1 CommentA new foundation to help forge links between GAA clubs promoting increased use of the Irish Language has been embraced by St John Bosco GAC in Newry with summer schemes, classes for adult learners, GCSE and A Level revision courses, Irish language choirs and much more planned for the near future.
The Joe McDonagh Foundation was established by The Gaelic Athletic Association and Glór na nGael is dedicated to the Irish language. The Foundation sets out to forge links between GAA clubs promoting increased use of our native language. The Foundation, which was launched in December 2016, has seen a huge uptake from clubs in Down and Armagh who are committed to developing the use and learning of Irish within the clubs in a more measured and planned fashion. Registered clubs, on implementing a certain number of actions with regards the promotion of the language within the club, will be presented with the Joe McDonagh medal and receive the help and support of Glór na nGael officers as well as the opportunity to apply for support grants throughout the year.
Speaking at the event, Frainc Mac Cionnaith, Glór na nGael said; “tá gach club ag cur na Gaeilge chun cinn ar bhealach amháin nó bealach eile. Aithníonn Glór na nGael é sin agus is é atá i gceist le Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonnchna ná na hiarrachtaí sin a fhorbairt ar bhonn tomhaiste agus pleanáilte”.
The theme of the evening’s events was ‘journey’, as Glór na nGael recognises that each club is going on its own individual language journey. Séamas Mac Dháibhéid from the Newry branch of the Gaelic League explained how this language journey “can trace its history back to Michael Cusack teaching in Saint Colman’s College” but is also a journey into the future, into self-discovery and bilingualism. He encouraged clubs and their members to embrace their language journey, quoting the psycholinguist Frank Smyth who said ‘One language sets you in a corridor for life - Two languages open every door along the way.’
Closing the evening’s procedures Áinín Uí Chaiside, Glór na nGael spoke about some of the endeavours that clubs have planned including summer schemes, classes for adult learners, GCSE and A Level revision courses, Irish language choirs and much more. She said “We at Glór na nGael are delighted that so many clubs in Armagh and Down have signed up to the Joe McDonagh Foundation and we encourage other clubs to do likewise. We wish them every success on their language journey and we look forward to helping them reach their destination. As the proverb says, 'ní neart go cur le chéile, there is no strength without unity".
