THERE was, literally, if not idiomatically, a baptism of fire for Teilifis na Gaeilge last night. Telling the tale of her engagement the Irish language, to children seated around a blazing fire, President Robinson, as is her wont, lit a candle. Outside, a fireworks display sent striations across the sky and Macnas danced around a bonfire.
Well, it was Hallowe'en, traditionally a night for pyrotechnics to puncture the darkness. The symbolism of defiant and celebratory beacons was appropriate: the Irish language has been a long time waiting for its own television station. So, opening night was, not surprisingly, all sweetness and light (mostly light). But the celebratory atmosphere won't last forever. Securing a niche in the media market will be a grind for TnaG.
Still, that's the future. Whether or not the new channel takes fire or fizzles out like a damp squib, time will tell. Certainly, in the cold light oil day, the task will be considerable, but not insurmountable. On the evidence of its debut, there is reason for hope. There is a freshness and enthusiasm about the presenters.
After the President's illuminating homily, we were given a guided too of TnaG's Connemara premises, to be shown, if I heard it right, "the highest television technology in the world".
Then to music with Liam O Maonlaoi before Michelle Smith, fish swimming in the background, proclaimed her support for the new venture.
Prof Farrel Corcoran the chariamn of the RTE Authority wished Teilifis na Gaeilge well. So too did representatives of BBC, Scottish and Welsh television. There was a Celtic solidarity about it all and it was impossible not to hope that TnaG will succeed.
Following Micheal O Muircheartaigh doing the voiceover for the new channel's first ever ad, John Bruton appeared in a classroom. He spoke in Irish and English - canuint Chontae na Midhe in both languages - and quite sensibly recognised that many people have horror stories to tell about (not) learning Irish in school.
Lumbering Teilifis na Gaeilge with the messianic role of saving the Irish language would be a load too heavy to bear. Many of the brutalised victims of the Peig generations are already lost. But, if the freshness of opening night can be maintained, there may yet be light at the end of the tunnel for Irish.
Draiocht, written by Gabriel Byrne and directed by Aine O'Connor, followed the opening party. It was wistful, a sort of Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha as gaeilge. It was engaging as anything on competing channels last night. But now the grind begins for Teilifis na Gaeilge, the fat is finally in the fire.