Irish Language Week, or Seachtain na Gaeilge got off to a great start on Monday 3rd March in Donegal in Gaoth Dobhair Library at 11.00am. The festival takes place between 1 - 17 March 2014 and a wide range of events is planned for County Donegal during the festival. The festival events were officially launched by Cllr. Terence Slowey, Chairperson of the Glenties Electoral Area Committee. After he officially launched the events, those present were treated to a performance of our rich Gaeltacht heritage in song, music and recitation by pupils from Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair. Gaoth Dobhair library is a Gaeltacht library which carries out all its business in the Irish language, and was an ideal setting for the launch.
Seachtain na Gaeilge is an international Irish-language festival promoting the use of Irish language and culture, both at home and abroad, running over a fortnight in March every year. The festival has built up incredible momentum in recent years, becoming the largest celebration of our native language and culture held every year. The festival gives absolutely everyone a chance to enjoy the Irish language, be they native Irish speakers, language learners or those with only a few words.
Speaking at the launch, Cllr Terence Slowey, who carried out his entire address in Irish, stated that he was ‘delighted that almost 80 events have been organised throughout County Donegal between the 3rd and 17th of March to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge, and I am very pleased that the County Council and the Library Services are taking part in Seachtain na Gaeilge again this year.” He thanked the Library Service Staff and the Community and Gaeltacht groups for their great work in promoting the Irish language in the County throughout the festival, and in its aftermath.
Among the events organised by the Library Services for children and young people there will be storytelling, quizzes, drama, singing, recitations, poetry, music and dancing and Irish language book displays. For adults there will be some conversation groups and coffee mornings and various displays.
Donna Quinn, speaking on behalf of the Council’s Library Service, and herself learning the language, thanked all the library staff for their work and support for Irish Language Week, particularly Carmel Barron who had done tremendous work in pulling the programme of events together. Seán Ó Daimhín, Irish Language Development Officer with Donegal County Council informed those present that the Council was committed to providing a full range of services in Irish to the public, and he referred to three new commitments in the Council’s Language Scheme 2014-2017, including the provision of a service in Irish from the Council’s Customer Call Centre, increased use of the Irish language by Council on its social media platforms, and the plans to introduce a simultaneous translation system to Council meetings on a trial basis, as requested by Councillors on Coiste na Gaeilge.
For more information on events in Donegal, see contact details below. END
TUILLEADH EOLAIS / FURTHER INFORMATION:
[Seán Ó Daimhín]
Oifigeach Gaeilge, Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall
074 9172496
Suímh idirlín le heolas áitiúil / Websites with local information on festival
www.donegalcoco.ie / www.ccdhunnangall.ie / www.donegallibrary.ie
A DON EAGARTHÓIR / NOTES FOR THE EDITOR:
English Below Irish in Each Box
Is féile idirnáisiúnta Ghaeilge í Seachtain na Gaeilge a chuireann úsáid na Gaeilge agus an cultúr Gaelach chun cinn in Éirinn agus thar lear. Bhunaigh Conradh na Gaeilge an fhéile sa bhliain 1902. Tá an fhéile tar éis neart fuinnimh a bhailiú le blianta beaga anuas, agus tá sí anois ar an gceiliúradh is mó dár dteanga agus dár gcultúr dúchais a ritear in Éirinn gach bliain, ag sciobadh tíortha eile léi ar an mbealach. Tugann an fhéile deis go gach uile dhuine spraoi a bheith acu leis an nGaeilge, idir chainteoirí dúchais, fhoghlaimeoirí agus lucht an chúpla focal araon. Déanann eagraíochtaí, comhairlí áitiúla, scoileanna, leabharlanna, agus eagrais cheoil, spóirt agus chultúrtha a n-imeachtaí do Sheachtain na Gaeilge a chlárú leis an oifig agus reáchtálfar féile na bliana seo ó 1 – 17 March 2014. Tuilleadh eolais ar an suíomh náisiúnta ag www.snag.ie
Seachtain na Gaeilge is an international Irish-language festival promoting the use of Irish language and culture, both at home and abroad, running over a fortnight in March every year. Conradh na Gaeilge established the organisation in 1902. The festival has built up incredible momentum in recent years, becoming the largest celebration of our native language and culture held in Ireland every year and sweeping other countries up in the whirlwind along the way. The festival gives absolutely everyone a chance to enjoy the Irish language, be they native Irish speakers, language learners or those with only a few words. Organisations, local councils, schools, libraries, music, sporting and cultural bodies all register their Seachtain na Gaeilge events with the head office and this year's festival will run from 1st – 17th March 2014. More information on events on can be accessed on the national website. www.snag.ie
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