TG Lurgan

TG Lurgan is a musical project launched by Coláiste Lurgan, an independent summer school based in Connemara, a Gaeltacht, where the Irish language is the predominant spoken language. TG Lurgan releases interpretations as covers of many popular tunes with new lyrics in the Irish language.

The purpose of TG Lurgan is to help and support learners in acquiring the Irish language and their YouTube channel is a world leading minority language platform.

## Songs

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Early interpretations with a great following included "Some Nights" from the American indie pop band fun., "An Chóisir Rac", an Irish version of "Party Rock Anthem" by the American electronic duo LMFAO and "Lady Ga(eilge)", a medley of Lady Gaga songs.[citation needed]

TG Lurgan also released original compositions, such as "Damhsa Amhráin", "Céili ar an Trá", "An Buachaill Ceart", "Can Os Ard", "Seans Deirneach" and "An Bráisléid".[1]

The popularity of the project exploded in 2013 with their interpretation of "Wake Me Up" by the Swedish DJ Avicii. Stiofán Ó Fearail was a teacher in the Coláiste Lurgan programme and was lead vocalist for the hit. The song garnered over 8.2 million views by March 2023 on TG Lurgan's YouTube channel.[2] "Wake Me Up" in Irish earned TG Lurgan a live appearance on the popular RTÉ Irish talk show programme The Late Late Show.[3]

Several of TG Lurgan's interpretations have passed the 1 million views on YouTube: "Amhrán na gCupán", a cover of "Cups" ("When I'm Gone"),[4] "Síoraí Spraoi" (OMI's "Cheerleader"),[5] "Pompeii" from Bastille,[6] "Hello" from Adele,[7] "Some Nights" from fun[8] and "Despacito" from Luis Fonsi.[9]

In 2021, TG Lurgan worked with Wales' Urdd Gobaith Cymru to release a bilingual (Welsh and Irish) version of "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd, "Golau'n Dallu / Dallta ag na Solise". The project was hailed by First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford as a "symbol of the cultural ties that bind Ireland and Wales".[10]

## References

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1. ^ "College promotes online learning as Gaeilge". Irish Examiner. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
2. ^ TG Lurgan YouTube channel: Avicii Vs Lurgan - "Wake Me Up" as Gaeilge
3. ^ "Coláiste Lurgan/Seo Linn perform Wake Me Up on Late Late Show". YouTube. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
4. ^ TG Lurgan (3 July 2013). "Amhrán na gCupán - Cup Song in Irish - When I'm gone as Gaeilge". youtube.com. Retrieved 27 August 2021 - via YouTube.
5. ^ TG Lurgan (7 July 2015). "Síoraí Spraoi - "Cheerleader" le OMI as Gaeilge". youtube.com. Retrieved 27 August 2021 - via YouTube.
6. ^ TG Lurgan (22 July 2013). ""Pompeii" le Bastille as Gaeilge". youtube.com. Retrieved 27 August 2021 - via YouTube.
7. ^ TG Lurgan (16 September 2016). "Hello - le Adele as Gaeilge". youtube.com. Retrieved 27 August 2021 - via YouTube.
8. ^ TG Lurgan (10 August 2010). "BEO Lurgan - Some Nights cover le Fun as Gaeilge". youtube.com. Retrieved 27 August 2021 - via YouTube.
9. ^ TG Lurgan (1 July 2017). "Despacito – As Gaeilge". youtube.com. Retrieved 27 August 2021 - via YouTube.
10. ^ "Youth of Wales and Ireland create first Welsh-Irish music video". 7 January 2021.

## External links

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* TG Lurgan's channel on YouTube