Slán leis an gcoimisinéir teanga
Feabhra 20, 2014
Eagraíodh Lá Mór na Gaeilge sna sála ar fhógairt Sheáin Uí Chuirreáin go mbeadh sé ag éirí as oifig mar Choimisinéir Teanga, mar gheall ar easpa tacaíochta an Rialtais ó dheas do chearta teanga phobal na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge.
Is é an Domhnach seo chugainn, 23 Feabhra, an lá deireanach do Sheán Ó Cuirreáin ina phost mar Choimisinéir Teanga, tar éis dó deich mbliana a chaitheamh ag obair le dúthracht ag iarraidh ar an státchóras freastal mar is cuí ar phobal na Gaeltachta is ar phobal na Gaeilge. Beidh deis ag daoine i gConamara agus i nGaillimh an meas atá acu ar Sheán a léiriú ar an Domhnach seo chugainn, nuair a bhaileoidh daoine taobh amuigh dá oifig sa Sídheán, an Spidéal, le litir a thabhairt dó ag gabháil buíochais leis faoina chuid oibre. Ina dhiaidh sin máirseálfar chomh fada le Roinn na Gaeltachta, áit a mbeidh litir don Aire Stáit, Dinny Mc Ginley, á shíneadh isteach ag iarraidh air féin agus ar an rialtas deireadh a chur leis an gcur i gcéill agus díriú ar na baic atá ag an státchóras freastal mar ba cheart ar lucht labhartha na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht ina dteanga féin.
Tá eolas breise faoi imeachtaí an Domhnaigh le fáil ó 091 593185, 086 4048881 nó 091 567824.
www.advertiser.ie/galway
Irish language under threat
Feabhra 19, 2014
A chara, – I congratulate Rónán Ó Domhnaill on his nomination to the post of Language Commissioner (Pól Ó Muirí, February 11th). But I do not envy him.
Although the language and the Gaeltacht are cultural and economic resources which can, and do, benefit all on this island, and belong to all, both are under threat. The Gaeltacht is a rural area, and contact with the State is pervasive and frequently intrusive. The outgoing commissioner has documented and demonstrated that, despite the rhetoric, the State has long imposed compulsory English on the Gaeltacht for those who must avail of its services to live.
The Official Languages Act was intended to stem that erosion. However, it has been undermined by a niggardly implementation or by being ignored. The Act has been under review for two years now – and is likely to be further weakened when amended. Indeed, the Government has already announced the dismantling of the language commissioner’s independence by subsuming the office into that of the Ombudsman – one of the offices subject to oversight by the commissioner, and an important one at that as it deals with the public. As I believe the Gaeltacht and the language are important to the future of this country and State, and are part of all our heritage which deserves to be invested in to the benefit of all, I took part in Lá na Gaeilge on Saturday to urge the Government to reconsider and invest in rather than further erode the Gaeltacht.
I was heartened to find myself in a crowd of thousands, which I see as encouragement for the incoming language commissioner in his task of vindicating the rights of Irish speakers, by ensuring that government departments meet their legislative commitments generously and sensibly. I hope too that the Government will also take heed, and implement its promises in the 20-year strategy in a sensible and effective manner. – Is mise, le meas
AONGHUS Ó hALMHAIN,
Páirc na Seilbhe,
Baile an Chinnéidigh,
Co Chill Mhantáin.
www.irishtimes.com
Moltar an mórshiúl
Feabhra 19, 2014
Moltar na mílte. Moltar Lá Mór na Gaeilge.
Is go réidh a thagann na focail “ardú meanman” agus “tógáil croí” chun béil agus tú ag amharc ar na mílte – suas go 10,000 duine, de réir lucht eagraithe – a shiúil i mBaile Átha Cliath Dé Sathairn agus iad “dearg le fearg” ar son na teanga.
Cur i gcuimhne Ní miste cur i gcuimhne do pholaiteoirí, do na meáin chumarsáide agus leoga, do na Gaeilgeoirí gairmiúla féin, go bhfuil fíordhaoine ar son na Gaeilge. Beidh mórán daoine ar cás leo an teanga ar son na n-éileamh atá lucht eagraithe na hócáide, Conradh na Gaeilge: seirbhís Stáit as Gaeilge a chinntiú do phobal na Gaeltachta faoi dheireadh 2016; seirbhísí Stáit a chur ar fáil as Gaeilge do phobal na Gaeilge ar comhchaighdeán leis na seirbhísí as Béarla; Acht Gaeilge a achtú ó thuaidh; Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a láidriú agus deireadh a chur leis an maolú ar stádas na Gaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil den Aontas Eorpach.
