Gaeláras opens

Newry or should we say Iúr Cinn Trá last night officially opened it's state of the art Irish Language Cultural Hub, Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail based at the top of Chapel Street in the City.

Present with the Mayor John McArdle were representatives from the McArdle Family, funders, builders, members of Newry and Mourne District Council and many other guests and visitors including Gerry Adams, TD; Conor Murphy, MP; Dominic Bradley, MLA; Caitríona Ruanne, MLA and Mickey Brady, MLA.

The Gaeláras came about with the partnership of Newry and Mourne District Council, An Ciste Infheistíochta Gaeilge (The Irish Language Investment Fund), Comhaltas Uladh (Ulster Council of the Gaelic League) and Craobh an Iúir, the Newry Branch of the Gaelic League.

The Cultúrlann (Cultural Centre) now provides a permanent home to the local branch of the Gaelic League which has worked tirelessly over the last century in promoting and developing the Irish Language in the district.

One of the many speakers at the opening was Gerry Adams, TD who had his own connection to the Gaeláras or rather Brother Beausang, one of the champions of Irish in the Newry area whom he attributes his love of the Irish Language, Donegal and of course his Silver Fáinne!

In a blog Gerry says "This blog is very indebted to a wee man called Beausang. He was a Christian Brother and a champion of the Irish language.

He was my ticket to the Gaeltacht in Donegal when I was a young student. A summer vacation with a bunch of other gaelgeoiri in DerryBeg was my first introduction to that wonderful county and to the magic world of an Irish speaking community."

The building housing a library, classrooms, exhibition space, an archive and an auditorium, provides a physical focus for the regeneration of the language in the area and will contribute greatly to the development of cultural tourism in the area. 

The site was bequeathed to the Newry Irish language community by the McArdle family who had worked diligently throughout the last century to promote the Irish language and culture in Newry. The Gaeláras, a testament to their vision and generosity, will facilitate the mainstreaming of the Irish language into the social, educational and economic fabric of Newry 

The main funders of the project, representatives of the McArdle family, local and national politicians, Newry Gaels, the children of Bunscoil an Iúir, the Trustees, architects and contractors packed into the Gaeláras for this auspicious occasion to launch the latest jewel in the cultural heritage of the City.

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