Foras na Gaeilge requests the pleasure of your company at its headquarters, 63-66 Amiens Street, Dublin 1 at 6 p.m. on the 31 July to celebrate the European literary project Other Words. Other words supported writers who work in Irish, Basque, Macedonian and Slovenian.

Foras na Gaeilge would like to begin a public consultation of the Irish language media sector, both print and online media.

We would like to hear the public's opinion and there is a copy of the cunsultation document below:

Consultation of the Irish media sector

At a Foras na Gaeilge board meeting on the 14 June 2019, in the Foras na Gaeilge offices in Ráth Chairn, Co. Meath, grants to the value of €427,805 were approved in the areas of youth, writing and publishing.

Grants worth €247,825 were approved for the Youth Activities Scheme 2019/20, which gives opportunities for use to young people, which encourages them to use the Irish language in an enjoyable way. The grants will enable the grantees to organise at least 12 sessions during the school year focusing on young people between 3 years and 18 years old outside of school. It is estimated that more than 4,000 children will take part in the activities.

In the area of publishing €140,480 worth of commissions were approved for the 2019 Commissions Scheme to support those involved in Irish language literature in catering for the demand in the various areas of reading. As well as the grants in the area of publishing, €39,500 worth of grants will be awarded to potential new writers and mentors under the Mentoring Scheme 2019. This scheme gives a valuable opportunity to writers at the start of their writing career to get advice about their writing and the craft of writing in general from recognised writers.

Foras na Gaeilge chief executive, Seán Ó Coinn, said, “The big demand for the Youth Activities Scheme from year to year and the dedication of applicants in terms of providing opportunities to young people to use Irish socially outside of school is a source of optimism for me. We are concerned, however, that the fund for this scheme has been reduced by 26% and that we will not be able to support the same number of grantees. Foras na Gaeilge funding has been greatly reduced since the time of the economic crisis and the funding has not increased since then.

As for the Mentoring Scheme, it is also a source of optimism for us that there are new writers coming forward wishing to improve their craft through the Mentoring Scheme. There has been a growth in recent years in Irish language publishing, especially in the genre of children’s books, and we hope that the writers who are benefiting from this scheme will be stepping forward as Irish language writers in the years ahead.”

Ends

Further Information

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

Tel: 0035387 673 6175    

Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie

The heritage of Colmcille or Columba was celebrated at a special event in the Music Room in Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday 8 June, the eve of the Feast of Colmcille. 2020-21 will be the 1500th anniversary of Colmcille’s birth, and the night gave a taste in Irish and in English of that heritage internationally and in Dublin itself.

Colmcille is a partnership programme between Foras na Gaeilge and Bòrd na Gàidhlig, which promotes the use of Irish and Scottish Gaelic in Ireland and in Scotland and between the two countries. Foras na Gaeilge organised the event in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta, Donegal County Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, and Oideas Gael, and as part of the Colmcille partnership programme between Foras na Gaeilge and Bòrd na Gaeilge in Scotland.

Foras na Gaeilge chief executive, Seán Ó Coinn, said, “Tonight, the 8 June, is the eve of the Feast of Saint Colmcille or Columba. He died in Iona in Scotland on 9 June. Ever since people have been commemorating Colmcille. At midnight tonight people will be walking and praying on the Colmcille pilgrimage in Gleann Cholm Cille and in Gartan. There will be celebration in many places in Donegal and in Colmcille’s beloved Derry. There no figure in history that better reveals the links between the Irish language community in Ireland and the Scottish Gaelic community in Scotland, as well as our shared heritage.

This event tonight is being organised by Foras na Gaeilge, conjunction with Bòrd na Gaeilge in Scotland, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Donegal County Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, and Oideas Gael. I would like to thank all these, and their representatives here tonight. I would especially like to thank the dean and board of Christ Church Cathedral for providing us this historic venue which has a link to Colmcille, and Canon Gary Hastings for kindly welcoming us. I would like to particularly thank Dr Brian Lacey who has done so much to bring to light the history and legacy of Saint Colmcille for much more than twenty years, Gearóidín Bhreathnach, the storyteller and singer from Rann na Feirste, and Dr Ann Buckley from Trinity College and the singers from Amra Schola who we will hear tonight.”