Sásta Is ait an mac é saol na Gaeilge, gan amhras. Dá rachfá siar 100 bliain agus a rá le lucht na Gaeilge an t-am sin go mbeadh críochdheighilt in Éirinn ach go mbeadh an Ghaeilge aitheanta mar chéad teanga oifigiúil de chuid an Stáit seo, go mbeadh an teanga á teagasc in áiteanna iargúlta ar fud na hÉireann, go mbeadh aicme ollscoile le Gaeilge agat, chan amháin in Éirinn ach thar lear, go mbeadh an teanga á labhairt go fóill – más ar éigean é – i mórán ceantar Gaeltachta, go mbeadh nasc idirnáisiúnta idirlín ar fáil do lucht labhartha na teanga, agus go mbeadh feidhmeannaigh ag plé leis an teanga go laethúil, nach orthu a bheadh gliondar? An mbeadh siad den bharúil go raibh toradh mar ba cheart ar a gcuid iarrachtaí?
Déarfainn go mbeadh mórán acu sásta; déarfainn nach gcreidfeadh mórán acu an cruth atá anois ar chúrsaí, gur ar éigean a chreidfeadh siad a raibh déanta – rud nach ionann agus a rá nach mbeadh siad ag máirseáil arís. Nach é sin an donas a bhainean leis an teanga? Tá an oiread sin bainte amach ach, ina ainneoin sin, braitheann mórán de lucht na Gaeilge nach leor é, nach fada uainn uilig bá an Bhéarla. Tá sin intuigthe agus ní gan chúis atá an imní. Mar sin féin, is é an dara donas a bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge nach cumhacht a bhíonn i gceist léi ach cúram, cúram leanúnach trom nach n-imíonn in am ar bith, nach n-éiríonn níos éadroime in am ar bith. Fadhb Ní luaithe fadhb amháin sáraithe go dtagann an dara fadhb; ní luaithe freagra tugtha ar cheist amháin go gcuirtear an dara ceist.
Streachailt gan stad gan staonadh agus ní fearg a choinníonn an dé ionat ach stuaim dháigh.
Agus na daoine nach bhfuil Gaeilge acu, amharcann siad ar lucht na teanga mar a bheadh scata Trekkies iontu, iad ag éirí tógtha le fantaisíocht Ghaelach éigin nach ann di i ndáiríre. Bíonn cuid acu múinte, cuid eile drochmhúinte. Bíonn cuid acu fiosrach agus mórán eile aineolach. Ach ní bréag a rá gur ar éigean a roinneann lucht na Gaeilge agus lucht an Bhéarla an pláinéad céanna, gan a bheith ag caint ar an tír chéanna. Moltar an mórshiúl. Moltar na mílte. Moltar Lá Mór na Gaeilge. Níl le déanamh anois ach an cheist, an chúis, an crá croí, a chur os comhair an phobail agus na bpolaiteoirí, bíodh Gaeilge acu nó ná bíodh, go ceann 364 lá eile. Agus is maith go bhfuil daoine lán misnigh ann le tabhairt faoin fhéilire sin a líonadh.
www.irishtimes.com
Bradley calls for Foras na Gaeilge to explain new funding arrangements
Feabhra 18, 2014
SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh has invited Foras na Gaeilge to be questioned by Stormont’s Culture Arts and Leisure Committee about new funding arrangements for the Irish Language.
Speaking to Newry Times, Bradley said, “Core funded organisations, which are currently outside the funding loop – Pobal, Ultach and Altram – will also give evidence to the Committee. “Many questions still remain unanswered. Will the Minister urge Foras na Gaeilge to implement a consortia-based approach to ensure the continuance of the excellent work being carried out by POBAL, Iontaobhas Ultach, Altram and Forbairt Feirste? “How will the experience and leadership skill of the staff here be retained, how many posts will be ended, will the lead organisations share accommodation, will the leadership posts of Directors/Chief Executives the 6 Lead organisations will be subject to open completion? Bradley added, “I will be pressing Foras na Gaeilge to provide the answers to these important questions.”
www.newrytimes.com
Coláiste Samhraidh 2014 do dhéagóirí i gCeatharlach
Feabhra 18, 2014
Tá an-áthas ar Glór Cheatharlach a fhógairt go n-eagrófar Coláiste Samhraidh do dhéagóirí i gCeatharlach arís an samhradh seo.
