Scholarship fund and commemoration

Antoine Mac Giolla Bhríghde's passion in life was his heritage. He loved traditional music and was a singer and flute player, tutoring a local flute band and attending seisuns whenever he could. He was a fluent Irish speaker and encouraged all those he came into contact with to use as much Irish as they had and to learn whatever else they could. It was his belief that taking ownership of our native language and culture and celebrating them in everyday life was as important as armed struggle in the fight against Britain.

In celebration of this spirit, the Mac Giolla Bhríghde family has established a memorial scholarship fund in Antoine's memory. The fund will be used to provide scholarships for people of all ages to travel to the Gaeltacht to learn Irish and practice their language skills. Scholarships will be awarded based on enthusiasm and need, as opposed to a demonstration of knowledge. Full details of how to apply will be published in February.

The family has established the fund with a donation of £1,000 and will be running fundraising events in the near future to raise more funds to allow as many people as possible to benefit from the scholarships. Anyone wishing to contribute can also send donations to the fund at Ionad Poblachtach Lár Uladh, Gulladuff, County Derry.

• A commemoration will be held on Sunday 5 December at 10.45am at St Patrick's Church, Coolcalm, Desertmartin.