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Cllr John McArdle, Mayor, Newry and Mourne District Council with the help of pupils from Bunscoil an Iúir launched Bliain na Gaeilge 2013 in Newry Arts Centre today.
The Mayor said "Newry and Mourne District Council has a long history of promoting and developing the Irish Language in the area. The number of Gaeilgeoirí in the council area has risen in the 2011 Census to almost 20%. The Council is committed to meeting the needs of this growing language community in the district"
"The designation of 2013 as Bliain na Gaeilge complements the councils own Bilingualism Policy."
"We acknowledge the work of Conradh na Gaeilge in language recovery and regeneration. It is 120 Years since the Gaelic League was founded. Newry has been to the forefront of Irish Language revival for over 100 Years."
Concluding he said " I urge the citizens of Newry to avail of the facilities provided in Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, use whatever Irish you have or attend a class. The language is an integral part of who we are here in Newry and Mourne. Beatha tanga í a labhairt (A language survives through speaking it)
What is Bliain na Gaeilge?
We are celebrating the Irish language in 2013 throughout the island of Ireland and providing thousands of opportunities to use the language to the two million people who have Irish, no matter what level they have. We are also encouraging people to learn Irish. There will be national events, local events, competitions and new Irish language projects organized through the year.
Why 2013?
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.
Who designated Bliain na Gaeilge 2013?
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.
Who is taking part?
There are 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.
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 http://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 at 028 3031 3258
