Irish Independent to distribute Foinse, Ireland ’s biggest Irish language newspaperFoinse, Ireland’s biggest Irish language newspaper has today announced that it’s newly refreshed Foinse newspaper will be distributed free every Wednesday, starting 18 November with the Irish Independent, the largest selling national quality daily in Ireland.
Ireland’s biggest Irish language newspaper will now have a weekly circulation of 152,204 through the Irish Independent promoting and encouraging the Irish language and culture on a truly nationwide scale. The newly revitalised Irish language newspaper will bring a fresh and contemporary view of Ireland, the Irish language and culture to over 550,000 new readers both North and South of the Border. In its first edition this November, readers will be able to review contributions by Daithí Ó Sé, M.P Ó Conaola, Bláthnaid Ní Dhonnchadha, Gemma Ní Chionnaith, Hector Ó hEochagáin and David Gillick. Foinse will also feature seven pages of attractively presented learning tools and texts for all ages and levels of knowledge.
Leaving Certificate students will once again be able to draw on Foinse sa Rang articles as a vital resource in preparation for the Irish examinations while Foinse Óg is now providing an Irish educational resource for primary school students. Speaking on the announcement, Emer Ní Chéidigh, editor of Foinse, said, “This is truly a landmark day for the promotion of the Irish language. Not only is Foinse back in production but now through the established circulation of the Irish Independent, the Irish language will be brought into every household and family in Ireland.” Continuing, Emer Ní Chéidigh, said, “The new Foinse remains a stand alone publication and all editorial control continues to remain with the publication and company. We are delighted to form this new relationship with the Irish Independent and to leverage its distribution and resources. We are also delighted for the traditional Foinse readers, who have helped protect and nurture the Irish language and we hope that they enjoy our refreshed format.”
The publication which has been out of circulation since June had a previous circulation of 4,500. The newly refreshed Foinse publication will employ five full time employees and also utilise a network of correspondents, contributors and services and is a wholly privately funded company.
Irish Independent
14 Samhain 2009
www.independent.ie
Westport Heritage Day
‘Lá Oidhreachta Chathair na Mart’ takes place on Sunday August 8th from 2-5pm coinciding with the Westport Music Festival, bringing the weeks celebration to an entertaining and lively end.
The Heather Breeze Céilí Band will provide the music and entertainment this year. The street will be turned into a large céilí floor, so dust down and polish off your “Aon dó trí” in time for the Céilí Mór.
Traditional crafts will be demonstrated all day giving you a chance to catch a glimpse of our traditional styles of spinning, felting, basket making and knitting.
Visitors will also get a chance to taste the specialities that were common fadó such as homemade jams, chutneys, breads and treats.
Clew Bay Heritage Centre will offer guided historical walking tours throughout the day, taking you through the arches of time in Westport.
Lá Oidhreachta guarantees to be a trip down memory lane with plenty to do and see. Come along and don’t forget those dancing shoes!
Volunteers needed: Event Organisation
Are you interested in:
Culture&Heritage Events
Trades&CraftsDisplays&Demonstrations
Traditional Workshops
For more information contact eolas@gnomhaigheo.ie or 098 26555
An All-Ireland Gaeltacht football competition
An All-Ireland Gaeltacht football competition is taking place in Béal an Mhuirthead on the June Bank holiday weekend. This Gaelic football competition attracts teams & supporters from Gaeltacht regions across the country.
You and your business are a crucial factor in ensuring that Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta 2010 is a successful weekend for all in the Erris region. The attraction of domestic visitors is key to the growth of the Erris economy. Over 10,000 Gaeilgeoirí are expected to travel to Béal an Mhuirthead for the comórtas and this is your opportunity to show the other Gaeltacht areas what the Erris region has to offer.
Údarás na Gaeltachta, CLG Béal an Mhuirthead & Erris Chamber invite you, the businesses in Erris to use Irish in your advertising and promotional material for that weekend. Gnó Mhaigh Eo, a Mayo based company offer advice, support & translation services for businesses that are interested in using Irish in their business.
Gnó Mhaigh Eo are offering their translation services free of charge - whether it is a bilingual menu, signage, window displays, posters or brochures you require, we are happy to help you make Irish visible in your business.
