Tráth na gCeist Bórd Feachtas
January 6, 2014
Ceiliúradh na Nollag i mBunscoil an Iúir
January 6, 2014
First language planning notices published
January 6, 2014
Request for submissions regarding three language planning regions announced under Section 7(3) of the Gaeltacht Act 2012
The Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley, T.D., has announced the first notices regarding the language planning process for the following Limistéir Pleanála Teanga:
Ciarraí Thiar
Cois Fharraige
Gaoth Dobhair, Rann a Feirste, Anagaire and Loch an Iúir
Under the Gaeltacht Act 2012, the Gaeltacht was divided into 19 separate language planning regions, with the intention that a unique language plan would be drafted for each selected region. It was agreed at that time that a supervisory body would be named in each region to work alongside Údarás na Gaeltachta in implementing the language plan on the ground. In May of this year, it was announced that the language planning areas had been redefined, which meant an increase from 19 distinct areas to 26.
Announcing the beginning of the application process today, Minister of State McGinley said, “I am delighted to announce that I have published the first three notices under section 7(3) of the Gaeltacht Act 2012. These notices officially mark the beginning of the language planning process on the ground in these areas”.
Organisations will be given up to 2 months from 16 January 2014 to apply to Údarás na Gaeltachta to be selected to prepare and implement language plans in the areas. Language plans will be prepared over a 2 year period and following Department approval, plans will be implemented, with assistance from Údarás na Gaeltachta, over a seven year period.
“Now that the language planning process has been officially initiated in 3 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, I am hopeful that a further 10 notices will be published in respect of 10 other areas next year with the remainder to follow thereafter,” said Minister of State McGinley.
Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, Kevin De Barra, said that more was expected from the Department: “Only three regions out of twenty six were announced today. It will be a long time before any progress is made should the Department continue with this approach. These regions will have two years to draft a language plan which, following ratification from the Department, will be implemented over a seven year period”.
“No details regarding the resources or support that these regions will receive throughout the process have been released. The Government must prioritise the implementation of this process and the provision of resources to the parties involved”.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Daidí na Nollag ar chuairt
December 20, 2013
Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D. Higgins speaks to Raidió na Life on ‘20 Bliain’ Wednesday 19th December, 12:00 – 13:00
December 18, 2013
Raidió na Life is delighted to announce that President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins will give the station an exclusive interview this coming Wednesday 19th December at 12 noon as part of the ’20 Bliain’ series, a series featuring major figures from all walks of Irish public life speaking to the volunteer presenters of Raidió na Life about the events which took place in that person‟s life between the years 1993 and 2013, the same period throughout which Raidió na Life has been providing a community radio service to Irish speakers in the greater Dublin area.
Judy-Meg Ní Chinnéide will speak to an tUachtarán this week about the events which took place in his life over the course of the last 20 years and we will also hear some music chosen by him. Amongst other topics of conversation, The President reflects on his own memories of the establishment of Raidió na Life itself in 1993, his own role as Minister for Arts, Culture agus the Gaeltacht in setting up Teilifís na Gaeilge, and his personal views on the position of the Irish Language within Irish society – then, and now. Do not miss this very special interview! Listen in on Wednesday at 12pm on 106.4FM in Dublin or online at raidionalife.ie.
„20 Bliain‟ can be heard every Wednesday at 12 noon, with an opportunity to hear it again at 7pm on Thursday evenings. A wide range of guests have taken part in the series to date, from actors to politicians to well-known broadcasters to musicians and others besides. You can listen back to any of the interviews broadcast on the series thus far on Raidió na Life‟s website at http://www.raidionalife.ie/20bliain/, where you can hear interviews with the likes of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, comedian Dara Ó Briain, actor Peter Coonan („Fran‟ in Love/Hate), TV presenter Bláithnaid Ní Chofaigh, Fiach Mac Conghail, Director of the Abbey Theatre and many more besides.
