28. Bean An Tí : Brown Mountain Diamond

3mins HD stereo

Gairdín na mban / The Ladies Garden 1

2023

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Bean An Tí / Eimear Malone

Since 2021 Eimear Malone has been working at Brown Mountain Diamond, organising projects, hosting events, writing applications, running residencies and carrying out refurbishments to the facility. She has been directing progress, developing space and also gardening. The Ladies Garden is an example of a part of the property that Eimear reclaimed and transformed into a peaceful garden.

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Bean an tí (plural mná an tí) is an Irish phrase meaning "woman of the house". With the rise of Irish language education in the Gaeltacht, or Irish-speaking areas of Ireland, it has come to refer to a landlady who takes in students who wish to learn Irish in a family setting, providing lodging and meals as well as education. Students traveling to and living in the Gaeltacht and studying with Bean an Tí have become an important source of income in these mostly rural areas. On 17 September 2000 it was reported in The Sunday Mirror that Irish college sources said a small number of Mna Tí were then accommodating up to 30 students and earning up to £30,000 a year during peak holiday periods. On 20 February 2003, Fine Gael Gaeltacht spokesperson Fergus O'Dowd called for a reduction in the tax increases that Mna Tí faced at the time, saying that Mna Ti were the heroes and protectors of the Irish language and culture. Later that year Na Mná Tí were given total tax exemption under the Irish Language Learners’ Scheme. Under this scheme there is also a grant paid by the Department to Gaeltacht households that accommodate Irish language learners, which plays a huge role in the economic life of the Gaeltacht and is worth millions to the local economy.

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Until the 1950s on St. Brigid's day the Bean an Tí would pass the Brigid's cross around her body three times in front of the house. She would then encircle the house three times. Then the cross would be welcomed into the front door by the family and hung over the kitchen door, becoming the heart of the house.

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Brown Mountain Diamond