Cuirfear tús leis an gcoláiste samhraidh ar an 30ú Meitheamh agus leanfaidh sé ar aghaidh go dtí an 11ú Iúil ó 9.30r.n. go 1.00 i.n. gach lá Luan go hAoine. Mar is gnáthach beidh an cúrsa coicíse lonnaithe i nGaelcholáiste Cheatharlach. Tá clárú oscailte anois agus ‘sé €200 an táille. Beidh an Coláiste Samhraidh dírithe ar mhicléinn atá ag iarraidh feabhas a chur ar a gcuid scileanna labhartha agus scríofa sa Ghaeilge. Cuirfear fáilte roimh dhaltaí ó rang a sé go leibhéal na hardteistiméireachta. Beidh ranganna agus imeachtaí an chúrsa in oiriúint do dhaltaí i rang a sé agus do mhicléinn i mbliain 1 agus 2 i ngrúpa na sóisear agus beidh na daltaí níos sine i ngrúpa na sinsear.
Chomh maith leis na ranganna foirmiúil gach lá beidh cluichí cainte, díospóireachtaí, amhránaíocht, cluichí, spórt agus damhsa ar an gclár. Cuirfear ranganna Gaeilge le meascán maith de chomhrá agus gramadach, plé agus díospóireacht in oiriúint do na daltaí. Ina theannta sin, beidh seans ag na micleinn tarraingt ar a gcuid eolais ginearálta ag tráth na gceist boird agus ar ndóigh bainfear taitneamh as na céilithe.
Is í seo an séú bhliain den choláiste samhraidh i mbaile Cheatharlach. D’éirigh go hiontach leis an gcoláiste samhraidh le blianta anuas le hochtó dalta páirteach. Bhaineadar taitneamh agus tairbhe, sult agus spraoi as an gcúrsa coicíse. Beifear ag súil le héileamh mór arís i mbliana ach chun áit a chinntiú ní foláir foirm iarratais comhlánaithe maille le héarlais €50 a bheith istigh go luath. Is féidir foirm a fháil anois ó Glór Cheatharlach, Sráid an Choláiste, Ceatharlach nó glaoch a chur ar (059) 9158105 nó (085) 1340047. Is féidir freisin ríomhphost a sheoladh chuig emma@glorcheatharlach.ie.
www.carlow-nationalist.ie
Gaelscoil to pay €750 after boy ‘punished’ for being Protestant
Feabhra 18, 2014
THE board of a Gaelscoil has been ordered to pay a Protestant schoolboy €750 after a principal referred to the boy’s parents as part of the “rebel crowd” and punished him for not attending First Communion and Confirmation ceremonies.
The principal, who is currently on administrative leave, was found guilty of religious discrimination by the Equality Tribunal.The ruling came after the boy’s parents lodged a complaint of discrimination on the basis of religion over the way he was treated at the national school. He had attended the school since he was a junior infant, starting in 2004. The tribunal heard that the boy was ordered by the principal to stand against a classroom wall as punishment for not attending a First Communion ceremony with his schoolmates at a local Catholic church, despite being a member of the Church of Ireland.
He was also excluded from a “homework holiday” in which the other children who had made their First Communion at the church were rewarded. The children were given a special note from the principal excusing them from doing homework for two days while the boy in question was not, which he found very upsetting, the tribunal heard. The parents, who are not named, said the principal had told them the school was “interdenominational” when they initially enrolled their son in school.
Derogatory
However, only Catholic and Church of Ireland faiths would be taught in class. They later complained about a “significant” amount of school time being spent on preparing Catholic children for the their First Communion and Confirmation. The principal told the boy’s mother that she “obviously had a problem with religion” and made derogatory remarks about her faith, including references to her Protestant religion as being part of “the rebel crowd,” the tribunal heard. After they complained about him, the parents said the principal then started “bullying” their other children attending the school.The principal in question is currently on administrative leave from the school, the tribunal was told. On the day of the Equality Tribunal hearing, the chair of the school’s board of management and the school’s current principal “made an unreserved apology to the complainant’s parents in relation to the alleged treatment by the principal regarding the treatment of their son,” the tribunal wrote.
“The chairperson stated that she was not in a position to dispute the facts, and takes on board the issues as outlined by the complainant’s parents.” The tribunal also ordered the board of management at the unnamed national school to review its policies to ensure it complies with the Equal Status Act.
www.independent.ie
€750 award over school’s discrimination
Feabhra 18, 2014
Parents complained that Gaelscoil had treated Church of Ireland pupil unfairly.
