The focal.ie website will be relaunched at Oireachtas na Samhna in Killarney, as part of Foras na Gaeilge’s dictionary-related events at the festival. The new version of focal.ie is a gateway website of Contemporary Irish Vocabulary, listing all the words that can be found in the principal reference sources, from the time of the implementation of the Official Standard (an Caighdeán Oifigiúil) to the present day. The user can simply click to view the relevant evidence from any of these sources.

"focal.ie is geared towards the Irish language exclusively," says Pádraig Ó Mianáin, Foras na Gaeilge’s Lexicography Editor. "Anyone who’s interested in Irish words will be interested in the comprehensive information which is now being made available on one website – what words are in use, their meanings, where they can be found, when they came into use, and so on. focal.ie is the perfect site for sharing such information, and we’re very pleased that it’s being launched at such an important Irish-language festival."

The new website is an index to the Irish words which can be found in six major sources: in Ó Dónaill’s Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla, in tearma.ie, in the terminology databases of gaois.ie and in the monolingual Irish dictionary An Foclóir Beag; together with the primary Irish translations from the New English-Irish Dictionary (focloir.ie) and from de Bhaldraithe’s English-Irish Dictionary. Additionally, frequency data for the words from the New Corpus for Ireland is provided. 

"focal.ie is a preparatory step for the development of the Irish-Irish and Irish-English dictionaries which are the aim of Foras na Gaeilge when the current dictionary is published in printed form in 2020," says Seán Ó Coinn, CEO of Foras na Gaeilge. "There are many exciting potential developments for the website in the future, for example by the addition of lists of words from specific dialects, or links to other relevant sources. We also plan to offer crowdsourcing opportunities to the public to submit words, senses or comments to the site."

Dublin City University’s Fiontar is also a participant in this new version of focal.ie, with the terminology databases on Fiontar’s gaois.ie website. "This is a partnership which benefits all parties", says Professor Ciarán Mac Murchaidh, Head of School for Fiontar and Scoil na Gaeilge in DCU, who will officially launch the site at the Oireachtas festival. "It’s through the avenue of terminology that many of the new words in Irish are being composed and circulated, and it’s a tremendous facility for the user to have these two major terminology sites and  the dictionary websites side-by-side. We see this as another opportunity to place the valuable asset that is gaois.ie at centre stage, alongside the other major Irish-language sources.”

Focal.ie will be launched at 4.00 p.m today in the Torc Suite, Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney at Oireachtas na Samhna 2018.

The event will streamed live on Foras na Gaeilge’s Facebook page.

Further Information:

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

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

SEIMINEÁR: DO GHAIRM le gaeilge

ARNA EAGRÚ AG FORAS NA GAEILGE

Dé Sathairn, 3 Samhain in Aonach an Oireachtais idir 1-2pm

Painéal Cainte

Aindriú de Paor: Is as Carraig na Siúire i gCo Thiobraid Árann d'Aindriú de Paor. Tá sé ag obair mar láithreoir, tuairisceoir agus mar chúntóir léirithe in RTÉ le os cionn dhá bhliain. Oibríonn sé leis na stáisúin RTÉ Radio 1, RTÉ 2FM, RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta agus RTÉ Pulse. Cloistear go minic é ar Raidió na Life agus ar Newstalk chomh maith.

Ciara Ní É: Is Bleáthcliathach í Ciara Ní É. Bhain sí BA i nGaeilge agus Béarla amach i gColáiste na Tríonóide, agus MA i 'Scríobh agus Cumarsáid na Gaeilge' i gColáiste na hOllscoile, BÁC. Is scríbhneoir í (Nós, Comhar, Poetry Ireland) agus is í a reachtálann REIC, oíche filíochta agus cheoil a thugann sí timpeall na tíre agus chuig féiltí éagsúla (IMRAM, Féile na Gealaí, Body and Soul, Electric Picnic). Roghnaíodh í don scéim 'Introductions' de chuid Poetry Ireland, agus do Scéim Meantóireachta Fhoras na Gaeilge, agus faoi láthair na huaire tá sí ag díriú ar dhráma a chríochnú. Chaith Ciara an bhliain seo caite i Meiriceá ar ghradam Fulbright ag múineadh Gaeilge in ollscoil Villanova, agus scríobh sí faoina taithí do RTÉ ar líne.

