A final year Politics, Philosophy, Economics and Sociology (PPES) student in Trinity College, Ceithleann Ní Chonluain, has won the gradireland National Student Challenge 2018.

The gradireland 2018 National Student Challenge, sponsored by Lidl, puts teams through their paces through different challenges testing their teamwork, technical, communication and problem solving skills. The students compete in teams, yet were judged individually by assessors from each of the companies involved. All the challenges are designed to test the candidates for the skills that employers are looking for.

“When I was announced as winner, it wasn’t just surprise, it was total shock,” says Ceithleann, on the announcement  that she emerged victorious from a field of over 50 of Ireland’s best and brightest students. The competitors for the final day, held at Chartered Accountants House on Dublin’s Pearse Street, were drawn from those ranked highest in the online National Student Challenge. As the overall winner, Ceithleann took away the gradireland National Student Challenge trophy and a cheque for €1,000.

Hailing from Monkstown in County Dublin, Ceithleann attended Alexandra College before taking up her studies in Trinity College, Dublin. She was raised in a bilingual household, fluent in both Irish and English, and went on to expand on her range of languages by studying French at second level and completing an Erasmus year in Germany. “Being from a bilingual household and growing up speaking Irish meant that I was comfortable in a multilungual setting. I probably could have come back with more German, but Erasmus is something I would wholeheartedly recommend.” she adds.

In terms of what it means for her CV, Ceithleann is very proud to be able to add ‘Winner of National Student Challenge’ to her credentials. “It’s a huge boost for my confidence and obviously for my CV, as it’s sure to be a conversation starter with future employers. As for my career, I’m very much drawn to the political element of my course so I’ll definitely be seeking opportunities in the area of policy, research or lobbying.”

Congratulating Ceithleann on her achievement, Foras na Gaeilge CEO Seán Ó Coinn said “Ceithleann is an excellent ambassador for any student considering the value of maintaining or learning an additional language. Having a second language adds another set of skills to a CV but a third or fourth language can open up an entire new world of opportunities through spending an Erasmus year in another country or, as we have seen with many Irish speakers, working with languages in the EU. I am thrilled that Ceithleann, a fluent Irish speaker, has won the gradireland National Student Challenge in what is Bliain na Gaeilge 2018 and have no doubt that her language skills will continue to benefit her in her future career”.

Ends

Notes for the Editor

About Do Ghairm le Gaeilge

Fluency in Irish enables graduates to develop interesting careers, not only in more traditional sectors such as teaching, translation and media, but also in the arts and cultural sector, in public sector organisations, and in professions such as healthcare, ICT and marketing.  

Visit the gradireland website to hear about how bilingualism benefited Irish speakers such Breda Ní Mhaoláin, Translator and Interpreter and Micheál Ó Ciaraidh, TG4 presenter: http://gradireland.com/get-started-fyi/gaeilge

About gradireland National Student Challenge

For more information on gradireland National Student Challenge visit: www.gradireland.com/challenge

Media queries: 

Foras na Gaeilge 

Anna Davitt, Programme Manager: Communications, Marketing & Awareness, Foras na Gaeilge

Tel: 0035387 673 6175    

Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie

gradireland National Student Challenge

Ruairi Kavanagh, Editor, gradireland

Tel: 00 353 1 645 1500

Email: Ruairi.kavanagh@gradireland.com

Foras na Gaeilge is delighted to announce that they have selected Rody Gorman to spend time in Slovenia as part of the Other Words project this year. Rody will be writing in Scottish Gaelic for the Other Words project. Rody will focus on his own writing, keeping a blog and participating in events connected with minority languages, especially Slovenian, while he is there.

Monaghan v Donegal | St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones | Sunday 18^th March | 2pm

The first ever Pop-up Gaeltacht at a G.A.A. match will take place at the Allianz league fixture between Monaghan and Donegal on the Sunday after St. Patrick’s Day. The event is being organised by the Culture and Irish language committee of Monaghan G.A.A. County Board. The Irish Language will be given pride of place on the day with an all-Irish-speaking area being allocated behind the Gerry Arthur’s Stand for Irish speakers, learners and fluent speakers alike, before and after the match.

