Mini-gaeltacht right in the heart of town
Meán Fómhair 22, 2011
Wexford now has its own mini-Gaeltacht thanks to the opening of a new Irish language and culture centre.
Tobar, in the Westgate Heritage Centre, was officially opened by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny during his visit to the town last Friday. The group behind Tobar are Na Macallaí, founded by secondary school teacher Darren O’ Ceallaigh from Wexford town. Na Macallaí are dedicated to promoting the Irish language and culture in Wexford. The Tobar centre will host Irish conversation classes for all ages as well as music and dancing performances. It is also hoped to have an Irish language cafe and an art gallery. Na Macallaí were previously based in an office in the FDYS building on the Main Street and eventually hope to develop that property as an Irish centre. In the meantime, they have taken over the Westgate Heritage Centre from Wexford Borough Council for two years. Darren O’ Ceallaigh grabbed the chance to have a word in the ear of the Taoiseach about funding for the Main Street project during the official opening ceremony last Friday.
‘He said he would send down the Minister for Gaeltacht Affairs Dinny McGinley to talk to us,’ said Darren. An Taoiseach congratulated Na Macallai on their work and said it was wonderful for children to hear the Irish language being spoken around them. Wexford Gaelscoil principal Aine Ni Ghionnáin attended the opening ceremony with a few of her uniformed students. They watched as An Taoiseach planted a hazel tree in the grounds to mark the occasion. Also keeping an eye on Mr. Kenny as he showed off his sand shovelling skills were his Fine Gael Oireachtas members Paul Kehoe and Liam Twomey. Mr. Kenny was presented with a framed photograph of ‘Pikemen at Sunset’ in honour of his visit. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny had high praise for two other Wexford companies that he visited last week. He said he was ‘absolutely impressed’ by Advanced Balloon Technology (ABT) in Drinagh, a new business founded by a toolmaker. ABT is manufacturing sophisticated angio-blast technology for export to hospitals and clinics in China and the US. An Taoiseach said this small indigenuous company is an example of the innovation and enterprise that Ireland currently needs for economic recovery. Many of the people working there were previously unemployed. He also paid a visit to Kent Stainless in Drinagh which now employs 120 people and is poised for export growth. ’ These companies are having an impact not alone on the local community in Wexford but on the country, an Taoiseach said
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