Bean an Tí

Sinéad Ní Uallacháin: Raidió na Gaeltachta,  TG4, Beo ar Éigean

PRESS RELEASE

Foras na Gaeilge announces 2019 tour

25 October 2018

Foras na Gaeilge is pleased to announce a series of information nights to promote funded schemes available from the north/south Irish language body in 2019. The first will take place at Aonach an Oireachtais at Oireachtas na Samhna in Killarney on 2 November.  At these nights Foras na Gaeilge will share information on the organisation’s work, its funding scheme and the supports available. The public will have an opportunity to give feedback on the use and promotion of Irish in their own area.

 Foras na Gaeilge Chief Executive, Seán Ó Coinn said, “We have recognised certain areas north and south where the number of applications to various funding schemes has been relatively low in recent years. To tackle this, visits were organised in February and November 2017 to speak with the public in these areas with the aim of raising awareness of the opportunities for funding and support available. These sessions were very beneficial as the participants shared valuable feedback with us which we have taken on board. We look forward to engaging with the public again with this third series of visits to present the 2019 funding schemes.“

Among the schemes to be discussed are the Youth Activities Scheme, the Summer Camps Scheme and writing schemes. Foras na Gaeilge will also provide funding in the business, arts, media and publishing sectors. Visit the Foras na Gaeilge website, www.forasnagaeilge.ie/sceimeanna, for a full list of the available schemes.

Foras na Gaeilge will present the following sessions in the coming weeks:

* Ends *

About Foras na Gaeilge

Foras na Gaeilge was founded under the Good Friday Agreement and are responsible for the following:

• promotion of the Irish language;
• facilitating and encouraging its use in speech and writing in public and private life in the South and, in the context of Part III of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages, in Northern Ireland where there is appropriate demand;
• advising both administrations, public bodies and other groups in the private and voluntary sectors;
• undertaking supportive projects, and grant-aiding bodies and groups as considered necessary;
• undertaking research, promotional campaigns, and public and media relations;
• developing terminology and dictionaries;
• supporting Irish-medium education and the teaching of Irish.

Further information:

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

Tel: 0035387 673 6175    

Email: adavitt@forasnagaeilge.ie

Colm Ó hArgáin, Higher Executive Officer: Education, Foras na Gaeilge

Tel: 00353 1 639 8400

Email: cohargain@forasnagaeilge.ie

Press Release

Foras na Gaeilge celebrates Irish language officers in councils in the north

Foras na Gaeilge, the cross-border body with responsibility for the promotion of the Irish language, celebrated on Tuesday 9 October 2018 the four newly-appointed Irish language officers in three council areas in the north with part funding from Foras na Gaeilge under the Irish Language Officers Scheme at an event in Belfast City Hall. 

Belfast City Council have appointed their first ever Irish language officer in line with the council’s language strategy. Derry City and Strabane District Council have appointed their second Irish language officer and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have appointed two Irish language officers through the current scheme.

There are nine Irish language officers currently in post in five councils across the north, four of which are funded by Foras na Gaeilge under this scheme.

Chief Executive of Belfast City Council, Suzanne Wylie, welcomed the new Irish language officers and guests to the event and emphasised the important role that the Irish language plays in the linguistic and cultural diversity of the city of Belfast. She also welcomed the developments Belfast City Council have made regarding languages, in particular the launch of the council’s language strategy 2018-2023, recognising the financial support received from Foras na Gaeilge.