This new idea of a ‘Pop-up Gaeltacht’ first appeared in Dublin in November 2016. Peadar Ó Caomhánaigh along with Osgur Ó Ciardha organised the first Pop-up Gaeltacht in a bar in the city and the idea has grown exponentially since then. Nowadays Pop-up Gaeltachtaí take place on a monthly basis and Gaeilgeoirs come in their hundreds to them. The aim of such events is to create an all-Irish-speaking environment to give people an opportunity to speak Irish at their ease under no pressure. Up until now the Pop-up Gaeltachtaí have been constrained to the confines of pubs and the concept has not yet reached G.A.A. grounds around the country. However, Monaghan G.A.A. County Board are attempting to establish a new trend and they even have big plans for the Ulster Final itself.

The committee hopes that an all-Irish-speaking environment will be created around St. Tiernach’s Park on the day. All the announcements will be as Gaeilge; There will be an Irish-speaking-only tent behind the stand; and there will be more Irish than ever before visible around the grounds. As well as that, there will be traditional music, tea, coffee and plenty of freebies given out in the tent. This historic occasion coincides with Monaghan G.A.A.’s huge efforts in promoting Bliain na Gaeilge 2018. It is hoped that there will be more opportunities for the Irish Language community to come together and converse as Gaeilge at G.A.A. matches in the future. Who knows, perhaps a few more Pop-up Gaeltachtaí will appear at big championship matches in the Summer?

Call for applications for an 8-week literary creative residency, 11^th June to 6^thAugust, in Leeuwarden for Irish language writers

Deadline for applications is 1 p.m.29^th March 2018.

The Other Words literary project is a partnership programme between cultural and language organisations in European regions which aims to establish a network of creative placements for European writers in small and minority languages. The partner organisations are:

• Donostia Kultura and San Sebastian 2016 (Basque Country)
• Foras na Gaeilge (Ireland)
• X-OP, eXchange of art Operators and Producers (Slovenia)
• Youth Forum na Mladi (Macedonia)
• Leeuwarde/Ljouwert 2018 (Friesland).

The objectives of the project are:

• To help literature written in small and minority languages to become known further afield.
• To highlight the importance of language diversity.
• To shed light on the literary creation process.
• To draw attention to social themes, issues and social groups connected to small languages.
• To promote cooperation between writers and artists in literature in small and minority languages.
• To give writers the opportunity to benefit from a literary placement to help them develop in their literary career.

The components of the project are:

• Placements: This is the essence of the project, which is based on the exchange of writers between different regions. Each participating region will send two writers to complete an eight week placement in two partner regions in each of the three years, and each region will also host two writers per year from partner regions. There will be a total of 10 writers participating each year.

• Creative literary projects: During the placements, the writers will work on subjects dealing with themes, issues and social groups connected with lesser used languages, the result of which will be a literary text dealing with these subjects, maintaining at all times contact and cooperation with the host community and shedding light on the creative process. To help achieve this the writers will participate in a series of initiatives during the placements.

• Translations: As stated one of the goals of the project is to foster literature produced in minority or small languages and to promote collaboration between writers. All of the texts created during the placements will therefore be translated into the languages of the partners and into English. This will enable us to share “other words” and “the words of others”.

• Website: The works produced under the Beste Hitzak/Other Words project, and the creative process itself, will be published on a specially created website. This website will provide a platform for dissemination of the project content.

We wish to encourage all writers to respond to our open call. This is an excellent opportunity to create a literary work and to become familiar with another region. As already stated, the selected writers will live in another region for eight weeks, all expenses paid. They will also receive financial remuneration.

There will be more placements and events in the future, which will be announced at the appropriate time.

For further information email focaileile@forasnagaeilge.ie or  go to www.focaileile.ie,  www.otherwordsliterature.eu

Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge was launched today at an event in Croke Park in Dublin. Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge is a new voluntary code of best practice, certified to ISO 9001:2008 by NSAI and developed by Foras na Gaeilge in conjunction with government and industry specification.

The all-island Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge award system gives recognition to business organisations who evaluate, develop and capitalise on the use of Irish as an additional business and marketing tool throughout the island of Ireland. Businesses who took part in the Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge pilot scheme were presented with awards at today’s event and it is now open to small and medium sized enterprises throughout the island of Ireland.