Gairdín, Glas agus Gaeilge- An Flóta is Fearr i Maigh Eo
Gaeilge was visible in every St. Patricks Day parade in Mayo this year due to ‘An Flóta is Fearr’, an award for the best bilingual float. Organised in conjunction with Ballina, Castlebar, Charlestown, Claremorris, Swinford and Westport Chambers of Commerce and Kiltimagh IRD and sponsored by Gnó Mhaigh Eo. The winning entry from each parade won €250 and was entered in a county wide competition sponsored by Midwest Radio.
Anna Ní Chárthaigh from Gnó Mhaigh Eo said “it was brilliant to see so many creative Irish floats in the parades throughout Mayo. The aim of this project was to create a bilingual image throughout Mayo on St. Patricks Day.”
The bilingual floats added another cultural dimension to Lá Fhéile Pádraig and the bilingual entries ranged from Pride of Place, Smarter Travel, Movie Magic and a Community Working Together. The winners from each participating parades were: Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport, Gairdín Glas, Castlebar, St. Patricks National School, Charlestown, Gaelscoil Uileog de Burca, Claremorris, Muire & Treasa National School Swinford, Bohola National School, Kiltimagh. and Breaffy National School, Ballina.
And the County winner of ‘An Flóta is fearr’ was recently announced on Tommy Marren’s show on Midwest Radio. Gairdín Glas from Castlebar took this years prize. Tom Ó Toole from Castlebar is a local landscape gardener. He created a very interesting , peaceful garden. His design used local Ballintubber stone. Irish was clearly to be seen on Tom’s float as phrases such as “Bígí Glas” and “Crann sa Ghairdín, O2 san aer’. Tom also played traditional music and this added to the atmosphere on the day.
Tom Ó Toole was delighted and thrilled at being announced as the County Winner of “An Flóta is Fearr”. He said “it was a fantastic opportunity for businesses to use Irish, our native language in their business. Following on he stated: “There’s nothing better than to win a prize for something you really believe in and you have a passion for, for me it’s Gardens, Green & Gaeilge.”
Use your Cúpla Focal
Use your Cúpla Focal online this St. Patrick’s Day
Gnó Mhaigh Eo in conjunction with Mayo County Council are encouraging businesses and individuals throughout Mayo to take part in the global online celebration that is ‘Lá na Gaeilge ar Líne’ as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge this year. Lá na Gaeilge ar Líne’ will take place on St. Patrick’s Day and businesses throughout Mayo get a chance to show off their ‘cúpla focal’ in their online correspondence that day.
There’s no limit on the amount of Irish that you can use, be it in your emails, facebook, twitter, blogs or any other online material. A simple few Irish words at the beginning and end of each message will suffice.
The creators of ‘Lá na Gaeilge ar líne’ have several ways of monitoring the amount of Irish used on the day and all details about the initiative can be found on www.lnag.org or from Gnó Mhaigh Eo. ‘Lá na Gaeilge also have a facebook page (Lnag Lá Na Gaeilge) and facebook group (http://tinyurl.com/ybb8jg3 which you can join or “make friends” with Gaeilge Mhaigh Eo - the Facebook page for Irish speakers and learners in Mayo or follow GaeilgeMhaighEo on Twitter.
“We would also encourage businesses to use some Irish on their websites for Seachtain na Gaeilge and or St.Patricks Day. This can be a few words on their homepage or a simple ‘Lá Fhéile Pádraig Shona duit!’(Happy St. Patrick’s Day).Gnó Mhaigh Eo are more than happy to help businesses incorporate the Irish language into their online material and will offer every assistance we can”, commented Dianne Seoighe, Gnó Mhaigh Eo’s Translation Manager. Oonagh Kelleher, Irish Language Officer with Mayo County Counil added “This is a great opportunity for people who wouldn’t normally speak Irish to use their cúpla focal online”
Gnó Mhaigh Eo’s broad range of services includes advice, support and translation services for businesses that are interested in using the Irish language in their business.