Foras na Gaeilge Deputy Chief Executive, Edel Ní Chorráin acknowledged the historic importance of the event, in particular for Belfast City Council in appointing their first Irish language officer, “With the Irish language being discussed in the public arena perhaps more so than ever before in the north, new opportunities are emerging with a growing public interest in the Irish language and culture and with this come new opportunities.  With those opportunities of course come challenges but we welcome the steps taken by these councils in appointing Irish language officers.” 

Also speaking at the event was Dr David Mitchell, Assistant Professor in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation at Trinity College Dublin and co-author of Reconciliation through language learning? A case study of the Turas Irish language project in East Belfast who is based in Belfast. In his journal he emphasises the possibilities of the Irish language to be a unifying factor in Northern Ireland:

Since language learning is naturally accompanied by encounter with the history of the language, it can open a space for the discovery of shared historical experiences, or revision of narrow or destructive understandings of history.

At the same event Conradh na Gaeilge Advocacy Manager Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, in conjunction with the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ), launched research on the Irish language in local councils, including Language Profiles 2018 which documents the community, educational and social provision in each of the 11 local councils. Speaking on the research, he said, “The Language Profiles, launched as an appendix to the research published by Conradh na Gaeilge today, shows some of the fantastic on-going work in relation to the Irish language across local councils. They also show, however, huge gaps in community support and provision across several councils. The research clearly shows that there are several councils that have failed to recognise or implement their duties relating to the Irish language, as detailed in both local and international law. We want to work with those councils going forward through drawing on the best-practice approach of other councils.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Deirdre Hargey, closed the event officially and reaffirmed her ongoing support for a Belfast for all with her focus being on rights for all citizens in the city, including women’s rights to healthcare, LGBT rights and rights for Irish speakers.

Ends

Note for the editor:

About the Irish Language Officers Scheme

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 is jointly funding Irish language officers’ posts in the following councils over the 3 year period of the current 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 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.

There are currently five council areas which now have Irish language officers in post since the inception of the scheme:

• Belfast City Council
• Derry City and Strabane District Council
• Fermanagh and Omagh District Council
• Newry, Mourne and Down District Council*
• Mid Ulster Council

* The Irish language officers of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council were independent of the Foras na Gaeilge scheme.

Further information:

Caoimhe Ní Chathail, Foras na Gaeilge: cnichathail@forasnagaeilge.ie │ 028 (048) 9089 0970

Photographs:

Jim Corr Photography

Invitation to tender to review the Slí Cholmcille website and produce a plan to enhance visitor experience and the provision of information to them

Foras na Gaeilge wishes to carry out a scoping exercise and to develop proposals to enhance the Slí Cholmcille (St Columba Trail) website in time for 2021, the 1,500th anniversary of St Colmcille’s birth. This will require editorial skills relevant to the heritage sector, and an understanding of the online presentation of texts, visual images, and other digital material.

When the review is complete, and depending on resources, we hope to issue a further invitation to tender for the development of the website. 

Background to Slí Cholmcille

Slí Cholmcille links Ireland and Scotland with a series of trails linked to St Colmcille and other early Christian saints. There are four main strands in the Slí:

• Heritage
• Language
• Community (including Irish and Scottish Gaelic speaking communities)
• Tourism

Slí Cholmcille is a project of Colmcille, a partnership between Foras na Gaeilge and its Scottish counterpart, Bòrd na Gàidhlig. Foras na Gaeilge is administering the website on behalf of both organisations. The website is trilingual in Irish, Scottish Gaelic and English.

The material and images on the website at present are high quality (see www.colmcille.org). Foras na Gaeilge does not intend to build the site from scratch. They wish to adapt the website and organise the material so that:

• it will meet a range of visitor needs, giving an overview for a general visitors, and more detailed information when required;
• it more clearly relates to partner organisations in the heritage, commmunity and tourism and community sectors (including Irish and Scottish Gaelic speaking communities);
• it includes new locations which have been identified as important, and information which has come to light since the original website was set up;
• it is easier to navigate for visitors and is accessible from mobile devices.
• content management systems are effective and easy for Foras na Gaeilge to use.

