Spanish man makes game about local legend Cu Chulainn after falling in love with the Irish language

Francisco Blazquez, the creator of the Irish-language game ‘In Cu Chulainn’s Footsteps’, inset with his partner, Eva

A Spanish software expert has devised a computer game based on the adventures of local legend Cu Chulainn after falling in love with the Irish language.

Francisco Blazquez (46), who is from Madrid, first came to Ireland when he was 18 to learn English.

However, he was so taken with the Irish language that when he returned home he signed up for classes at the official language school in his native city.

The software consultant has been based in Ireland since 2010, and Francisco and his partner Eva Garcia are now set to launch their new game ‘In Cu Chulainn’s Footsteps’ on Thursday at Croke Park.

The game features music from Clannad, Kila and Sharon Shannon, and legendary broadcaster Micheal O Muircheartaigh also provides a voiceover for part of the game – in English and in Irish.

“The idea is to promote Irish,” said Francisco. “Our aim is to create a portal with many games.”

The game can be played in both Irish and English, swapping and mixing both languages as the player wishes.

“It is aimed for children aged between eight and 12, or perhaps slightly older. Players lead Cu Chulainn through a mysterious island, solving puzzles and riddles to find the way out of there,” said Francisco, who has formed his own company, Duineacu.

He said that along with the game, players will also find information related to Irish culture including music, literature, sports and legends. It is a 3D adventure played in the third person, driven by mouse clicks or taps on the screen.

A licence to play the game is bought online, he said.

Meanwhile, in the school version, teachers can very easily change the content, the voiceovers and the text.

For further information see: www.cuadventure.com

Source: Irish Independent

Stephen crowned FPM Accountants’ Summer Cycling League champion

Stephen Carrie of Cuchulainn Cycling Club

2013 saw a new format to the FPM Accountants Summer Cycling, with the traditional single race made up of six groups being split into two separate races, each comprising of three groups. However, despite the two separate races the overall winner would be decided by the rider with the most points come the end of the campaign and so it was that Stephen Carrie was crowned the 2013 champion.

This was a remarkable feat for the Ardee man, considering he only bought his first racing bike in March of this year. Less than a year ago Stephen’s father underwent hip surgery and cycling was recommended as a suitable form of therapy to aid his recovery. A dutiful son, Stephen oiled his old mountain bike and accompanied his dad on his short spins. He enjoyed these spins immensely and decided to invest in a proper road bike, then while out on a solo training ride encountered club secretary Karl Dolan. Like many a budding cyclist, he was inspired by Karl’s passion for the club and joined Cuchulainn a week before the 2013 league commenced in April of this year.

The first round of the league was his first time ever riding in a group, but he quickly found his feet and the results followed. Not willing to rest on his laurels Stephen progressed to group two within a month, where yet again results still came his way. At this stage of the league Bryan McCrystal, competing in the second league, was the runaway leader. In an intense period of training for the An Post Rás, Bryan was racing every Thursday night and more often than not winning. However like any league campaign it is consistency that wins and Stephen kept steadily picking up points with a steady flow of wins and podium placings.

When the final race was completed and the results tallied up Stephen had amassed 104 points, giving him a 20 point lead over Ralph Ginesi in second and McCrystal a further six points back in third. Aidan Leonard, Alan Bingham and Gary Shiels completed the top six. The top 6 comprised two from one league & four from the other, showing that the new format produced similar results to the old structure.

Information evening on new school

An artist’s impression of the new school, which will open in September 2014

An information evening on the new Cú Chulainn secondary school will take place in Wellington Hall on St Mary’s Road this Thursday May 30th at 7pm.

The new 1,000 place post-primary school is expected to open in September 2014 and will be located at the Marshes, Dundalk.

Enrolment for first year students starting in September 2014 will be launched at the information evening and enrolment forms will be available on the night.

For further information log on to www.cuchulainncc.ie