Minister of State for Irish, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh TD, said, “Foras na Gaeilge are to be commended for developing Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge, as this is the only code of bilingual best practice that exists internationally. This pioneering voluntary code of best practice is ISO-accredited and is further enhanced by numerous supports from Foras na Gaeilge, developed to assist private sector businesses in incorporating the use of Irish as a complementary marketing tool. My department is delighted to support this exemplary initiative and encourages private sector businesses to strongly consider the associated benefits of attaining Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge recognition.”

Foras na Gaeilge Chairperson, Pól Ó Gallchóir, said, “Today’s event is a big day for the business sector and for bilingualism on an international level as Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge is the first official award scheme throughout the world which gives recognition to excellence in bilingualism in business. I commend the businesses who have been awarded Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge today; these businesses are excellent examples of the benefits associated with providing a bilingual service, a service which will be of benefit to their own business as well as their customers in the years ahead.”

Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge demonstrates awareness and a commitment to bilingualism in business and culture through language, enhancing indigenous characteristics or ‘Irishness’. As well as that, it shows marketing leadership in the provision of innovative customer service. Businesses who are interested in providing a bilingual service can register with Foras na Gaeilge and they will be given advice free of charge. Funding support will be provided during 2018 through Foras na Gaeilge’s Business Support Scheme, supporting businesses to provide signage, packaging, websites and printed marketing material through Irish, as well as English.

Ends

Notes for the editor:

About the Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge Pilot Scheme:

As part of a pilot scheme, 7 groups on an all-island basis were awarded Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge at today’s event:

Further information:

To find out how your business could benefit from the Q-Mharc Gnó le Gaeilge contact Foras na Gaeilge:

Tel: 353 74 955 8126

Email: eolas@qmharc.ie

Website: www.qmharc.ie

Media queries:

Anna Davitt, Programme Manager: Communications, Marketing & Awareness, Foras na Gaeilge

Tel: 0035387 673 6175    

Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie

Foras na Gaeilge is pleased to announce that funding to the value of £179,098 has been approved for the Irish Language Officers Scheme at a Foras na Gaeilge board meeting today. Through the Irish Language Officers Scheme Foras na Gaeilge provides joint funding to local councils in the north to give them an opportunity to provide services through Irish and to support them in developing the promotion and use of Irish. Foras na Gaeilge will jointly fund Irish language officers’ posts in the following councils over the 3 year period of the scheme:

• Derry City and Strabane District Council: £44,774.50 as joint funding for an Irish Language Officer post.
• Belfast City Council: £44,774.50 as joint funding for an Irish Language Officer post.
• Fermanagh and Omagh District Council: £89,549 as joint funding for two Irish Language Officer Posts.

Services provided through this scheme from 2006 include: an Irish language teaching training programme for council workers, a programme of cultural events and activities, advice and support for council workers and for the public demanding services through Irish and internal translation services.  Welcoming the board’s decision today Foras na Gaeilge CEO, Seán Ó Coinn, said, “The decision made our board follows a consultation process carried out by Foras na Gaeilge in April and May 2017 to hear views on the future of the Irish Language Officers Scheme in local government in the north. It is clear to us that an Irish language officer has a strong influence in the council area and we are delighted that Irish will have more opportunities for development in these local council areas.”

As well as the Irish Language Officers Scheme, grants to the value of €80,524 in total were approved by the Foras na Gaeilge board for the Scholarships Scheme 2018. The grants will be presented to three lead organisations: Conradh na Gaeilge (€35,100), Gael Linn (€24,864) and Cumann na bhFiann (€10,560), as well as Cumann an Phiarsaigh (€10,000) to give young people, adults and families the opportunity to attend Gaeltacht courses in 2018.

Foras na Gaeilge CEO, Seán Ó Coinn, said, “We are happy to announce the Scholarships Scheme 2018 today as this important scheme provides a valuable opportunity to young learners in the north to attend a Gaeltacht course, especially those from a disadvantaged background. The period of immersion in the Gaeltacht is a really positive experience for young pupils, an experience which lays a foundation as they continue to learn Irish as a lifelong process thereafter. We are pleased that we can facilitate this process for the learner.”