Cian Mac Cárthaigh, Clár Reachtaire with Raidió na Life says “It was clear to us that there is a wide range of people in public life in Ireland who would have a lot of interesting things to say about what happened in their lives between 1993 and 2013. We felt it important to create a public record of these stories through the Irish Language and we hope that people will still listen back to these interviews when Raidió na Life is celebrating its 40th anniversary. We also wanted to give the volunteer presenters of RnaL an opportunity to showcase their talents as journalists through undertaking major interviews with some of the key figures in Irish public life.”
Raidió na Life‟s recent trip to Áras an Uachtaráin was documented by RnaL volunteer and young film-maker Laura Gaynor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooJ9gNI-rxo
Tráth Ceist na Nollag do Charthanacht | Fun Christmas Table Quiz for Charity
December 17, 2013
Ceolchoirm i PS na Tríonóide, Eochaill
December 17, 2013
Scéal na Gaeilge, Doire Cholm Cille
December 17, 2013
Highlights 2013
December 17, 2013
As we approach the end of 2013, we look back at some of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge’s highlights from the past year.
Advocacy and Representation
Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge provided information regarding the Official Languages Act 2003 to the public and to public bodies. In total, 20 submissions were made to public bodies preparing draft language schemes under the Official Languages Act 2003.
An Chomhdháil played a central role in the Forum of Core-Funded Organisations, to address changes in the sector in conjunction with its member organisations, other core-funded organisations and both States. This role involved regular contact with Foras na Gaeilge, the Sponsoring Departments, members of the Houses of the Oireachtas and the Assembly as well as other stakeholder groups.
An Chomhdháil actively participated on the Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta and in the campaign to establish a Language Act in Northern Ireland.
An Chomhdháil also actively participated on the Comhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) and had an active role on the Coiste Stiúrtha for the INTEREG research and training project entitled Menter Iontach Nua.
Awareness campaigns were organised encouraging the public to take part in a Foras na Gaeilge public consultation on Irish language readership; an online campaign on the public consultation on the Draft-bill on Education (Admission to Schools) Bill which also involved media coverage and contact with members of the Houses of the Oireachtas as well as other interested parties – An Chomhdháil also made a comprehensive submission regarding this matter. An awareness campaign was also organised regarding the consultation on the changes to the Junior Certificate syllabus.
Digital Services
An Chomhdháil undertook a comprehensive digital strategy this year with the overall aim of Gaelport.com being to the forefront on the digital stage.
Gaelport.com Mobile, which is available on all smart phones, is continuing to be received well and Gaelport is being continually developed on digital and social platforms with multimedia material, videos and pictures published on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
The biggest news feeds on Gaelport.com continue to be developed:
Latest News: The latest stories from the Irish language community – Visitors to this page increased by 6%.
From the Papers: A daily news digest of the latest Irish language news stories from the national and regional press.
Jobs: A free online recruitment service – Visits to this page increased by 19% and 134 vacancies were advertised throughout 2013.
Events Diary: An events calendar detailing Irish language events around the world – Visits to this page increased by 57% and 254 events were advertised free of charge.
Courses: An online resource detailing training courses and Irish classes for all levels – Visits to this page increased by 84%.
7 na Seachtaine, a new publication of a selection of the biggest news stories from Gaelport.com, was launched in 2013.
• 7,685 subscribers to the weekly e-zine 7 na Seachtaine
• 2,035 subscribers to the daily news digest As Na Nuachtáin
Other Comhdháil projects
Over 1,962 students from 56 post-primary schools attended the Buntáiste Breise na Gaeilge seminars throughout 2013.
Cuireadh Chun Cainte was broadcast on TG4 during the Easter break and was distributed to all post-primary schools in the country during 2012/2013. This learning package has received over 190,000 views on YouTube.
Céim Chun Tosaigh TG4 was broadcast on TG4 in the Spring and a copy of this DVD along with all extra material has been received by every post-primary school (824 schools) since September 2013.
