Community
TG Lurgan and Urdd unite for ninth collaboration in Breaking Barriers concert
Welsh and Irish youth come together to perform Fleetwood Mac classic
MEMBERS of Irish youth project TG Lurgan and Welsh organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru are joining forces for the ninth time to celebrate their shared Celtic heritage through music.
This week, around 400 young people from TG Lurgan and 31 from the Urdd are gathering at Coláiste Lurgan in Connemara for a week-long celebration of language and culture. The annual Féile gives participants the chance to perform popular songs in Irish and Welsh alongside original material. The finale on Friday (Aug 22) will feature a headline outdoor concert, including professional bands made up of TG Lurgan alumni.

The highlight of this year’s collaboration is a bilingual performance of Fleetwood Mac’s hit Dreams, sung in both Irish and Welsh. The partnership, which began during Covid-19, has already amassed millions of views on music and video platforms worldwide. Previous collaborations include a 2021 version of The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights, which gained over 100,000 views in its first month.
At the centre of the project is a shared mission to promote Welsh and Irish as vibrant, living languages and to give young people confidence to use them in everyday life. The initiative also supports the Ireland-Wales Shared Statement, signed in July by Tánaiste Simon Harris and Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan, which emphasises cultural exchange and minority language promotion.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Our Ireland-Wales Shared Statement has helped develop strong collaboration between Wales and Ireland, including in promoting and protecting our Celtic languages. One of the many things we have in common is how music is central to our national identities, so it’s wonderful to see young people from both nations coming together through the power of song. This is a vibrant example of the connection between our young people and languages and I’m sure the latest collaboration will be another huge success. Da iawn pawb.”
Mícheál Ó Foighil, Director of TG Lurgan, added: “The Lurgan Urdd project is of significant importance to us and we are delighted to continue to strengthen our partnership. This project is a symbol of the deep cultural ties between our two countries. It shows how we can learn from each other and emphasises the strength and increasing relevance of our languages, breaking down language barriers in an ever-changing physical and online world.”
Ceren Roberts, Director of International Projects at the Urdd, said: “In Wales, Cymraeg, the Welsh language, belongs to everyone, and as a national youth organisation our mission is to introduce the language in a contemporary way and empower new speakers. The Urdd’s international projects promote cultural exchange and highlight the importance of protecting minority languages. We know how important the Irish language is to the people of Ireland, so to continue this project is hugely exciting for us.”
The concert on Friday will be the last to take place before redevelopment works begin at the well-known Connemara venue over the next year.
Community
Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.
The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.
A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.
The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community
3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire
Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event
THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.
Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.












The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.
Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.
The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.
Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.
Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office
Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush
A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.
The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.
Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.
He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.
Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”
Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.
The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.
Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.
Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).
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