Comhghairdeas Cumann Gaelach Marino
March 31, 2014
At the Glór na nGael national awards on Saturday night last a cheque for 1,000 euro was presented to the Cumann Gaelach from Marino Institute of Education as the best Cumann Gaelach in its category among third level institutions. Four hundred guests were in attendance and the presentation itself was made by the Minister of State for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Mr Dinny McGinley T.D. to Sarah Breathnach, Nora Ní Mhurchú and Paula Melvin. We congratulate them for gaining this recognition for all the work they have done since the beginning of the year and for the work that the Cumann Gaelach has done in Marino over the years.
Féile Raifteirí
March 31, 2014
Fios Físe ag lorg do thuairimí
March 31, 2014
Cuireadh chun aiseolas a thabhairt maidir le cur chun cinn sláinte mheabhrach agus folláine i mbunscoileanna
March 27, 2014
Public meeting re Irish-medium post-primary education in Dublin 15 on March 26th
March 27, 2014
The public meeting organised by parents in the Crowne Plaza in Blanchardstown to assess the demand for an Irish-medium post-primary school in Dublin 15 was a great success, with a large crowd in attendance and a lot of interest shown in the campaign. An expression of interest form was handed out to everyone on the night and you can download a copy of the form here:
The meeting discussed the advantages of Irish-medium at post-primary level, the process that the Department of Education and Skills have in place to establish new schools and the growth of interest in Irish in Dublin 15, including naíonraí, schools, classes for adult learners, social events and more. There was a discussion also on the difference between an independent Irish-medium school and an Irish-medium Aonad, and it was confirmed that an Irish-medium post-primary would be open to all applicants, regardless of their linguistic, cultural or economic backgrounds.
The next step is to establish a committee to steer the campaign, and anyone interested in taking an active role is asked to contact the Development Officer in Gaelscoileanna Teo. on 01 8535193 or by emailing clare@gaelscoileanna.ie.
Darren J. Prior attended the meeting on behalf of Raidió na Life and you can listen back to his report here.
Lá Dearg Bhéal Feirste
March 27, 2014
Irish and ‘language snobs’
March 27, 2014
Sir, – The historical gaelteachtóir bias in Irish language policy has meant that other gaeilgeoirí such as myself, a third generation Dublin Irish speaker, are formally – and ridiculously – deemed not to have a native accent.
I and my many peers’ existence is seen as an inconvenience, the cure for which is a prescribed trip to a Gaeltacht to learn to mimic an accent not native to us.
Is mise mar dhea,
CLÍONA SAIDLÉAR,
Ballymoneen Road,
Knocknacarra,
Galway
A Chara, – I was interested to read Heber Rowan’s comments (March 26th) comparing the continuity of the Catalan language with Irish. However I should point out that Catalan always remained the vernacular language of the region, despite the efforts of the Franco regime to suppress its use, whereas this unfortunately cannot be said for Irish, which was evidently suppressed more successfully.
I myself very much regret that, growing up in Co Down and attending state schools in the 1960s, we were totally oblivious of our national language.
Is mise,
STEPHEN CONN,
Dantestrasse,
Heidelberg,
Germany
Sir, – Heber Rowan (March 26th) suggested that the best way to promote the use of Irish would be to dramatically increase the production of Irish language broadcasts. This letter was then followed by another from a Mr O’Cuinn which I could not read because it was in Irish. If Mr Rowan’s suggestion were to be transposed to print media and then enacted, I would have to stop reading your newspaper.
Yours, etc,
DANIEL STANFORD,
Upper Leeson Street,
Dublin 4
The Irish Times – Litir chuig an Eagarthóir
There is a new commissioner in town
March 26, 2014
Rónán Ó Domhnaill starts his stint as language lawman
So, we have a new Comish in the form of Rónán Ó Domhnaill and he is already dipping his toes in the waters by attending an international gathering of language commissioners in Barcelona. (What is the collective noun for a gathering of language commissioners? Gaggle? School? Brigade?) (Yes, other countries have more than one language and many offer those languages some measure of protection under the law.)
