There are inextricable links between Fr Peadar Ó Laoghaire and Maynooth because, long before he became recognised as a language campaigner and literary pioneer during the Gaelic Revival period, he spent six years studying at St Patrick's College. Amongst his achievements, he wrote the first Irish-language novel entitled Séadna, which is rooted in Ireland's oral tradition and celebrates kindness, community and integrity in its battle of wills between an ordinary man and the devil himself. In order to commemorate one hundred years since the passing of Fr Peadar, both students and staff from the Irish-language community of Maynooth campus came together for this short film which retells the iconic story.
Ta dlúthnasc idir an tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire agus Maigh Nuad mar, i bhfad roimh dó aitheantas a bhaint amach mar fheachtasóir teanga agus ceannródaí liteartha le linn Athbheochan na Gaeilge, chaith sé sé bliana i mbun staidéir i gColáiste Phádraig. I measc a ghaiscí, scríobh sé an chéad úrscéal Gaeilge dar teideal Séadna, atá fréamhaithe i dtraidisiún béil na hÉireann agus a cheiliúrann cineáltas, muintearas agus ionracas lena chomhrac idir gnáthdhuine agus an diabhal é féin. Mar chomóradh ar chéad bliain ó cailleadh an tAthair Peadar, tháinig Gaeilgeoirí ar champas Mhá Nuad, idir mhic léinn agus baill foirne, le chéile don ghearrscannán seo ina n-athinsítear an scéal íocónach.