Gnó Mhaigh Eo and Oifig na Gaeilge Mhaigh Eo have put together a few common Irish Greetings/Farewells which businesses and anyone else who wishes can use on the day. If you’d like to receive your copy of this list just email gaeilge@mayococo.ie or eolas@gnomhaigheo.ie or call 09826555.
So grab this chance and show off your cúpla focal this St. Patrick’s Day.
Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge (Business through Irish Award)
This award recognises businesses that use the Irish language as a tool for business or as a method in their marketing / communications to enhance their competitive advantage. This award is open to all businesses located in County Mayo.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 25th September. Information on all the Business awards is available from all the Mayo Chamber offices or from Gnó Mhaigh Eo.
This year the Gnó le Gaeilge Award is sponsored by Gnó Mhaigh Eo in partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 – Dréacht-Scéim á hUllmhú ag Údaráis Áitiúla Mhaigh Eo.
Tá sé i gceist ag Údaráis Áitiúla Mhaigh Eo scéim nua don tréimhse 2010-2013 a dhréachtadh de réir Alt 11 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003. Is é bun-chuspóir an Achta ná a chinntiú go mbeadh fáil níos mó ar sheirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge agus go mbeadh siad ar chaighdeán níos airde.
Tá aighneachtaí maidir le hullmhú na dréacht-scéime á lorg ag Údaráis Áitiúla Mhaigh Eo anois ó aon pháirtithe leasmhara. Ba chóir nach rachaidh na haighneachtaí sin thar 4,000 focal (c.8 leathanach). Ba chóir freisin, go hinmhianaithe, aighneachtaí, a bheidh ar fáil go poiblí ar láithreán gréasáin www.mayococo.ie, a sheoladh isteach go leictreonach chuig gaeilge@mayococo.ie.
Ina ionad sin is féidir iad a sheoladh leis an bpost chuig:
An tOifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge
Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo
Áras an Chontae
Caisleán an Bharraigh
Co. Mhaigh Eo
Tá eolas maidir le mandáid agus an ról/na seirbhísí arna soláthar don phobal ag Údaráis Áitiúla Mhaigh Eo ar fáil ar www.mayococo.ie.
Is é an dáta deireanach d’aighneachtaí a bheith faighte ná 5.00 i.n., Dé Luain 31ú Lúnasa.
Tá tuilleadh eolais faoin Acht ar fáil ar láithreán gréasáin na Roinne Gnóthaí Pobail, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta www.pobail.ie nó ar iarratas trí ríomhphoist chuig achtteanga@pobail.ie.
Graceful pirate sets off on new musical voyage
A new traditional music show based on the real-life story of the legendary Irish pirate chieftain, Grace O’ Malley or Gráinne Mhaol will set sail on her maiden voyage from Westport House this week. Pirate, chieftain, lover and mother in 16th century Ireland Gráinne Mhaol was one of the last Irish clan leaders to resist the English conquest of Gaelic Ireland
‘The Legend of Gráinne Mhaol’ debuts in her home town of Westport, Co. Mayo on Wednesday July 1st and runs at the Castlecourt Hotel for a nine week spell every Wednesday evening during July and August.
This wonderful celebration of Irish music, song and dance is an inspiring epic, reliving the journey of the Irish legend Gráinne Mhaol throughout history. The show is full of energy and enthusiasm and hopes to capture the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures.
‘The Legend of Gráinne Mhaol’ contains a wealth of talented musicians and dancers from all over the west. Lord of the Dance fiddle player Cora Smyth headlines the show with You’re a Star finalist James Kilbane, Latino sensation Pollyanna Guedes, All-Ireland champion box player Darragh Healy and Ireland’s most gifted and best know Sean Nós Dancer Brian Cunningham all on board for the voyage.
The show guarantees to keep audiences of all ages gripped from start to finish as it blends the old and the new; the contemporary and the ancient, the Sean Nós dancing against modern step dancing. The show is bursting with raw energy and is set to thrill audiences during the summer months on its maiden voyage into Westport.
‘The Legend of Gráinne Mhaol’ is an incredible, unique, entertainment show that combines Irish dances with the passionate Latino rhythms of Tango and Salsa in a performance of strength and passion.
