Write a commentBliain na Gaeilge 2013 (the Year of the Irish Language) is being launched by Newry and Mourne Council next Wednesday at Páirc na Mara, Annalong.
Bliain na Gaeilge aims to celebrate the Irish language in 2013 throughout the island of Ireland and will provide thousands of opportunities to use the language to the two million people who have Irish, no matter what level they have.
It's all about encouraging people to learn Irish. There will be national events, local events, competitions and new Irish language projects organized through the year.
The revival of the Irish language started in 1893 with the establishment of Conradh na Gaeilge, the Gaelic League. In 2013 we will be recognizing the progress made over the last 120 years by Irish language and Gaeltacht organizations, schools and other groups in preserving, reviving and promoting the language.
Conradh na Gaeilge (the Gaeilge League) has designated 2013 as Bliain na Gaeilge (the Year of the Irish language). The year long celebration of the language is sponsored by Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta. In December 2012 Carál Ní Chuilín, Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure officially linked the Líofa campaign to Bliain na Gaeilge and is encouraging people to learn the language and use whatever Irish they have, throughout the year. Líofa is an initiative introduced by the Minister in September 2011 to support people to become fluent or increase their fluency and use of Irish by 2015. Almost 3500 people are registered with Líofa.
Taking part will be representatives of over 100 organizations (including Irish language, Gaeltacht, cultural, student and other organizations) on a working group organizing the programme for the year. Not only that, but there will also be hundreds of other organizations co-ordinating events in 2013.
Newry and Mourne District Council recognises that the Irish language is an important part of our cultural heritage and an integral part of life in the Council area. The Council is committed to the promotion of the Irish language through its Bilingualism Policy and will launch Bliain na Gaeilge 2013 at Páirc na Mara, Marine Park, Annalong on Wednesday 20th February 2013 at 2.30pm
What can you do in 2013?
* Use your Irish with friends, relatives, colleagues and others in 2013
* Look at the events on the official website www.gaeilge2013.ie/en/ and attend some of them
* Take part in the competitions – great prizes to be won
* Make the decision to improve your Irish or learn the language in 2013 (you could also sign up for the Líofa 2015 campaign)
* Attend local intensive language courses held throughout the year
* Visit a Gaeltacht area
* Encourage friends abroad to come to Ireland in 2013 to attend events of Bliain na Gaeilge and to take part in The Gathering 2013
* Buy products made in Ireland to help the environment in which we are promoting the Irish language
For more information please contact gaeilge@newryandmourne.gov.uk or call the Irish Language Unit @ 028 3031 3258