Turas na bhFilí took place in Ireland in April and in Scotland in September with full attendance at all events held as part of this cultural exchange between. Once again this year there was great interest in Comórtas Uí Néill, the bilingual poetry competition held as part of the festival.
The sale of An Fáinne Óir, An Fáinne Airgid and An Seanfháinne continued successfully as well the Mass leaflets service provided by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge which delivers to 43 parishes throughout the year. Over 25 participants took part in the Ciorcal Comhrá which was held in Cois Teallaigh from January-September 2013.
Foilsithe ar Gaelport.com
Online Irish Language Newspaper Scheme
December 17, 2013
Last week, Foras na Gaeilge announced the details of a new scheme which will provide funding to an online Irish language digital newspaper.
As two print newspapers were discontinued earlier this year, the Irish language community will rely heavily on this scheme to fill the current vacuum in the area of written news, as they pray that this publication will not be destined to the same unfortunate cycle as its predecessors.
The plug was pulled on Gaelscéal in February 2013, when Foras na Gaeilge announced they were to discontinue their contract with Toras na dTonn due to low sales figures. At that time, Foras na Gaeilge claimed the newspaper sold approximately 1,300 copies per week, a figure which was disputed by Gaelscéal editor, Ciarán Dunbar. Foras na Gaeilge were heavily criticised at the time, with people such as Doiminic Ó Brolcháin MLA accusing Foras na Gaeilge of having knowingly agreed unattainable targets with Gaelscéal at the outset of the contract.
Later this year, another axe was set to fall on the Irish language print media with the announcement that Foinse would not return to our shelves at the beginning of the school year in September. Foinse was founded in 1996, but when Foras na Gaeilge discontinued funding in 2009, the paper was remodelled and remarketed as a supplement in the Irish Independent aimed specifically at Irish language learners. Another twist in the tale came when the Irish Independent unexpectedly launched a successor to Foinse, Seachtain, a new supplement with a different team of editors and journalists.
In a statement from Foras na Gaeilge in February of this year, it was noted that a printed format is not the most suitable format to provide news to Irish language readers. After public meetings and focus groups, details of the new scheme which will replace Gaelscéal have now been announced.
Under the new scheme, the ‘newspaper’ will be provided on a weekly basis, in a digital format free of charge, and will focus predominantly on written reporting and commentary. The criteria set out in the scheme emphasises the necessity to serve the requirements of the entire Irish language community, with national and regional news, with regularly updated Irish language news.
The type of editorial slant to be employed by the paper is also referred to within the criteria, and this must be focused on an Irish language audience, and any direct translation from English language sources must be avoided. Along with providing a weekly newspaper, the successful company must also provide a “training, employment and a platform for a new generation of journalists with technological skills.”
In the application form, it is necessary to describe how the paper would seek to cover the following remits:
- International, national and regional news
- News relating to the Gaeltacht and the Irish language sector
- A diary of events
- Feature articles, articles of special interest, cartoons, and photographs
- Sports news
- Arts and Literature Reviews
- Content for the Irish language diaspora
- Content suitable for learners
With a budget of €1.2M over a four year period, a budget which is lower than that afforded to Gaelscéal, Foras na Gaeilge are hoping to achieve a lot. Not only will this new team of journalists have to provide news across a wide range of subject categories, but they will also be responsible for training the next generation of Irish language journalists. A tall order indeed and one would have to wonder whether Foras na Gaeilge are repeating the same mistake again, as they seek to provide a single publication which will cater to every market segment.
The small print of the scheme requires applicants to include screen grabs or mock-ups of the paper, which at first glance would appear to give an advantage to those already up and running who would therefore have access to the design tools required.
The deadline for applications is Friday, 24th January at 1pm. Once assessed, a shortlist of applicants will be invited to an interview by the Foras na Gaeilge Newspaper and Magazine Committee.
Gaelport.com
