Seachtain na Gaelige 2015 got off to a flying start across Donegal, when the annual festival was launched in Carndonagh Community Library today, Friday 27th February at 11.45am. The Seachtain na Gaeilge international festival will take place from 1 - 17 March 2015 and a wide range of events is planned for Donegal during the festival. Donegal County Council Library Services’ programme of events was launched this morning by Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr John Campbell, in conjunction with Cathaoirleach of the Council’s Coiste na Gaeilge, Cllr Mick Quinn.
The formalities were quickly followed with a highly entertaining performance in traditional music from the Ceolán School of Music, and a short drama in Irish by the pupils of Gaelscoil Cois Feabhail from Moville.
Speaking during the launch the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr John Campbell stated ‘There will be at least 80 events organised across County Donegal as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge between the 1st and 17th March, and I am delighted that the County Council and the Library Services and many community groups are taking part in the festival again this year’.
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.
According to Seán Ó Daimhín, Irish Language Development Officer with Donegal County Council: “Donegal County Council is excited to be launching our programme of events for Seachtain na Gaeilge; with more events than ever taking place during the Seachtain, we hope that all the community, young and old, will take part in the festival. Many community groups, Gaeltacht groups, individuals and schools throughout the county are busy planning for their own events to support the festival and the promotion of the language.”
Among the many events being organised for Seachtain na Gaeilge in Donegal, there will be storytelling, historical talks, quizzes, art competitions, coffee mornings, Irish language hikes, conversation groups and much much more.
Councillor Mick Quinn, Chairperson of the County Council’s Coiste na Gaeilge spoke of the important rol elected representatives had in promoting the Irish language. “We now have 12 County Councillors on the Council’s Coiste na Gaeilge, the biggest number ever, with good representation from each electoral area. Not every councillor on the Coiste is a fluent speaker, but we all wish to promote the use of the language in the work of the Council, in our own work and in the community. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of those councillors who use the Irish language in their everyday work, through interviews on Ráidió na Gaeltachta, using Irish at Council meetings and using Irish with the wider public,” stated Cllr Quinn.
Mr Seamus Neely, Chief Executive of Donegal County Council, spoke about the range of services available from the Council in the Irish language. He also stated that the Council, under its Language Scheme 2014-2017 was now encouraging Council Staff to wear the Fáinne to allow the public to see that they have Irish to a certain level and are happy to use Irish in their dealings with the public. He also encouraged staff to use the Irish language during the national local authority ‘tweet day’ which has been organised for Thursday 5th March.
Eileen Burgess, County Librarian, spoke to those present about the various events and services that our libraries provide right throughout the year, and she personally thanked all the staff across the county who are organising events in their local libraries as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge.
For more information on events in Donegal, contact Seán Ó Daimhín at 074 9172496 or [email protected] or check out Seachtain na Gaelige 2015 for events near you.
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