Ends

Note to the Editor

About the Irish Language Officers Scheme

In 2006 Foras na Gaeilge established the Irish Language Officers Scheme for councils in Northern Ireland, based on a similar scheme which was in place in the south under Bord na Gaeilge from the mid nineties. Under this scheme joint funding was provided for Irish language officers’ salaries for three years, in conjunction with the local councils on the condition that an action plan be prepared for the council in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge. The following councils managed to reach an agreement under the 2007-2010 scheme:

• Magherafelt District Council & Limavady Borough Council
• Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council and Cookstown District Council
• Derry City Council.

The second scheme was advertised for the 2010-2013 and after that for the 2013-2016 period. The same five councils were operating under the scheme until the boundaries of the councils were changed under the Review of Public Administration in the north. 

About the Scholarships Scheme 2018

The Scholarships Scheme is distributed under three categories:

The Scholarships Scheme 2017 benefited 576 learners; 504 young people, 17 adults and 15 families. Conradh na Gaeilge, Gael Linn, Cumann na bhFiann and Cumann an Phiarsaigh can be contacted regarding the scholarships.

Further information:

Anna Davitt, Programme Manager: Communications, Marketing & Awareness, Foras na Gaeilge

Contact: 0035387 673 6175 | Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie

For the first time in the history of Ireland official national recognition will be bestowed on communities outside of the Gaeltacht who support the daily use of the Irish Language in their community.

Five communities have been chosen: Belfast, Co. Antrim; Loughrea, Co. Galway; Carntogher, Co. Derry; Clondalkin, Co. Dublin; and Ennis, Co. Clare, to submit an application to the Minister to be officially recognised as an ‘Irish Language Network’ community/area.                        

The Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, will bestow the official recognition of an ‘Irish Language Network’ on the communities when an Irish Language Plan, a plan which will be implemented over 5-7 years, has been agreed with the Department for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, and Foras na Gaeilge.

An imaginative public campaign has been created to inspire and encourage communities to use more Irish every day. ‘Gaeilge le Chéile’ -  Three easy steps: Use Irish every day, everywhere, with everyone.

“Simply what we hope to achieve is that more Irish will be heard and seen in our communities through creating and encouraging more opportunities to use Irish every day in our lives, starting with the easy step of using ‘Go raibh maith agat’ and ‘Slán’ every day, everywhere, with everyone.  Our communities will benefit from this planning process and future investment as a result”, Brian Ó Gáibhín, Clondalkin Líonra.

‘Gaeilge le Chéile’ and ‘the Irish Language Networks’ was officially launched on Thursday 22 February 2018 in Croke Park at 11.00 a.m. by special guest Bernard Dunne. Minister Joe McHugh TD was also be in attendance. 

Information:

Brian Ó Gáibhín:  +353-87-2844195 / brian@araschronain.ie

Pádraig Ó Tiarnaigh: +44-77-16690237 / Padraig@cnag.ie

See also: www.glc.ie / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter - @ GaeilgeLC

Appendix 1: 

‘Irish Language Network Status’ GAELTACHT ACT 2012

11.—(1) The Minister may by order designate a specified community, other than a community in a Gaeltacht Language Planning Area or a Gaeltacht area, to be an Irish Language Network.

(2) A community specified in an order made under subsection (1) shall be a community which—

(a) supports the use of the Irish language, and

(b) has agreed to the implementation of an Irish language plan

Appendix 2: 

Foras na Gaeilge will bestow the status of ‘Irish Language Network’ on a community in Northern Ireland, when an Irish Language Plan, a plan which will be implemented over 5-7 years, has been agreed with Foras na Gaeilge.

Scléíp is an inspiring and energetic talent competition for post primary Irish schools. It places emphasis on the contemporary and creative arts and the participants. It gives students the opportunity to bring their music, songs, choreography and new sketches to the stage before professional judges and a live audience around the country!

More Information

Scléip Gallery 2018

Foras na Gaeilge will be sponsoring an award at the Business All Stars 2018. This is a new award that recognizes businesses who use the Irish language as a marketing tool.

The All-Ireland Business Summit will be held in Croke Park on 19th April 2018. 21 awards will be presented on the day, including the All-Star Use of Irish Language Award 2018.

If you have a business that uses Irish on signage or packaging, a website or social media, or even if you have a service to provide through Irish, we recommend you apply!

