Gaeláras Opens a New Chapter for the Irish Language in Newry

Newry's new hub for the Irish Language got off to a great start last night with the opening of ‘Trioblóidí: A Bilingual Community History Exhibition on the Troubles.’ The newly established cultural and heritage centre on Upper Chapel Street in the centre of Newry will be hosting the exhibition for a fortnight.

Deputy Mayor Packie Mac Donald, who launched the exhibition said that he was greatly impressed. ‘Not only does it give us a clear insight into the early years of the Troubles in Newry but it also provides visitors with the chance to see posters, long playing records, pamphlets and similar information which adds to our understanding of the various traditions and that terrible dark period.’

The Deputy Mayor also praised the work of Anita Gallagher, The Heritage Officer of Newry Gaelic League, who researched and organised the exhibition with financial help from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

And Séamus Mac Dhaibhéid, a spokesman for the trustees of the project, in outlining the magnificent work undertaken by the Irish language community over the years said that visitors would be assured of a hearty welcome in the new Gaelic cultural centre. ‘We would like to involve local people as well as the wider community in the Newry area in these events. We will be organising both Irish Language and heritage programmes from now on. We are planning a library and a small museum but more than anything we will be responding to the needs of Irish speakers by providing a place for people to socialise, especially young people in Irish-medium education.’

Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail is an ambitious initiative which has received funding from Newry and Mourne District Council, The Ulster Gaelic League and the Irish Language Investment Fund.

Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail: An fhís á fhíorú ar an Iúr

Bhí scaifte breá bríomhar i láthair nuair a sheol Leasmhéara an Iúir agus Mhúrn, an Comhairleoir Packie Mac Donald, taispeántas dár teideal ‘Trioblóidí: A Bilingual Community History Exhibition’ i nGaelaras Mhic Ardghail, Dé hAoine 25 Eanair. Ar feadh coicíse a bheas an taispeántas ar siúl san ionad cultúrtha agus oidhreachta nuabhunaithe ar Sráid an tSéipéil Uachtarach i lár an Iúir. 

Dúirt an Leasméara go ndeachaigh an taispeántas go mór i bhfeidhm air. ‘Ní amháin go dtugann sé léargas soiléir dúinn ar luathbhlianta na dTrioblóidí i gcomhthéacs an Iúir ach beidh deis ag cuairteoirí amharc ar phóstaeir, nuachtáin, fadcheirníní agus a leithéid d’ábhar bolscaireachta a chuireann lenár dtuiscint ar na traidisiúin éagsúla agus an tréimhse mhillteanach sin.’

Ba ard an moladh a thug an Leasméara d’Anita Gallagher, Oifigeach Forbartha Oidhreachta le Craobh an Iúir de Chomhaltas Uladh, an bhean a chuir an taispeántas i dtoll a chéile le cabhair airgid ón Chrannchur Oidhreachta. 

Agus é ag déanamh cur síos ar an sárobair atá á déanamh ag pobal na Gaeilge ar an Iúr le blianta fada anuas thug Séamus Mac Dhaibhéid, urlabhraí na n-iontaobhaithe, le fios go cuirfidh lucht an Ghaelárais fearadh na fáilte roimh chuairteoirí don Ghaeláras úr. ‘Ba bhreá linn muintir na háite agus an pobal i gcoitinne i limistéar an Iúir a bheith pairteach sna imeachtaí anseo. Beidh idir imeachtaí Gaeilge agus oidhreachta á réachtáil againn as seo amach. Tá leabharlann agus mion-iarsmalann beartaithe againn ach thar aon ní tá géarghá ann chun áit shóisialta shiamsaíochta a sholáthar do na Gaeil, go mór mór do dhaoine óga.’ 

Is tionscnamh ardaidhmeannach é Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail a fuair maoiniú agus tacaíocht ó Comhairle an Iúir agus Mhúrn, Chomhaltas Uladh agus ón Chiste Infheistíochta Gaeilge.