DonegalLive reporter Michelle Nic Pháidín steps aside to begin her latest chapter

A new chapter is beginning in the life of reporter Michelle Nic Pháidín who says she is very sad to be leaving her position in the Donegallive team.

Michelle began working in the Donegal Democrat in 2005 - previously she worked with the Farmers Journal, Foinse, Lá and Raidió na Gaeltachta in Dublin before returning home.

During her tenure with Lá, she worked as a Dáil reporter and spent many days in the gallery among friends from the national press: “I remember the first day I entered Teach Laigheann, security asked me where I was from and without thinking I replied Donegal not realising they meant what media organisation I was from. “They gave me a good grilling that day and I arrived late to a meeting with around five security tags pinned to me much to the amusement of the other reporters,” she said.

Michelle was well placed to join the Irish language newspaper team as she had worked voluntarily in the Irish language sector with Coiste Comhairleach na n-Óg and was also a member Coimisiún na Gaeltachta.

“I love the Irish language, I was raised in the Gaeltacht and it was my first language," she said. “There is such a rich culture affiliated with the Irish language that I really do feel charmed to have been raised in the Gaeltacht.

“Sean-nós singing is a great love of mine as well. I enjoy as listening to my childhood friends sing. We have really exceptional sean-nós singers in this area,” she said.

Michelle began singing during her time at national school and entered her first Fleadh alongside Noeleen Ní Cholla and Póilín Nic Aodh at that age of seven.

Michelle and her friends attended Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair and, once again, became immersed in the Irish language. She took part in Oireachtas na Gaeilge, Scór na nÓg, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, Féile Scoil Dramaíochta and many other competitions. She participated in drama, dialogue, debate and cabarets: “We had very good teachers at Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair.

“It was normally the same group of friends who took to the stage and participated in these competitions. Many of these went on to become teachers and I am sure their pupils will benefit greatly from such teachers who harbour such a love for their native language."

Her love of the language is only equalled by her love of writing. She got her first letter published in Blue Jeans magazine at the age of seven. She continued to write to English language magazines throughout her youth.

“I remember big parcels of gifts being delivered to the house in payment for writing letters and such for them,” she said.
Michelle has written three books, and is working on her fourth: “I have written two books about journalism and the changing climate within the industry - the books are crime novels and are fiction.

“My third book took a lot of work," she said. "I spent around 20 years working on it and it is a compilation of short stories. My fourth book is about journalism as well and will once again encompass the life of a journalist and the life associated with it."

The Gaoth Dobhair native spends a lot of time writing but when she gets free time she loves to walk: “I feel that I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. During my lunch hour I normally walk on Port Arthur beach and take photographs and video. I love to share the beauty of my area online.

She said: “However, there are things that do need to be improved and I do think that planning for houses in the area ought to be addressed. It is imperative that local people get to build in their own area on their own land.

“Houses are difficult to buy or rent at present. It is much the same throughout the country but Gaeltacht areas are special areas and we need to retain young people who will continue to speak the language. The Irish that is spoken in this area is extremely rich and I think that a special effort should be undertaken to preserve it.  It would be heartbreaking to lose any of these wonderful words or sayings."

The love of the Irish language has driven Michelle towards working, once again, in the sector. She will begin working as an Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga in the county on March 4.

“I am looking forward to this departure," she said. "A lot needs to be done to support, conserve and nurture the language - it can be done. I feel it is a good time to begin working in the area. People do love the language but language is more than a concept and it needs and deserves more than goodwill. It needs to live, thrive and be an integral part of society. We need to ensure its survival for future generations. We ought to be so proud to have our very own language.”