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Ireland's new residents are taking an interest in the Irish Language and among them are members of the Syrian community in County Down who are enjoying experiencing many aspects of our culture here.
Groups from Ireland’s New Communities were in Dublin on Saturday for Conradh na Gaeilge’s Céad Míle Fáilte event, which brings people together from various backgrounds to celebrate the Irish Language. Guests from various groups and language backgrounds, including Igbo, Ukrainian and Arabic, took part in the event and in Irish classes organised over the last number of months.
Hafi Saad, facilitator with the Syrian community in Downpatrick, Co. Down said “The Syrian community that I work with are very much enjoying learning Irish and about Irish culture. Ireland is their home now and they are delighted being part of the community here and experiencing every aspect of the culture here.
The Céad Míle Fáilte project has helped them to understand how the Irish language is central to Irish culture and identity. I know I speak for all the various communities here today in thanking Conradh na Gaeilge for creating this space for all of us to value and enjoy the Irish language.
The initiative comes as an increasing number of people coming to Ireland are showing an interest in Ireland’s language and culture. The Céad Míle Fáilte campaign aims to entice people from different backgrounds to the Irish language.
As part of the project, a series of Irish classes has been organised, scholarships to attend Gaeltacht courses have been granted, a series of workshops has taken place looking at the correct terminology in Irish to use with our New Communities, and a booklet to raise people's awareness of the Irish Language has been produced in various languages.
Speaking today, Paula Melvin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, commented:
I was delighted to be part of this very important project. Modern Ireland boasts a very diverse, multicultural, multilingual society, and the Irish language is a valuable cultural asset that we can share with everyone. Everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy an Ghaeilge. The Irish language has an important role in helping our New Communities integrate into Irish society.
Conradh na Gaeilge aims to support local communities in developing a positive image of the language for every one who lives here. This initiative is central to that aim and I would especially like to thank Foras na Gaeilge for funding the campaign in 2022.
The Céad Míle Fáilte project in 2022 was funded by Foras na Gaeilge.
‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ do Phobail Nua ag Foghlaim na Gaeilge
Bronnadh déanta ag Conradh na Gaeilge ar phobal Íogbóise, Araibise & Úcráinise a ghlac páirt san fheachtas Céad Míle Fáilte
Bhailigh grúpaí ó Phobail Nua na hÉireann i mBaile Átha Cliath ar an Satharn don imeacht ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ de chuid Chonradh na Gaeilge, ceiliúradh a thugann daoine ó chúlraí éagsúla atá tagtha go hÉirinn le chéile leis an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim. Ghlac aíonna ó chúlraí teanga éagsúla páirt san imeacht, Íogbóis, Úcráinis agus Araibis san áireamh.
Tagann an obair seo ag am a bhfuil níos mó agus níos mó daoine atá tagtha go hÉirinn ag léiriú suime i dteanga agus cultúr na tíre, agus tá sé mar aidhm ag Céad Míle Fáilte na mianta seo a shásamh.
Mar chuid den togra tá sraith ranganna eagraithe, scoláireachtaí bronnta ar dhaltaí le freastal ar chúrsaí Gaeltachta, ceardlanna taighde déanta faoin bhfoclaíocht cuí le húsáid agus tá lámhleabhair curtha ar fáil le Gaeilge a fhoghlaim trí theangacha éagsúla.
Ag labhairt inniu, dúirt Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge, Paula Melvin:
Táim an-sásta a bheith ag tacú leis an togra fíor-thábhachtach seo inniu. Is iontach an rud é go bhfuil sochaí ilchultúrtha, ilteangach, ilchineálach againn in Éirinn na linne seo, agus is seoid luachmhar chultúir í an Ghaeilge, seoid ar féidir a roinnt le gach duine. Ba chóir go mbeadh gach deis ar fáil do gach duine chun sult agus tairbhe a bhaint aisti. Tá ról tábhachtach ag an teanga ag cabhrú lenár bPobail Nua imeascadh le sochaí na hÉireann.
Tá sí mar aidhm ag Conradh na Gaeilge gach tacaíocht a chur ar fáil do phobail áitiúla chun íomhá dhearfach den teanga a chothú i measc gach duine atá ina chónaí anseo. Tá an togra seo lárnach mar chuid den sprioc sin agus ba mhaith liom mo fhíor-bhuíochas a ghabháil le Foras na Gaeilge as ucht cabhrú linn leis an togra in 2022.
Dúirt Hafi Saaf, Áisitheoir leis an Phobal Siriach i nDún Pádraig, Co. an Dúin:
“Tá an Pobal Shiriach, atáim ag obair leo, ag baint an-sult as ag foghlaim faoin Ghaeilge agus cultúr na hÉireann. Is é seo a mbaile anois agus tá siad an-tógtha le bheith mar chuid den phobal anseo agus dul i dtaithí ar gach réimse den chultúr anseo.
Tá Céad Míle Fáilte tar éis cabhrú leo go mór le tuiscint faoi cé chomh lárnach is atá an Gaeilge do chultúr agus féiniúlacht na hÉireann. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuilim ag labhairt ar son na bpobal éagsúla anseo inniu agus mé ag gabháil buíochais do Chonradh na Gaeilge ar son an spás seo a chruthaigh siad dúinn chun tairbhe agus sult a bhaint as an Ghaeilge.”
Tá an scéim Céad Míle Fáilte a reachtáladh in 2022 maoinithe ag Foras na Gaeilge.