Parents of a Church of Ireland pupil who complained about less favourable treatment shown to their son by a Gaelscoil have been awarded €750 by the Equality Tribunal.The mother and father complained on behalf of the boy that he was discriminated against by the national school on religious grounds in contravention of equal status legislation. They claimed he received unfair treatment as he was of the Church of Ireland faith and a majority of other pupils were Catholics.
Interdenominational
The school had informed the parents initially that the school was interdenominational in ethos but that only Catholic and Church of Ireland faiths would be taught.The parents alleged that their son remained in class while a considerable amount of time was spent preparing Catholic children for First Holy Communion. They later questioned why Catholic religious instruction was being offered and were told by the principal that as the two faiths were 95 per cent the same, the education offered would be sufficient for both.
Their son did not attend the First Holy Communion ceremony and the parents allege their son was treated less favourably by the school as a result and treated as if he had done something wrong.The boy did not attend Confirmation for the Catholic pupils at a later date and they alleged that the principal again treated their son less favourably, though not in the same manner as before. In its written submission the school defended its ethos and practices and contradicted some of the claims made by the parents concerning the principal.
Unreserved apology
On the day of the hearing the chairman of the board of management made an unreserved apology in relation to the alleged behaviour of the principal. The tribunal found that the boy had been treated less favourably and accepted the parents had produced prima facie evidence of discrimination. Its judgment records the fact that the parents’ daughter is also attending the school and no issues have arisen in relation to her treatment. The tribunal awarded €750 to the parents. The school was ordered to review its policies and procedures to ensure they are in line with the provisions of the Equal Status Acts and to place a notice to this effect in a prominent position within the school.
www.irishtimes.com
Féile na Gaeilge
Feabhra 18, 2014
Tá mí an-taitneamhach, suimiúil agus gnóthach i ndán do phobal Cheatharlach agus rogha mór imeachtaí á phleanáil do chlár Fhéile na Gaeilge.
Reachtálfar Mí na Gaeilge seachas Seachtain na Gaeilge i mbliana a mhairfidh ó thús go deireadh Mhí an Mhárta. I measc na mbuaicphointí beidh an Comórtas Amhránaíochta Pan Cheilteach, Feis na nGael, imeachtaí na Féile Pádraig, Scoildrámaíocht agus an Fhéile Drámaíochta. Tar éis suas le daichead iarratas a fháil tá gearrliosta na n-amhrán nuachumtha roghnaithe don Chomórtas Náisiúnta Pan Cheilteach a bheidh ar siúl ins an Ostán Seven Oaks ar an Satharn, 8ú Márta ag 8.00i.n. Cuirfear na hamhráin i láthair go poiblí ag ócáid ghalánta os comhair lucht éisteachta agus painéal moltóireachta. Chomh maith le seic €1,000 a bhailiú rachaidh an t-amhrán buachach ar aghaidh le bheith san iomaíocht ar son na hÉireann ag an bhFéile Idirnáisiúnta a bheidh ar siúl i gCathair Dhoire um Cháisc. Le rogha leathan, éagsúlacht iontach agus roinnt amhráin le cumadóirí áitiúla san áireamh is cinnte go mbeidh éileamh mór ar thicéid don imeacht áirithe seo. Tá na ticéid @ €10 ar fáil trí VISUAL ag 059 9172400 nó www.visualcarlow.ie. Moltar áirithintí a dhéanamh gan mhoill chun suíocháin a chinntiú.
Eagraíonn Feis na nGael sraith imeachtaí chun ceangal leanúnach a chothú idir Éire agus Alba agus é mar aidhm ag an eagraíocht an dá chultúr ceilteach a roinnt agus a cheiliúradh le chéile. Mar chuid de chamchuairt náisiúnta na Feise i rith dheireadh seachtaine na Féile Pádraig tabharfar cuairt ar Cheatharlach ar an Satharn, 15ú Márta le haghaidh oíche mhór cheilteach ins an Ostán Seven Oaks. I measc na rannpháirtithe ar an oíche beidh amhránaithe, ceoltóirí, rinceoirí, píobaire agus file ag roinnt a gcuid talainne sa dá theanga. Tá ócáid fíor álainn geallta agus beidh fáilte roimh chách.
