Campa Chormaic rolls into Ballinascreen

This summer in Ballinascreen, County Derry, the ideals of a Tyrone man were at the centre of a ground-breaking initiative. Inhale sharply, and then read on.

Campa Chormaic is a summer camp founded in the wake of the tragic death of Cormac McAnallen. In honour of Cormac, the camp was set up a year after his death in 2005 in his hometown of Eglish, County Tyrone. In 2009 the camp spread its wings and landed on the edge of the Mournes in Castlewellan, County Down on the grounds of St Malachy’s High School. This year, history was once again made when the camp rolled into Ballinascreen and through the gates of St Colm’s High School.

Incorporated into the camp are the ideals that Cormac adhered to so strongly throughout his life, the Irish language, the GAA, local history and folklore. As captain of the Tyrone football team he was an inspiration to so many people and the McAnallen family wanted to commemorate Cormac’s life with something that would give something to so many.

The camp carries a motto; “SULT”, meaning “enjoyment”. This acts as a mnemonic, each letter standing for an aspect that is central to Cormac’s life and to the camp. S is for Spórt (sport), U for Uchtach (Courage), L for Laochas (Heroism) and T for Teanga (language). All these aspects were on show from the moment the week began in Ballinascreen.

The classes kicked off early on the Monday morning following a quick welcome from Lorcan Ó Máirtín, the camp leader. The enthusiastic children were put into their classes and began to both enjoy and learn from the teachers. Throughout the first two classes there was plenty of Irish to be heard and learnt and in the third class, the whole camp gathered in the assembly hall for a taste of Irish music. The Ardrang (advanced class) led the rest of the camp in a rendition of “An Fathach Fir/The Giant of a Man” that they composed in honour of Cormac and of the camp.

One thing that was outstanding throughout the week was the attitude of the children. They were well-mannered, pleasant, helpful and ready to participate in all the activities. They took part willingly in all the sports and of course in their spoken Irish. It was fantastic to see the children on the field speaking and in some cases screaming for the ball in Irish. Every one of them put in a huge effort and after all the thanks were extended, Brendan McAnallen, father of the late Cormac, presented a prize to the girl and boy who made the most effort during the week, Paul Gunning and Bronagh Nic Giolúin.

It was clear that everyone enjoyed themselves during Campa Chormaic in Derry and the Camp hopes to return next year bigger and better. Cormac McAnallen would be immensely proud of everyone involved. Comhghairdeas le cách!