Tickets for the show cost €20 and are available from the Castlecourt Hotel at (098) 55088
European Dimension To Conradh’s Campaign
Conradh na Gaeilge will be informing young people of their language rights at home and in Europe and of the benefits of language learning as part of their Glac Leis awareness campaign, with help from the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Communicating Europe Initiative.
Conradh na Gaeilge will be taking their campaign roadshow to Irish colleges across the country again this year to get college cinnirí, or prefects, involved in motivational Glac Leis workshops and to tell all the students about the advantages of having Irish as an official working language at a European level, the services they are entitled to receive through Irish from public bodies at home in Ireland under the Official Languages Act of 2003, and of the job opportunities for them in the future in Ireland and in Europe.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is supporting the Conradh’s Glac Leis campaign which will explain the European Union to the Irish people, improve the quality of communication between the Union and its citizens, and celebrate the connection Ireland enjoys with Europe.
Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa, President of Conradh na Gaeilge said: “The Conradh believes it is vital that we encourage and enable the Irish-language community, especially young Irish speakers, to always to ask for service through Irish from state bodies, public companies and European institutes.” “There are few areas of Irish life which have not been influenced by the European Union in recent years, and the Irish language has been among those benefitting from the European connection; the Conradh is now informing the Irish-speaking community of the advantages and opportunities associated with the language, in Europe and here at home, with the language-rights’ campaign Glac Leis,” he said.
Julian de Spáinn, the Conradh’s General Secretary said: “As well as promoting awareness about the European Union, and explaining what influence it has played on the Irish language and on everyday life in Ireland through our Glac Leis campaign, it is important to impress upon the language community that there is always support available to them to use Irish at home and abroad in Europe.”
Conradh na Gaeilge is advising people to assume that services are available through Irish and in doing so, show the need for more services in Irish. Conradh na Gaeilge also provides a support service to people who experience problems getting services through Irish, and you can contact the Head Office by sending an email to glacleis@cnag.ie or by calling on +353 (0)1 4757401.
www.gaelport.com
22 June 2009
County Mayo Placenames
Beidh Fiachra Mac Gabhann, fear a bhfuil go leor taighde déanta aige ar logainmneacha Mhaigh Eo, ag tabhairt caint ar logainmneacha na leithinse, logainmneacha cheantar Iorrais agus logainmneacha Chontae Mhaigh Eo, ar an Luan 15 Meitheamh i dTuras Siar, An Cartúr, ag 8pm.
Tá fáilte curtha roimh chách. Tuilleadh eolais ó Turas Siar: T 097 85011 R: turas.siar@yahoo.ie
Foinse
14 Meitheamh 2009
Survey on Attitudes to An Fáinne
An Fáinne symbolizes your link to the Irish language. An Fáinne is worn to show that you are able to and are willing to speak Irish.
The Silver Fáinne is suitable for those who have a basic ability in Irish. The Gold Fáinne indicates that you are a fluent Irish speaker. The ‘Cúpla Focal’ badge is available to those with a small amount of Irish who are proud of the cúpla focal they have.
Although sales of An Fáinne have seen a marked increase in recent years, at a co-operation seminar between Irish language organisations recently, there was discussion on whether there was a need for a new emblem, which would be perceived as modern and attractive by Irish language speakers.
Here at An Chomhdháil, we often hear tales of how people have met and An Fáinne sparked a conversation between them, and without An Fáinne they would not have known that the other person spoke Irish. We often hear from people who work in the services industry, that An Fáinne adds to the service which they provide, and allows people to be comfortable in speaking Irish to them.
To understand the public’s opinion of An Fáinne as well as some of the connotations and perceptions surrounding it, we are asking the public to complete a short questionnaire. We often hear tales of how Irish speakers meet though English, and that they don’t realise each other speak Irish for some time. If you get to know somebody through one language, it can often be difficult then to switch languages at a later date. We would like to get your opinion, as to any other methods available for Irish speakers to recognise others who speak Irish, so they will get to know each other through Irish from the start.