I measc na n-imeachtaí dírithe ar scoileanna i rith Mhí an Mhárta beidh Slógadh Spleodar, Spraoicheisteanna an Earraigh, Comórtas Ealaíne, Comórtas Aiste agus Ceardlann Coimicí Gael. Cuirfear fáilte roimh dhrámaí ó scoileanna áitiúla ag an Lá Scoildrámaíochta ar an Déardaoin,13ú Márta. Beidh Mórshiúl na Féile Pádraig ar na sráideanna agus céilithe galore. Chomh maith le fáilte a fhearadh roimh dhrámaí ó cheantair éagsúla léireoidh an complacht drámaíochta áitiúil Aisteoirí an Lóchrainn an dráma Maggie Mhór le John B. Keane ag an bhFéile Drámaíochta a reachtálfar in Amharclann G.B. Shaw ar an Satharn, 22ú Márta. Féile mhór na Gaeilge mar sin i gCeatharlach a mhairfidh ar feadh míosa, Mí an Mhárta agus Mí na Gaeilge. Bí ullamh agus bain taitneamh as an teanga agus an cultúr. Beidh clár iomlán agus gach eolas ar fáil ó Glór Cheatharlach ar 059 9158105, 085 1340047 nó seol ríomhphost chuig emma@glorcheatharlach.ie.
www.carlow-nationalist.com
EU respects Irish more than leaders do
Feabhra 18, 2014
In January, Irish Language Commissioner Seán Ó Cuirreáin announced his intention to step down following the failure by Government to implement legislation to improve services to the public through Irish.
His decision was met with uproar in the Irish-speaking community , not least because of the fear of no Irish representation in government, or the fear that he would not be replaced. Degrading the status of Irish serves to erode long-standing traditions. I understand that Ireland has evolved into a much more diverse culture, but we need to respect indigenous languages. Speaking Irish is neither a political statement, highbrow or attention seeking — it’ s a human right. When Irish is supposedly the first language of Ireland, it seems bizarre that a business cannot contact our government in Irish. To them, it’s an indication of the hands off approach to its conservation. Realistically , Irish speakers know it will always be a minority language. However, that is not to say it deserves any less respect. The EU has shown great leadership in this regard. For example, you can contact an EU institution in Irish and expect to receive a response in that language.
The EU could be forgiven for not having people who can speak Irish but they do. They decided in 2007 to treat the language with dignity and respect. Meanwhile in Ireland, we shouldn’ t have to campaign for the most basic language rights, but we do. Conradh na Gaeilge staged a protest in Dublin dubbed “walk for your rights” on Saturday. Like lot’s of Irish people, I’m not naturally inclined to protesting. I prefer to let off steam in an article or video. However, the problem is that most of the Irish media seldom give this issue the time of day. And while it primarily affects a small proportion of our society , it is a huge issue in their lives.
I was never particularly that good at Irish in school. Most of the Irish I’ve learned has been through doing media in Irish. By taking part in something ‘real’, you realise that Irish is a language and not something that was just in vented to fill the hours of school. Personally, I quite like being bilingual. Apart from being handy, I find that it makes you a better communicator. That, and it offers a lot of opportunities. Irish has a largely silent presence in the country — on signs and in trains. But aside from that, we tend to use it for decoration rather than for its full potential. Irish has existed since at least the 5th century AD . In that regard, it seems a major disservice to make a language redundant simply because it is incon venient to civil servants. Regardless of our Government’ s financial situation, being able to speak a language is a right — not a privilege.
www.examiner.com
‘Lá Mór na Gaeilge an uplifting event’ – Bradley
Feabhra 18, 2014
SDLP Irish Language spokesperson and MLA for Newry and Armagh said today that the unsurpassed attendance at Lá Mór na Gaeilge over the weekend was an uplifting event for the Irish speaking community in this country.
Bradley insisted that it ‘clearly shows the two governments the total disgust’ that Irish speakers feel about the downgrading of the language in policy and funding terms. Speaking in Dublin after the event the SDLP MLA said “I travelled to Dublin with a group of Irish speakers from Newry and Armagh district and we felt truly uplifted by the huge crowd of people, upwards of 10,000 which turned out from all over Ireland and from every Gaeltacht to show their support for the language.
“Today’s attendance illustrates clearly that Irish speakers are not prepared to stand for the marginalisation of the language whether it be by reduced funding or half-hearted policies. “Irish is our national language and the brightest jewel of our heritage and we will not stand for its marginalisation, north or south. Bradley added, “I hope that today’s attendance is a wake-up call for the governments and that they now see that Irish speakers will not accept the downgrading of the language in any form whatsoever.”
www.newrytimes.com