It was undoubtedly smart of the Government to give Ó Domhnaill the nod as new Coimisinéir Teanga/Language Commissioner; he is young, intelligent and able and his appointment goes someway to removing the sting from the departure of Seán Ó Cuirreáin in protest as what he saw as the Government’s failure to protect Irish-language services.
Still, there is no doubt that Ó Cuirreáin’s shock resignation in December set the linguistic fur flying and that the shock still lingers. The row over his resignation was understandable. Ó Cuirreáin was a popular figure, committed to his duties under the Official Languages Act and was well able to navigate the political currents that coursed around the language question during his 10 years in office.
Nonetheless, it would be a shame if his resignation obscured what he had to say in his annual report for 2012. 2012 was, he dryly informed the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions (Wednesday 04 Dec, 2013), “not a vintage year for the promotion of the Irish language in the public sector, and for every one step forward there appeared to have been two steps backwards”.
He dealt with 756 complaints from people who had difficulties in accessing a state service through Irish and three quarters of the statutory language plans with state bodies had expired without renewal by the end of 2012. New schemes had been introduced but he was concerned about the quality of some of them and he was worried that state bodies were unable to deliver effective services in Irish.
This want was particularly troubling in the Gaeltacht where, too often, compulsory English (my term) was the order of the day. In his 30 years working in the Irish language, Ó Cuirreáin said he had never seen confidence and morale so low. It would be a “travesty” he said were Ireland to lose its “linguistic sovereignty – a cornerstone of our cultural identity…”
Many Irish speaker believe that the Government has not been overly active in fulfilling its duties – and a cúpla focal from the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, while always welcome, does not disguise that fact. A little meaningful political leadership could do so much to address the issues Ó Cuirreáin raised. Indeed, some worthwhile political direction would do much to challenge the cynicism amongst those who speak the language and those who don’t.
www.Irishtimes.com
Coimicí Gaeilge i gCeatharlach
March 26, 2014
Irish and ‘language snobs’
March 26, 2014
No reply Sir, – On the subject of the Irish language, which has been featuring in these columns over the last few days, I feel I must express some pent-up feelings that have been with me for decades.
Going to school in Dublin 4 during the 1950s, at all times during Irish class I was reminded that I was not a “fíor gaeilgeoir”. Terms like “seonín” were used liberally and frequently. I was good at Irish and got more than 90 per cent in my Leaving Cert and I have retained a strong affection for the language. But that did not matter during class time.
The school did not have a GAA team – neither did it have a soccer team. It had a rugby team, and I was its captain at several age levels. No opportunity was ever missed to remind me of “garrison towns”.
Some of my classmates were from rural Ireland. The favouritism shown to them by the teacher was little short of sectarian.
Needless to say, most of the rest in the class were completely demotivated from ever having any interest in speaking or having a strong feeling for the retention of the language.
How wonderful now to have TG4 showing Rugbaí Beo . I don’t care if Jerry Flannery’s Irish isn’t perfect (his rugby was very nearly). Can we get on with preserving the language by making it living and not an academic exercise? Yours, etc,
FINTAN GIBNEY
Glasnevin Hill,
Dublin i9
Sir, – The only meaningful way to ensure the continuity of the Irish language in Ireland is if we mandate a high percentage of all broadcasting to be made in Irish. This would allow people the ability to think of the language outside of school. A similar policy has worked wonders for Catalan. So why not in Ireland? Yours, etc,
HEBER ROWAN
Annagh lodge,
Geevagh,
Co Sligo
A Chara,- Tá go leor scríofa, agas cainte déanta, faoi “Ceist na Gaeilge”. Is trua gur i mBéarla a bhíonn sé! Tá sé in am dúinn anois ár dteanga Ghaeilge a úsáid, a bheag nó a mhór de atá againn. Mar a deir an seanfhocal, “Beatha teanga í a úsáid”. Use it or lose it! Is Mise,
SÉAN O’CUINN,
Gleann na Smól,
An Charraig Dhubh,
Átha Cliath
www.Irishtimes.com