At events on the 20 and 21 May 2019 in Tralee Education Centre awards were presented to some of the 1,352 children who created, designed and published their own books in Irish as part of the Foras na Gaeilge Scríobh Leabhar (Write a Book) project in County Kerry. The former GAA player and winner of Dancing with the Stars Aidan O’Mahony was in attendance as special guest on the night to celebrate their achievement with the children.

In total this year 120 schools and more than 7,000 children took part in the project and more than 4,000 books were written. Similar events will be held in coming weeks to celebrate what young pupils throughout the country have achieved. Foras na Gaeilge organises Scríobh Leabhar in conjunction with some education centres: Clare Education Centre, West Cork Education Centre, Dublin West Education Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon Education Centre, Laois Education Centre, Tralee Education Centre, Kilkenny Education Centre, Cork Education Support Centre, Gort an Choirce Teachers’ Centre in Donegal and An tÁisaonad in Belfast.

More than 50,000 pupils have taken part in Scríobh Leabhar since it was set up in the 2006/2007 school year. Not only do pupils write their own book as part of this project but they also have the opportunity to read and discuss stories by children from other schools.  It gives an exciting opportunity to children to express their feelings through Irish. As well as that, it fosters cooperation between school communities and makes the children aware of the concept of peer review and it especially fosters creativity and a holistic approach to child development. Teachers also have a central role in Scríobh Leabhar, and they are given in-service training to help them help the children in their efforts. 

“Scríobh Leabhar gives an opportunity to young children to show their ability, their creativity and their enthusiasm for Irish from a very young age. One of the aims of Foras na Gaeilge is for young people to have opportunities to speak and write and this aim is clearly achieved by Scríobh Leabhar. There has been a great deal achieved when you look at the number of children and schools that have taken part in the project since it was started more than ten years ago”, said Seán Ó Coinn, Foras na Gaeilge CEO. “We are indebted to the Tralee Education Centre and all the other centres for taking part again this year. The centres deserve fulsome praise, as do the children and teachers for the exponential growth of the project”, he said.

AN TAIBHDHEARC & ABBEY THEATRE

Present a major new Abbey Theatre Commission

BAOITE

By DARACH MAC CON IOMAIRE

A fishing family in the west of Ireland leads a desperate fight to defend their coastal community from the imminent threat of offshore fracking. But the constant pressure of campaigning mounts and hidden fractures appear in the once-solid clan, as lies, legacies, deceit and ultimate betrayal destroy the community.

This tense thriller traces the silence, shame, and lies at the heart of the Irish psyche, through the eyes of activist Cáit. Cáit is 38. Cáit wants children. Her third attempt at IVF has just failed. Burdened with debt, she now faces selling out her community to get what she wants...

  
Cast includes Máirtín Jaimsie Ó Flaithearta (AN KLONDIKE), Diarmuid De Faoite (CORP + ANAM), Sorcha Ní Chéide (PURSUIT), and Eoin Ó Dubhghaill (GRACE HARTE), featuring an original soundtrack performed live by Saileog Ní Cheannabháin (RAELACH RECORDS) and Maitiú Ó Casaide (TG4 Young Musician of the Year ‘15). Set design by artist Seán Ó Flaithearta. Written & directed by Darach Mac Con Iomaire.

Performed in Irish with English subtitles

In association with:

Foras Na Gaeilge | Dublin City Council | Galway City Council

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS PLEASE CONTACT: Ciara Ní É, Publicity, An Taibhdhearc on miseciara@gmail.com

FOR TICKETS PLEASE CONTACT: Róisín McGann, Press Manager, Abbey Theatre on roisin.mcgann@abbeytheatre.ie

NOTES TO EDITORS

LISTINGS
Dates: 17 - 25 May 2019

Free First Preview: 17 May 2019

Opening night: 20 May 2019

Times: 8pm ( Matinee on 25 May at 2.30pm)

