TG Lurgan
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=June 2020}}
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
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|date=June 2020}}
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".{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/features/humaninterest/college-promotes-online-learning-as-gaeilge-218725.html|title=College promotes online learning as Gaeilge|website=Irish Examiner|date=7 January 2013|accessdate=2017-09-08}}
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.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A6__HssHW8 TG Lurgan YouTube channel: Avicii Vs Lurgan - "Wake Me Up" as Gaeilge] "Wake Me Up" in Irish earned TG Lurgan a live appearance on the popular RTÉ Irish talk show programme The Late Late Show.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGT0CgHJOfE|title=Coláiste Lurgan/Seo Linn perform Wake Me Up on Late Late Show|website=YouTube|accessdate=2017-09-08}}
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"),{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz63M3v11nE|title=Amhrán na gCupán - Cup Song in Irish - When I'm gone as Gaeilge|website=youtube.com|author=TG Lurgan|date=3 July 2013|accessdate=27 August 2021|via=YouTube}} "Síoraí Spraoi" (OMI's "Cheerleader"),{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtAfUsEfIqE|title=Síoraí Spraoi - "Cheerleader" le OMI as Gaeilge|website=youtube.com|author=TG Lurgan|date=7 July 2015|accessdate=27 August 2021|via=YouTube}} "Pompeii" from Bastille,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLwE-_wrj6I|title="Pompeii" le Bastille as Gaeilge|website=youtube.com|author=TG Lurgan|date=22 July 2013|accessdate=27 August 2021|via=YouTube}} "Hello" from Adele,{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCjw8rXLfvw|title=Hello - le Adele as Gaeilge|website=youtube.com|author=TG Lurgan|date=16 September 2016|accessdate=27 August 2021|via=YouTube}} "Some Nights" from fun{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zaq87L2tac|title=BEO Lurgan - Some Nights cover le Fun as Gaeilge|website=youtube.com|author=TG Lurgan|date=10 August 2010|accessdate=27 August 2021|via=YouTube}} and "Despacito" from Luis Fonsi.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ7Idz7BciA|title=Despacito – As Gaeilge|website=youtube.com|author=TG Lurgan|date=1 July 2017|accessdate=27 August 2021|via=YouTube}}
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".{{Cite web|url=https://nation.cymru/culture/youth-of-wales-and-ireland-create-first-welsh-irish-music-video/|title=Youth of Wales and Ireland create first Welsh-Irish music video|date=7 January 2021}}
References
{{reflist}}