Paula Melvin was first elected President of Conradh na Gaeilge at the Conradh na Gaeilge Ard-Fheis in Galway, 25 February 2022, and reelected for 2023/24 in An tAonach, Tiobraid Árann on 26 February 2023.
Paula is the first female President of the organisation since 1994/95. Previously, she served as Tánaiste of the organisation since 2017, and at a local level she is a co-founder and Chairperson of the Pobal Gaeilge 15 branch in Dublin 15.
Aside from her involvement in promoting the Irish language, Paula can often be found hillwalking and presenting her family cattle at agricultural competitions throughout Ireland.
“It has been the honour of a lifetime to serve as President of Conradh na Gaeilge, and I reiterate that sentiment today as delegates have reinstated me for a second term. We now must turn our attention to the year ahead, and commit to doubling our efforts to ensure the priorities and motions agreed during this Ard-Fheis are realised in the coming time. We have made incredible progress across a range of issues, especially around language rights north and south of the last 12 months, as we continue to press ahead with major policy campaigns in the Gaeltacht, regarding education and, as discussed at length this weekend, funding and investment. We still have much more work to do to ensure equality for the Irish language and Gaeltacht, but we are ready for that fight and ready to get moving. I want to wish everyone involved with Conradh na Gaeilge, our members, our branches, our staff and the entire Irish language & Gaeltacht communities all the best for the year ahead. Together we can make a huge difference.”
One of Paula Melvin's priorities this year is to meet with as many branches of Conradh na Gaeilge as possible during her term as President.
"If I haven't yet had the opportunity to meet with your branch, I would love to hear from you."
Paula Melvin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge
+353 (0)1 4757401 |
Paula Melvin was elected Tánaiste of Conradh na Gaeilge by the Coiste Gnó in 2017. She has served as a trustee of the organisation since 2014. Paula is also the Chairperson of the Conradh’s Development Subcommittee. At the local level, she co-founded the Pobal Gaeilge 15 branch in Dublin 15. Pobal Gaeilge 15 played an integral role in the establishment of Coláiste na Tulchann and have organised some of the largest events worldwide for Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia.
Paula is a member of the Ógras steering board, the Conradh’s diversity committee, an Siopa Leabhar’s board and Conradh na Gaeilge’s human resources and finance committee. She also attends meetings of the Meitheal Gaeltachta. Paula was the deputy secretary of na Gaeil Óga GAA club and was a presenter with Raidió na Life. Paula sat on Fingal County Council’s Irish language committee. She is a founding member of the #TrasnaNadTonnta twitter campaign. Paula was elected Irish Language Officer on Saint Patrick’s College, Dublin City University’s Students’ Union. She was also elected chairperson of the college’s Irish Language Society. Paula works as Senior Programme Manager with the Fulbright Commission in Ireland.
FORMER PRESIDENTS of CONRADH NA GAEILGE (1893 ar aghaidh):
1893 - 1915 Dúbhglas de hÍde (An Chraoibhín Aoibhinn) (1860 - 1949)
1915 - 1916 Folúntas
1916 - 1919 Eoin Mac Néill (1867 - 1945)
1919 - 1922 Seán Ua Ceallaigh (Sceilg) (1872 - 1957)
1922 - 1925 Peadar Mac Fhionnlaoich (Cú Uladh) (1856 - 1942)
1925 - 1926 An Dr. Seán P. Mac Énrí (1862 - 1930)
1926 - 1928 Cormac Breatnach (1886 - 1956)
1928 - 1933 Mac Giolla Bhríde (An Tiarna Ashbourne) (1868 - 1942)
1933 - 1940 Peadar Mac Fhionnlaoich (Cú Uladh) (1856 - 1942)
1940 - 1941 Liam Ó Buachalla (1899 - 1970)
1941 - 1942 Seán Óg Ó Tuama (1912 - 1980)
1942 - 1945 Diarmuid Mac Fhionnlaoich (1903 - 1964)
1945 - 1946 Seán Mac Gearailt (1916 - 2004)
1946 - 1949 Liam Ó Luanaigh (1914 - 1998)
1949 - 1950 Diarmuid Mac Fhionnlaoich (1903 - 1964)
1950 - 1952 Annraoi Ó Liatháin (1917 - 1981)
1952 - 1955 Seán Mac Gearailt (1916 - 2004)
1955 - 1959 Tomás Ó Muircheartaigh (1907 - 1967)
1959 - 1965 Micheál Mac Cárthaigh (1911 - 1983)
1965 - 1968 Cathal Ó Feinneadha (1928 - 2015)
1968 - 1974 Maolsheachlainn Ó Caollaí (1939)
1974 - 1979 Pádraig Ó Snodaigh (1935)
1979 - 1982 Albert Fry (1940 - 2021)
1982 - 1985 Micheál Ó Murchú (An Gabha Gaelach) (1918 - 1990)
1985 - 1989 Íte Ní Chionnaith (1953)
1989 - 1994 Proinsias Mac Aonghusa (1933 - 2002)
1994 - 1995 Áine de Baróid (1950)
1995 - 1998 Gearóid Ó Cairealláin (1957)
1998 - 2003 Tomás Mac Ruairí (1939 - 2023)
2003 - 2004 Séagh Mac Siúrdáin (1958)
2004 - 2005 Nollaig Ó Gadhra (1943 - 2008)
2005 - 2008 Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh (1968)
2008 - 2011 Pádraig Mac Fhearghusa (1947)
2011 - 2014 Donnchadh Ó hAodha (1944)
2014 - 2017 Cóilín Ó Cearbhaill (1975)
2017 - 2022 Niall Comer (1975)
2022 - 2023 Paula Melvin (1992)