Booking: abbeytheatre.ie

CREDITS

Cáit: Sorcha Ní Chéide

Tom: Diarmuid De Faoite

Pat: Máirtín Jaimsie Ó Flaithearta

Simon: Eoin Ó Dubhghaill

Written & Directed by: Darach Mac Con Iomaire

Set Design: Seán Ó Flaithearta

Costume Design: Clíodhna Hallissey

Lighting Design: Susan Collins & Matt Burke

Live Music: Saileog Ní Cheannabháin

Live Music: Maitiú Ó Casaide

Music/Sound Design: Steve Lynch

Sound Engineering: Joe Bean

Stage Manager: Úna Ní Fhlatharta

Rigger: Eoghan Ó Giobúin

Set Construction: Gavin Morgan

Publicity: Ciara Ní É

Production Manager: Féilim Ó hAoláin

The Abbey Theatre gratefully acknowledges the support of

The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon

The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

2 p.m. Dé hAoine an 10 Bealtaine 2019

Ó Pháirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha go Gartán

Beidh siúlóid ar Shlí Cholmcille Dé hAoine an 10 Bealtaine 2019 go Gartán, an áit ar saolaíodh Naomh Colmcille. Beidh Bláthnaid Rua Ní Chofaigh ó RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta ar an tsiúlóid, agus í ag cur spéis i mbeatha an naoimh agus sa chomóradh atá ag teacht ó 2020 go dtí 2021 ar 1500 bliain ó saolaíodh Colmcille. Beidh  an staraí agus seandálaí Brian Lacey ann le scéalta ar Cholmcille agus le heolas faoin tseandálaíocht. Áirítear Colmcille mar aon le Bríd agus Pádraig mar thrí naomhphátrún na hÉireann, agus tá ómós ar leith do Cholmcille  in Éirinn agus in Albain. Nascann Slí Cholmcille (www.colmcille.org) áiteanna in Éirinn agus in Albain a bhfuil baint acu le Colmcille agus a chuid mainistreacha. Tá an tsiúlóid á heagrú ag an chlár Colmcille de chuid Fhoras na Gaeilge i gcomhar le RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

Tosóidh an tsiúlóid ag 2 p.m. Dé hAoine an 10 Bealtaine i gcarrchlós Pháirc Náisiúnta Ghleann Bheatha agus críochnóidh sí ar láthair bhreithe Cholmcille i nGartán. Beidh bus ar fáil chun pilleadh ar Ghleann Bheatha ina dhiaidh sin. Mairfidh an tsiúlóid féin tuairim is dhá uair an chloig. Tá cosán maith siúil ann, ach moltar do dhaoine bróga díonmhara agus cóta fearthainne a thabhairt leo.  Iarrtar ar dhaoine €3 a thabhairt leo le haghaidh chostas an bhus.

Eolas: Aodh Mac Ruairí amacruairi@forasnagaeilge.ie, fón 074 95 60113

At the third meeting of 2019 on Friday 26 April, during the West Waterford Food Festival in Rinn Ó gCuanach, the Foras na Gaeilge board approved grants worth €358,754.

Grants were approved for 71 summer camps running throughout the island during the summer. The Summer Camps Scheme 2019, which was announced earlier this year, will give the opportunity to young people between three and eighteen years of age to attend sports, drama, dancing, music and filming activities as well as trips. Grants worth €148,065, each a maximum of €2,500 or £1,750, have been approved for 71 separate camps this year.

Foras na Gaeilge provides funding support each year to community committees to establish new nursery school provision or nurseries through the Investment Fund for the Establishment of Preschool Provision and Childcare scheme. Grants were approved through this fund for Gaelscoil Aodha Dhuibh (£73,000) in Carryduff and Cúram Leanaí na Fuiseoige (£73,000) in Belfast.

As well as summer camps and nursery schools, €48,467 worth of grants were approved for major arts events running throughout the island during 2019. These include an Fhéile Náisiúnta Dhrámaíochta (€14,500), Féile an Phobail (£8,000) and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (€5,500). These are major events which aim to promote the Irish language and language-based Irish language arts through the medium of Irish or bilingually.