Please note, although the 12th of February is mentioned, applications will be accepted until next Monday, 19th February.

Further information and the application form is available here.

A new period in the history of Foras na Gaeilge was marked as An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD opened Foras na Gaeilge’s new head office at 63-66 Amiens Street at a special event tonight.  An Taoiseach toured the new offices which include new Raidió na Life studios and was very impressed by the facilities. Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Culture with responsibility for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh TD, accompanied An Taoiseach at the event.

Foras na Gaeilge Chief Executive Seán Ó Coinn said, “I am delighted that we have found a permanent home for our Dublin staff, who had been previously located in two separate offices, especially given the present high demand for office space in the capital. We have now found a long-term office space, close to the city centre and public transport hubs, which will be easily accessible for the public and staff alike. The offices are suitable for the nature of Foras na Gaeilge’s work, and have facilities the public can use. I hope that the city’s Irish language community can make this building their own as they did 7 Merrion Square, and we can therefore create a new history for the building in what is Bliain na Gaeilge 2018 … the beginning of a new era for the Irish language in the capital.”

Ó Coinn gave particular recognition to former Chief Executive Ferdie Mac an Fhailigh, who saw the need for and started the search for a new head office as far back as 2015, and to all, both staff members, board members and others, who had an input into the move to Amiens Street.

A mix of employees, former employees, current and former board members, ministers and departments of state, lead organisations and Irish language organisations as well as organisations based in the area attended the launch of the head office of the all-island organisation in Dublin 1. Gráinne McElwain, television producer and presenter and current board member of Foras na Gaeilge, lead the proceedings as bean an tí. Award winning Irish language band IMLÉ brought the event to a close with a special performance of the song Críochfort, which won Song of the Year at Nós Music Awards 2017.

Notes to the editor:

About Foras na Gaeilge

Foras na Gaeilge, the body responsible for the promotion of the Irish language throughout the whole island of Ireland, was founded on the second day of December 1999.

In the Good Friday Agreement, it was stated that a North/South Implementation body be set up to promote both the Irish language and the Ulster Scots language. Under the auspices of this body, Foras na Gaeilge carries out all the designated responsibilities regarding the Irish language. This entails facilitating and encouraging the speaking and writing of Irish in the public and private arena in the Republic of Ireland, and in Northern Ireland where there is appropriate demand, in the context of part three of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages. The staff of Bord na Gaeilge, An Gúm (Publishers), and An Coiste Téarmaíochta (Terminology Committee) and their activities have all been transferred to the new body.

Foras na Gaeilge is proud of its role in advising administrations, North and South, as well as public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors in all matters relating to the Irish language as well as the supportive projects it undertakes with grant-aiding bodies and groups throughout the island of Ireland.

About 63-66 Amiens Street

Since Foras na Gaeilge was established the cross-border body’s head office was in the premises previously occupied by Bord na Gaeilge at 7 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Bord na Gaeilge came to an end when Foras na Gaeilge was established in 1999, and Bord na Gaeilge staff transferred to Foras na Gaeilge. The old Georgian house on Merrion Square had a long history and some staff members were based there from 1981 until Dublin staff transferred to 63-66 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, in October 2017.

The facilities at 63-66 Amiens Street include the innovative radio studios of the Raidió na Life, 106.4fm, and a venue where Foras na Gaeilge and Irish language organisations will hold events.

Clúid Housing was based at 63-66 Amiens Street in recent years and is now based on Sheriff Street Lower, Dublin 1.

About IMLÉ:

IMLÉ is an unconventional band with a unique sound arising out of the diverse backgrounds of the three singers. Poetry, rap and pop are woven together in the band’s sound in a new style not heard before – especially through Irish. The otherworldly voice of Ferghal Moloney is mixed with the lithe addictive rapping of MC Muipéad.

‘To create something different, uncompromising and honest’; this was the band’s mission statement when the bass guitarist Cian Mac Cárthaigh first set up the band, and their first album looks at the big questions in life: the meaning of life, our relationship with the planet and finding hope in hopelessness.

Further information:

Anna Davitt, Programme Manager: Communications, Marketing & Awareness, Foras na Gaeilge

Tel: 0035387 673 6175    

Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie