The life and work of the late Gael Linn chairman and RTÉ Authority member, Mr Donall Ó Moráin, will be the focus of this year's Éigse na Brídeoige in Co Kerry.
This Éigse is the time of year when the people of Uíbh Ráthach or the Iveragh Peninsula celebrate the coming of spring and St Brigid's feast day.
The weekend celebration, which will be held on February 1st, 2nd and 3rd, has its origins in the mists of time, probably in the pre-Christian era. In this part of south west Kerry the festival is associated with Caherdaniel, Waterville, Ballinskelligs and Dromad.
On St Brigid's Eve groups go from house to house and from pub to pub with the "biddy", and on February 1st the "capall" is traditionally led around. The dancers and musicians remain in disguise throughout. The colourful spectacle probably has its roots in pagan fertility rites.
The modern Éigse is now in its 10th year and has remained true to the decision made at its inception not to accept sponsorship from companies such as Guinness or the other brewers. It does, however, accept support from Údarás na Gaeilge, other Irish-language organisations and Poetry Ireland. The festival welcomes non-Irish speakers, who can avail of a simultaneous translation service, and a good time is guaranteed for all, says Mr Padraig de Buis, one of the organisers.
The programme notes describe Mr Ó Moráin as a pioneer of the Irish language who "fully understood the challenges faced by rural areas and who did all in his power throughout his life to help such areas overcome these difficulties".
Born in Iveragh at the beginning of the last century, he was also a journalist and founded the Irish-language newspaper, Anois, in 1984. He died in January 2001.
On Friday evening, in Ballinskelligs, there will be a discussion on economic self-help for marginalised rural areas; on Saturday Mr Con Bushe of RTÉ will discuss "As we saw ourselves" before the Ó Moráin seminar; and on Sunday there will be an archaeological trip guided by Mr John Sheehan of UCC.