Foras na Gaeilge Chief Executive Seán Ó Coinn said, “We very much welcomed the opportunity to have a board meeting at the West Waterford Food Festival, a festival which Foras na Gaeilge has supported this year through the Festivals Scheme 2019. There were representatives from Waterford City and County Council and Pleanáil Teanga na nDéise present at various sessions and cooperation between us has been put on a strong footing for the future. As for the funding approved at the meeting, I have no doubt but that the grants will have a positive influence on the use of Irish among young people again this year. There is the same demand for the Summer Camps Scheme from year to year but it is a cause of regret for us that it is not in our power to support all eligible applications due to a lack of money, especially in view of the interest and commitment shown by the groups organising the camps.”

Ends

Further Information:

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

Tel: 0035387 673 6175    

Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie

How does Foras na Gaeilge support publishing?

Foras na Gaeilge promotes reading and publishing primarily through An Gúm, Áis and Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge. Through Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, Irish language publishers are supported through the Publishing Scheme, and Irish language writers are supported through the writing schemes.

An Gúm provides publications and facilities which support education through Irish and the use of Irish in general. Today An Gúm mainly deals with lexicography, publishing textbooks and school facilities and reading material for young people. Foras na Gaeilge has a particular legislative duty in regard to these matters.

The Áisíneacht Dáiliúchan Leabhar (ÁIS) (the Books Distribution Agency) was set up in 1980 to distribute Irish language publications nationally and internationally. Áis provides a distribution service for Irish language publishers and ensures a supply of Irish language books on the market.

Major Publishing Awards

The 2019 Major Publishing Awards are organised by Foras na Gaeilge in conjunction with the Irish language Lead Organisation An tOireachtas. Later this year Gradam Uí Shúilleabháin (Book of the Year for Adult Readers) and Gradam Réics Carló (Book of the Year for Young Readers) will be awarded to Irish language publishers and authors.

These major awards will give recognition to good practice, to creativity and to presentation at all levels of the process of preparing a book for the market.

Portráidí.ie

Portráidí na Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge is a multistage and continuous project organised in conjunction with Comhar. 

Portráidí na Scríbhneoirí Gaeilge is a live collection of contemporary Irish language writers based on the work of Máire Uí Mhaicín. The current collection contains portraits of over 136 writers. You can view the collection on portraidi.ie.

Which schemes support publishing?

Through Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, Foras na Gaeilge provides support for both Irish language publishers and writers through the following schemes:

• The Publishing Scheme
• The Commissions Scheme
• The Mentoring Scheme
• The Literary Projects Scheme

Further information on the schemes can be found here.

Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge also caters for our youngest authors. Scríobh Leabhar is a project to foster Irish language writing and reading among primary school children. Around 8,000 participate in this project each year and a selection of their achievements can be seen on the site www.scríobhleabhar.ie.

Further information

Further information on the support Foras na Gaeilge provides to the the arts is available in the booklet Time for Publishing.

A full list of Foras na Gaeilge schemes can be found here.

Seolfaidh Uachtarán na hOllscoile, an tOllamh Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, an seachtú heagrán den iris phiarmheasúnaithe Léann Teanga: An Reiviú ag 5.00i.n. Dé Céadaoin, an 1 Bealtaine 2019 i dTéatar Chearbhalláin, Áras na Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.

Foilsítear An Reiviú mar chuid den chúrsa MA sa Léann Teanga le hAcadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh.  Is foilseachán bliantúil é seo a thugann ardán don dioscúrsa teanga in Éirinn agus thar lear.

Bronnfaidh Pól Ó Gallchóir, Cathaoirleach Fhoras na Gaeilge, Scoláireacht Mhic Dhonncha i gcuimhne ar Joe Mac Donncha (1953-2016) ag an ócáid chéanna agus bronnfar freisin Gradam Fhoras na Gaeilge ar na scoláirí a ghnóthaigh an marc ab airde don togra aistriúcháin i mbliain na céime de chuid an BA i Léann an Aistriúcháin.

Beidh sólaistí ar fáil agus cuirfear fáilte chroíúil roimh chách.

Tuilleadh eolais ar fáil  ag  reiviuleannteanga@oegaillimh.ie