Ceol agus Scéalaíocht do Pháistí Óga at Áras an Mhuilinn

Julie Anne de Brún travelled from Moycullen in Galway to entertain children ‘as Gaeilge’ as part of the fleadh celebrations this week.

The native Irish speaker held the first of two ‘Ceol agus Scéalaíocht do Pháistí Óga’ events on Tuesday morning in Áras an Mhuilinn.

“This is my second year coming to Mullingar. So I’m very lucky to be asked back,” said Julie Anne.

Last year was Julie Anne’s first time performing at a fleadh but she attended plenty as a child, when, she said, her voice was her instrument.

A primary teacher who specialises in additional needs, Julie Anne also works with student teachers and frequently appears at Irish music festivals all over Ireland.

She gives online classes to people around the world who want to learn more about their Irish heritage, and has an Instagram page promoting Irish-language children’s books.

She is passionate about igniting a love of “ceol agus an teanga” in little people.

“I’m a Colourstrings-trained primary teacher. That’s the method of music that I use in my classes so that children hear the music before they pick up an instrument; they use their inner ear to pick up the music and the rhythm.

“I’m also a firm advocate of using the Irish language with this, because it’s a great way to impart the language and ensure that it lives on,” said Julie Anne.

“I try to promote it [Gaeilge] in the most positive way and just bring the joy of the language to everybody. Some people have this fear of the language.”

Julie Anne has lots of advice for parents who would like to speak more Irish at home and foster a love of Irish in their children: “Get the whole family involved and make it something that is useful outside of the school, not just in the school.

“Going to bed, you can sing a lullaby together or you can read one of the Irish stories, and go through the different words, and it’s just building on what they know, and going back to your own Gaeilge.

“If you feel that you can’t do it, just go back, just try it. And it’s a cúpla focail gach lá, and it will all help.”

Julie says the annual fleadh is vital for keeping the Irish language and music alive. “What we’re doing now with the fleadh is preserving our culture, our heritage… and adding to it; every generation adds something more,” said Julie.

She is enjoying being back in Westmeath. “I love Mullingar. I have friends from Mullingar and I meet people from Mullingar the whole time, and they’re the most welcoming people; they’ve given us a céad míle fáilte.

“I will 100% recommend Mullingar town as a destination… it’s such a beautiful place,” said Julie Anne.

Julie Anne is on Instagram as @j_adebrun.