Lá Mór na Gaeilge – the starting point
February 18, 2014
Up to 10,000 took part in the march in Dublin city at the weekend
Communities from all over Ireland, north and south, walked from the Garden of Remembrance to Dáil Éireann in Dublin on Saturday to show their dissatisfaction with the Government’s treatment of the Irish language, all as a part of Lá Mór na Gaeilge.
Buses from every corner of the country travelled to Dublin from early on Saturday morning where members of the Irish-speaking and Gaeltacht communities of all ages gathered to demand language equality and rights.
The large crowd was lively as the march made its way through the city centre with most of the participants carrying red flags and wearing red clothing to demonstrate the ‘Dearg le Fearg’ theme. The march, organised by Conradh na Gaeilge, made its way to Molesworth Street where a rally and celebration took place with music and guest speakers.
General Secretary of Conradh na Gaeilge, Julian de Spáinn, said “Gaeltacht and Irish-language communities north and south are not happy with either Government, as their basic human right to use their language is neither being supported nor legally protected sufficiently”.
“The aim of Lá Mór na Gaeilge was to drive the Governments to recognise and appreciate the importance and the value of the Irish language for this country, as well as acknowledging the fact that the majority of people on this island have a love for the language, but Saturday’s march is just the beginning – we will continue to campaign our public representatives until we achieve fairness and equality for the Irish-speaking and Gaeltacht communities throughout the island of Ireland”, he said.
Based on the recommendations of An Coimisinéir Teanga and those voiced at public meetings across the country, below are the demands Conradh na Gaeilge agus the attendees of Lá Mór na Gaeilge are calling for to ensure language rights and equality for Irish:
The Gaeltacht community must be guaranteed State service through Irish, without condition or question, by the end of 2016;
State services must be made available in Irish to the Irish-speaking community at the same standard as they are provided in English;
A comprehensive rights-based Irish-language act must be enacted in the north;
The Official Languages Act 2003 must be strengthened in 2014;
The derogation of the status of Irish as an official language of the European Union must not be renewed after 1 January 2017; and
The Irish-language and Gaeltacht community must be recognised as stakeholders in the implementation of The 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 – 2030 in the south and in the Irish-Language Strategy in the north.
Starting point
Saturday’s march has been described as the starting point for a major campaign that aims to achieve equality for the Irish language and Gaeltacht communities.
The next step for the campaign is a march in Conamara on Sunday, 23 February, to coincide with Seán Ó Cuirreáin’s resignation as Coimisinéir Teanga.
The march ‘Slán le Seán’ will begin at 2.00pm at Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga in An Spidéal. A letter will be given to Seán Ó Cuirreáin thanking him for 10 years of service and the crowd will then make their way to the Headquarters of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in Na Forbarcha where a letter will be left for Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D., highlighting the public’s dissatisfaction with the Government.
Further plans for the campaign will be discussed at a seminar that will take place on 28 February 2014, at 8.00pm as a part of the program for Ard-Fheis Chonradh na Gaeilge in Killarney, Co. Kerry.
It is hoped that the success of Saturday’s demonstration will be repeated in Belfast on 12 April where a march to highlight the needs of Irish speakers and the challenges they face in the six counties.
Advisory Committee
Speaking on Adhmhaidin on Raidió na Gaeltachta on Monday, 17 February, Minister of State Dinny McGinley announced the formation of an advisory committee on the implementation of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language. The Minister if State said that the committee will be formed by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge along with Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations arising from a meeting held with the organisations during the Summer.
During the interview on Adhmhaidin, the Minister also stated that the Government had committed to examining the demands being made by the campaign and that An Tánaiste, Éamon Gilmore, has agreed to meet with the organisers on request. Campaign organisers have said that a request for a meeting with An Tánaiste has already been made.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Bradley calls for Foras na Gaeilge to explain new funding arrangements
February 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
February 18, 2014
Gaelscoil to pay €750 after boy ‘punished’ for being Protestant
February 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
February 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
February 18, 2014
EU respects Irish more than leaders do
February 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
February 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
10,000 Gaeilgeoir dearg le fearg
February 18, 2014
TEG Examinations 2014
February 17, 2014
Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge 2014 (European Certificate in Irish 2014)
Irish Language Exams for Adult Learners
TEG exams (European Certificate in Irish), Irish language competency exams for adults, will take place in the following centres in Ireland (subject to demand):
- Belfast
- Castlebar
- Killarney
- Kilkenny
- Cork
- Galway
- Gaoth Dobhairl
- Letterkenny
- Limerick
- Maynooth
and in the following centres abroad:
- Paris
- Prague
- New York
- Ottawa
on the following dates:
- Intermediate 2 (B2): 5.04.2014 * B2 meets Irish language entry requirement for primary teaching*
- Intermediate 1 (B1): 10.05.2014
- Elementary 2 (A2): 24.05.2014
- Elementary 1 (A1): 7.06.2014
14 March 2014 is the closing date for applications
Further information:
www.teg.ie
01 708 3737 / 708 6417