Developments from 2012

Since the website was launched in 2012 significant changes have been applied. These include:

• The addition of Google maps
• the re-editing of some sections, for example the section on Iona, to keep the website up-to-date with contemporary research
• The building of links with local communities, including partnership in the production of local maps and leaflets, for example in Gleann Cholm Cille, the city of Derry and the Isle of Lewis.

Developments in archaeology and community involvement

Since the website has been established interest in early Christian saints and sites associated with them has risen considerably, and there have been significant developments in archaeology and medieval studies. For example, local communities are working in partnership with archaeologists in Díseart Cholmcille in the Bluestacks, at Drumhome in South Donegal, in Inishowen and in the the Outer Hebrides.  Some of this work has influenced the material on the website, but other work, particularly on sites not yet on the Slí, has yet to be included. This will require additional mapping and content. 

Fulfilment of the contract

To fulfill the contract, the successful candidate will do the following:

• determine what additional material is required
• determine how best to produce the material and edit it
• determine how the website can best provide information to visitors, and community and heritage organisations through

1. a landing page or pages, which could be for specific regions or themes, such as heritage, archaeology, tourism or communities
2. a mapping system which can be used to navigate through the website. Note that there is a Google Maps system which can be used at present, but not from the landing page.

• determine how best to use social media. Slí Cholmcille has a webpage, but it is not at present accessible from the website
• produce initial proposals, in consultation with Foras na Gaeilge, and based on the review for enhancing and editing the website
• provide a plan of how best to find and organise the information on the website
• provide examples of how the text might be edited in different sections of the website. The examples will include text and images, layout and a pathway from a landing page or pages, to the most detailed information

Essential criteria

Experience of:

• Editing text, including online text, and images
• Adapting online material for mobile devices and computers
• Devising online material and adapting and editing material to make it accessible to a range of target groups 

Desirable criteria

• Experience and skill in editing material in Irish and/or Scottish Gaelic 

The candidate should provide the following:

• A CV and evidence of work they have carried out, for example a letter of recommendation from a client
• A work Schedule. The work should be completed by 14 December 2018
• Cost of work. The cost of work should be detailed 

The tender and items above must be received by Foras na Gaeilge by 15th October 2018 at the following address:

Tenders,

Colmcille

Foras na Gaeilge

Teach an Gheata Thiar

2-4 Queen Street

Belfast

BT1 6ED

Assessment criteria

If  more information is required contact

Colmcille

Foras na Gaeilge

Westgate House

2-4 Queen Street

BELFAST

BT1 6ED

We are  looking forward to being at the gradireland Careers Fair on Wednesday 3 October as part of the Do Ghairm le Gaeilge campaign.

This campaign is aimed at graduates and aims to:

• encourage graduates with competence in Irish to mention it on their CV when they are applying to jobs
• use their Irish in the jobs they will have in the future
• choose postgraduate courses through Irish
• apply for jobs in the Irish language sector.

Foras na Gaeilge is pleased to provide the 2019 edition of the booklet Do Ghairm le Gaeilge online, which will be a valuable resource for 3rd level educators and students. The booklet gives an insight into the different training and employment opportunities available to graduates who have fluent Irish. As well as a comprehensive list of resources and courses, practical advice is available in the booklet from PEIG.ie on setting out a CV and hints on getting a job with Irish.

18 videos are now available online in which our career ambassadors describe the advantage the Irish language gave them in their work life. Síomha Ní Ruairc, Coordinator of the Year of Irish 2018 and Micheál Ó Ciaraidh, television presenter with TG4 are among the career ambassadors giving us an insight to their work experience until now.  

Foras na Gaeilge and PEIG.ie will be available to speak with students about different training, employment and voluntary opportunities available through Irish from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 3 October at the gradireland Careers Fair in the RDS in Dublin. Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh (Foras na Gaeilge board member and RTÉ broadcaster) and other guests will be with us again to discuss employment and recruitment and to share practical advice with those present at 2.30 p.m.

To join us on the day register for gradireland Careers Fair free here.

