultural tradition is nurtured from the cradle on Tory Island, Noeleen says. 

Noeleen has already spent a lot of time on the island singing and at events, she said: “It will be great to spend time working and living on Tory Island - one of the most stunning parts of Ireland.”

Noeleen will be working with Comharchumann Forbartha Thoraí.