Write a commentLanguages Minister Carál Ní Chuilín launched the Líofa campaign in Carntogher, Co Derry this week. The initiative encourages people to learn Irish with the goal of becoming fluent by 2015.
The Minister said: “I welcome this opportunity to visit Carntogher and see how the Irish language is thriving. This is a living example of a rural community embracing Irish at grass roots level and creating a vibrant Galetacht area.
Dúirt an tAire: “Tá lúcháir orm an deis seo a bheith agam cuairt a thabhairt ar Charn Tóchair agus an borradh atá faoin Ghaeilge anseo a fheiceáil. Is eiseamláir bheoga an áit seo de phobal tuaithe a bhfuil an Ghaeilge ina gcroí acu agus a bhfuil ceantar bisiúil Gaeltachta bunaithe acu ón bhun aníos.
“I am particularly pleased to hear about the courses, workshops and initiatives on offer at An Carn to help people achieve Líofa. Through their support and encouragement, An Carn is helping to build the momentum around the Irish language both locally and as part of a growing movement in the north.
“Tá mé thar a bheith sásta cluinstin faoi na cúrsaí, ceardlanna agus tionscnaimh atá ar fáil in An Carn le cuidiú le daoine spriocanna Líofa a ghnóthú. Mar gheall ar a gcuid tacaíochta agus an spreagadh a thugann siad, tá An Carn ag cur go mór leis an bhisiúlacht a bhaineann leis an Ghaeilge go háitiúil agus mar chuid de ghluaiseacht sa tuaisceart atá ag dul i láidreacht.
“As Minister, I am here to acknowledge this and offer my support to the great work going here.
“Mar aire, tá mé anseo leis na hiarrachtaí sin a aithint agus le mo thacaíocht a thabhairt don obair atá ar bun anseo, obair den scoth.
“Since Líofa was launched last September, I have visited towns and cities across the north to showcase the initiative. But I am especially keen to promote Líofa in rural areas, and recently met with Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill to discuss ways of supporting the development of Irish in these communities.
“Ó seoladh Líofa i mí Mheán Fómhair seo caite, tá cuairt tugtha agam ar bhailte agus ar chathracha ar fud an tuaiscirt leis an tionscnamh a chur chun cinn. Ach ba mhaith liom go mór Líofa a chur chun cinn i gceantair thuaithe fosta. Bhuail mé ar na mallaibh leis an Aire Talmhaíochta Michelle O’Neill le dóigheanna a phlé leis an Ghaeilge a fhorbairt i bpobail thuaithe.
“Having met people from all backgrounds and walks of life – at various stages on their journey learning the language – I see how the Irish is a unifying force which is a vital part of our shared cultural heritage.
“Tá mé i ndiaidh bualadh le daoine ó gach cúlra agus ó gach réimse den saol, daoine atá ag céimeanna éagsúla ar bhóthar foghlama na teanga. Chítear dom gur uirlis aontaithe í an Ghaeilge agus gur cuid ríthábhachtach í den oidhreadht atá i gcoitinne againn.
“We had initially set ourselves the target of 1,000, but have already far exceeded that, with more than 1,600 people committed to Líofa. Our new target is 2,015 people by 2015.
“Nuair a cuireadh tús le Líofa ba é 1,000 duine an sprioc a bhí againn, ach tá an sprioc sin sáraithe agus sáraithe go maith againn cheana féin. Tá breis agus 1,600 duine i ndiaidh a gcuid tiomantais do Líofa a léiriú. Is í an sprioc nua atá againn 2,015 duine faoi 2015.
“I offer every encouragement to those who are considering their first steps to fluency. The willingness and desire to learn Irish is strong, and the appeal of the language is broader today than it has been at any stage of its recent history. Events such as this underline that point, and allow everyone involved to make the kind of connections which will sustain and nurture the Irish language into the future.
“Ba mhaith liom spreagadh a thabhairt do gach duine atá ag smaoineamh ar an chéad chéim a ghlacadh i dtreo na líofachta. Is mian le cuid mhór daoine an Ghaeilge a fhoghlaim agus tá siad toilteanach é sin a dhéanamh. San am i láthair tá an teanga tarraingteach ag réimse i bhfad níos leithne daoine ná aon am le deireanas. Is léiriú maith iad imeachtaí den chineál seo air sin. Cuidíonn siad le daoine nascanna a dhéanamh a chothóidh an Ghaeilge agus a choinneoidh beo í sa todhchaí.”