A short questionnaire is available here , to assess your opinions of An Fáinne, or other Irish language emblems.
www.gaelport.com
22 June 2009
Ireland’s first bilingual business news service launched
Ireland’s first bilingual business news website www.Insideireland.ie , was officially launched in Foras na Gaeilge’s offices in Dublin today. The news service provides the latest business stories in English and Irish.
The informative and easy to navigate news site covers a growing selection of business topics including Finance, Investment and Employment, ICT and Agri-Business and also has sections devoted to Music, Sport, Health, Food and Fashion.
“We believe that this is a perfect time to launch a new and innovative website that will become a major force in Irish journalism as more and more people get their news from the internet ,” Editor Colm Ó Broin said.
“We publish stories in Irish as the language is increasingly used across a wide range of professions and industries. There are a diverse range of ambitious businesses and business people utilising the Irish language through their communications and practices on a regular basis.
“We also cover business issues in Northern Ireland and reflect the increasing importance of the All-Island economy.
“We’ve had great feedback from readers so far and plan to expand the site and our team of writers over the coming months due to the huge potential this site has,” said Ó Broin.
Irish Secretary of the National Union of Journalists Séamus Dooley welcomed the site as “a new and exciting venture.”
“The media landscape is changing dramatically and it is extremely encouraging to welcome a new initiative at a time when so much of the news relating to the media, at local, national and international level, is negative,” he said.
Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh, CEO of Foras na Gaeilge, official language partner of Insideireland.ie, continued, “Foras na Gaeilge is delighted to be involved in the development and availability of Insideireland.ie as the first ever business-focused news website to be available in the language choice of either English or Irish.
“This innovative bilingual approach is particularly important in an era of increasing recognition and use of Irish throughout all sections of society, facilitating not only the aims of The Official Languages Act, but also the linguistic preference of a rising generation of business people that can speak Irish.”
Speaking at the event Eamonn Fallon of Daft.ie said “Across the world, consumers are dropping print media in favour of the internet to catch up on their daily news. Inside Ireland are the first publisher in Ireland to stop the printing presses and move to online-only publication and for this they deserve recognition.”
www.gaelport.com
22 June 2009
Request for Submissions: Official Languages Act 2003
Preparation of a draft scheme by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment propose to draft a scheme in accordance with Section 11 of the Official Languages Act, 2003. The primary objective of the Act is to ensure better availability and a higher standard of public services through Irish.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment now wish to invite submissions in relation to the preparation of the draft scheme from any interested parties.
Ideally submissions, which will be made available on the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment website, should be forwarded electronically to: customerservice@entemp.ie
Alternatively they may be posted to:
Information Resource Unit,
Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment,
23 Kildare Street,
Dublin 2.
The latest date for receipt of submissions is Tuesday 30 June 2009.
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Further information in relation to the Act is available on the website of the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
www.gaelport.com
22 June 2009
€25,000 for Book of the Year
Bronnfar Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin, gradam i gcuimhne ar iarRúnaí an Oireachtais agus Ard-Rúnaí Chonradh na Gaeilge, Donncha Ó Súilleabháin, ar bhuaiteoir Leabhar na Bliana, mar chuid de Chomórtas Litríochta an Oireachtais. Chomh maith le sin bronnfar €10,000 ar an bhfoilsitheoir agus €5,000 ar an údar.
I gcás an chomórtais do Leabhar na Bliana do dhaoine óga bronnfar Gradam Reics Carlo ar an mbuaiteoir agus €7,000 ar an bhfoilsitheoir agus €3,000 ar an údar. Is iad na foilsitheoirí féin a chaithfidh iarratas a dhéanamh ar na comórtais nua, bunaithe ar na leabhair a d’fhoilsigh siad sa bhliain 2 Iúil 2008 – 1 Iúil 2009. Déanfar gearrliosta ansin, bunaithe ar na nithe seo leanas: Fiúntas an ábhair, dearadh an leabhair, leagan amach an ábhair ar na leathanaigh, caighdeán na clódóireachta agus an chaoi ar fhreastail an foilseachán ar riachtanais léitheoireachta an phobail.