Invitation to Tender

The Service to be provided

Tenders are invited for services to cover the following requirements related to An Gúm’s printing schedules:

• To prepare full printer specifications for each publication as required, including details of paper type, quality and weight, binding, cover and finishing.
• To prepare any additional technical specifications as required from time to time.
• Services to include discussion and advice to editorial staff regarding design and layout of the publication, selection of typefaces and other advice in relation to technical or design issues as may be sought and to advise regarding:

-      preparation of a print schedule for new publications

-      preparation of a print schedule for reprints.

• To engage with adminstrative and editorial staff in the evaluation of tenders and in the recommendations for the award of printing contracts.
• To make sure that all origination, printer disks and files are appropriately returned to An Gúm for storage as soon as possible after printing.
• To monitor the proofs in conjunction with editorial staff and to perform a quality control check on page proofs, pre-print proofs and advance copies and to make final recommendations in deeming material ‘passed for press’.
• To liaise where appropriate, and in consultation with administrative and editorial staff, with the printing contractor to ensure the successful completion of the contract according to the agreed schedule and to act promptly to deal with any difficulties or issues that may arise during the printing process.

The Layout of the Tender

Tenders should include the following:

• A detailed description of the tenderer’s competency to compete for the contract including details of technical expertise and qualifications in the area of print production and experience of work carried out in this area.
• Financial status of tenderer, i.e. whether a sole trader, limited company etc. Specifications regarding Tax Clearance Certification will be required in the case of the contract being awarded to the Tenderer.
• Taking into account the tasks described in the foregoing a unit price (including details of VAT, where appropriate) for:

1. New Publications
2. Reprints

Delivery of Tender

Tenders can be sent by post or e-mail to:

Seosamh Ó Murchú

Senior Editor

An Gúm

Foras na Gaeilge

63-66 Sráid Amiens

Dublin 1

 somurchu@forasnagaeilge.ie

Envelopes and message subject lines should be marked ‘Print Production Services’.

Tenders should be received not later that 5.00 p.m. on Friday, 28 September 2018.

Queries in relation to the process can also be submitted to the above.

The contract will be awarded for a maximum of three years.

Foras na Gaeilge reserve the right not to award a contract in the event of no suitable tender being received and Foras na Gaeilge will have the final say in the awarding of any contract for the services outlined.

Tá tairiscintí á lorg ag Foras na Gaeilge i gcomhair chonraitheoir maidir le comhordú agus forbairt a dhéanamh ar na suíomhanna gréasáin www.gaeilge.ie & www.forasnagaeilge.ie  agus ar láithreacht Fhoras na Gaeilge ar na meáin shóisialta don tréimhse Deireadh Fómhair 2018 go Deireadh Fómhair 2019.

Ní mór dhá chóip chrua de na cáipéisí iarratais (Litir chumhdaigh, foirm iarratais agus cv) a sheoladh chuig Anna Davitt, Clárbhainisteoir: Cumarsáid, Margaíocht & Feasacht, Foras na Gaeilge, 63-66 Sráid Amiens, Baile Átha Cliath 1 roimh 1.00 p.m. ar an 5 Meán Fómhair 2018.

Iarraidh ar thairiscintí do chomhordú agus forbairt ar shuíomhanna gréasáin

Foirm iarratais

The Irish language has a central role in the activities of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Drogheda. 2018 has been designated as Bliain na Gaeilge and we are proud to present a very full programme of events. Seachtain na Gaeilge features a wide range of activities for all age groups and all abilities: Irish classes, dancing classes, historical walking tours, lectures, song-writing workshop, fun for all the family, quiz, treasure hunt, Pop up Gaeltacht and music and song in Irish on the gig rig etc.. The Coiste Gaeilge na Fleidhe is very grateful to Foras na Gaeilge for their generous sponsorship of the programme of events for Seachtain na Gaeilge and all are welcome to attend the official launch of the programme of events for Seachtain na Gaeilge on Tuesday at 5pm in the Highlanes Gallery.

SnaG Program