Fógrófar an gearrliosta ag tús mhí Mheán Fómhair agus bronnfar na duaiseanna le linn Fhéile an Oireachtais i Leitir Ceanainn.Anuraidh bronnadh duais Ghradam Uí Shúilleabháin ar an leabhar An Cléireach le Darach Ó Scolaí, foilsithe ag an Leabhar breac agus bronnadh an duais Gradam Reics Carlo ar an leabhar An Phleist Mhór le Susan Edwards agus Ré Ó Laighléis agus foilsithe ag Móinín Teo.
www.galwayadvertiser.ie
Glór na nGael announces criteria for Duais Cholmcille
Glór na nGael has announced the criteria for Duais Cholmcille, the new prize that the national competition is offering to those involved in developing links between Irish speakers in Ireland and Gàidhlig speakers in Scotland.
Colmcille is sponsoring the new prize. It was established in 1997 to promote cultural and linguistic links between the two language communities.
The aim of Duais Colmcille is to give acknowledgment to voluntary work that promotes links between Gaelic-speakers and the Gaelic-speaking communities of Ireland and Scotland.
Both Colmcille itself and Glór na nGael hope that it will encourage further learning opportunities on both sides of the Sea of Moyle.
Entrants to the competition will need to satisfy the following requirements:
• All entries must be based on the link between the Gaelic speaking communities in Scotland and Ireland.
• Entries must encourage contact between Irish speakers and Gàidhlig speakers;
• The links should be to the benefit of both communities;
• Committees from the two communities must establish effective communication with each other;
• There must be an element of learning Irish in Scotland or Gàidhlig in Ireland for the respective in the programme of entries;
• Entries are welcomed from committees and voluntary organisations;
• As part of the adjudication of the competition, there will be a requirement for a written report from participants;
• Any prize that may be won must be spent on deepening the link between the two language communities.
A copy of the criteria and further information about the competition are available from Glór na nGael on +353 46 943 0974 or by e.mail on fiosru@glornangael.ie.
www.gaelport.com
22 June 2009
Official launch screening of ‘Following the Whitethorn’ le Michael Fortune
Following the Whitethorn’ is a body of video work by Michael Fortune, commissioned by Mayo County Council and funded by the Department of the Enviornment, Heritage and Local Government under the Percent for Art Scheme.
Ballinrobe Community School, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo
7.30p.m. Tuesday 23rd of June 2009 (St. John's Eve)
The screening will be followed by a barbeque and the lighting of the St. John's Eve Bonfire at Friar's Lodge Nursing Home, Convent Road, Ballinrobe. Music and refreshments provided. Transport will be available to carry people from the Community School to the Nursing Home.
What better way to spend bonfire night than viewing a collection of local piseoige followed by a bonfire, barbeque and some music.
Following the launch the work will be screened continuously in Ballinrobe Library, Maint Street, Ballinrobe and The Tacú Centre, Glebe Street, Ballinrobe from the 24th-30th of June 2009. A limited number of DVDs will be available, requests for these can be made at the launch event, and afterwards from the Arts Office. The films will also be available to loam from all County Mayo libraries after the event.
Further information on the project also available via: www.followingthewhitethorn.com.
Summer Camps
Togra Mhaigh Eo is located on Ellison Street Castlebar. Our main aim is to promote the Irish language throughout the County in different ways, we also run Irish Classes for adults, workshops, third level courses , leaving and junior cert classes and many more. The week long camp is funded by Forás na Gaeilge and run in conjunction with Togra Mhaigh Eo de Chonradh na Gaeilge, these camps will run in Castlebar, Westport, Claremorris and Ballina. The activity camps will run in July.
We cater for youngsters from seven up to 14 years. The week long activities will include music, dancing, drama, art and crafts, sport, pottery and many more. These camps are run by qualified teachers who have the keen interest for the Irish language.
These camps will run in July, from Monday to Friday from 10.00 – 2.30 p.m. The week long camp will cost €60 per child.
For more information you can contact Bridín on:
094-90-22444 or 087-9781166 or eolas@conradhmhaigheo.ie
Most people still value Irish
Around 93% of those who took part in a national survey wish to have Irish revived or preserved, according to a report published last month.
The Irish Language and the Irish People by Father Mícheál Mac Gréil and Fergal Rhatigan is the third report on the attitudes towards, competence in and use of the Irish language. Fieldwork on the current survey was carried out by the ESRI in 2007 and 2008. In examining general competence in the language, those surveyed were asked to rate their own level of Irish on a scale ranging from fluent to no Irish at all.
A significant and disappointing finding of the report was that, while 47% of Irish-born respondents rated themselves as reasonably competent, only 23% reported using Irish regularly. Based on the survey’s results, the report identifies challenges facing the Irish language and makes recommendations in relation to developing and strengthening Irish in various areas of daily life, including education, public services, voluntary language and cultural organisations and the media. Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív said that since the last report 20 years ago, the composition of Irish society had changed greatly. ‘With an estimated 13% of our population made up of non-Irish nationals, the Ireland of today is a far more culturally diverse and vibrant country than the Ireland of 20 years ago,’ he said. ‘One of the findings of this report I find striking is that when you look at the overwhelmingly positive attitude towards the Irish language, there is no difference in outlook between a sample of the total population and a sample of only those born in Ireland.
It has been my own experience that in general, migrants who settle here in Ireland are open and positive about the Irish language, and many make the effort to learn it, particularly if they have children in school here. ‘Most of the non-Irish nationals who come to Ireland are either bilingual or multilingual and appreciate the benefits of having more than one language,’ he said. I am pleased that we now have the statistical evidence to recognise this.
Blas Mhaigh Eo
Tá siad ag súil le greim a fháil ar mheáin an domhain agus iad bailithe don Rás Domhanda chun Maigh Eo a léiriú mar áit ar leith do bhia lámhdhéanta. Beidh lucht leanta an Rása in ann blas a bhaint as an mbia den scoth a bheidh á chur ar fáil acu ina measc iasc deataithe as Chuan Mó, cáiseanna blasta, milseoga gleoite agus neart eile a táirgeadh go huile agus go hiomlán i Maigh Eo agus iad ag baint taitnimh as an Rás Aigéin Volvo.
“Is am fíor-spreagúil do bhia ceardaí Mhaigh Eo é seo, a dúirt Brian Quinn de chuid Mayo Naturally agus Fáilte Ireland West faoin tionscadal. Is ócáid an-oiriúnach é an Rás Aigéin Volvo chun an ‘Taste of Mayo Béile’ a chur chun cinn ar stáitse an domhain. Beidh na meáin chumarsáide ar fad ann agus is deis iontach é seo chun tuilleadh cuairteoirí agus turasóirí a mhealladh go Maigh Eo” a dúirt sé.
Tá Mayo Naturally, Bord Forbartha Contae Mhaigh Eo agus Gnó Mhaigh Eo ag tabhairt tacaíochta don “Taste of Mayo Béile”. Is cuid de bhrandáil “Déanta i Maigh Eo” é seo, tionscadal a cruthú chun bia agus ceardaíocht a dhéantar agus a tháirgtear i Maigh Eo a chur ar taispeáint.
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Is iad seo a leanas na táirgeoirí bia a bheidh ann: A Taste of Days Gone By, Baile Uí Fhiacháin (Patti Moss) le seatnaí agus anlainn ghoinbhlasta; Kelly’s Butchers, Baile Uí Fhiacháin (Seán Kelly) lena chuid putóga bána agus dubha a bhfuil duaiseanna bainte amach acu; Carrowholly Cheese, Cathair na Mart (Andrew Pelham-Burn) le chúig bhlas difriúla de cháis feirme de stíl Gouda; Clarke’s Fish Smokery le bradán dair-dheataithe; Knockranny House Hotel le cistí milis agus aráin; Castlehill Catering, Béal an Átha (Clair O’Connor) le humus orgánach agus Cuinneog Country Butter, Béal Átha Bhearaigh (Tom Butler). Beidh an ‘Taste of Mayo Béile’ uile ar fáil ar €7 i rith an Rása Aigéin is mó ar domhain.
Níl aon dabht ann ná go mbeidh blas Mhaigh Eo i mbéal gach uile dhuine i nGaillimh an tseachtain seo chugainn.
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