Rónán Ó Domhnaill, An Coimisinéir Teanga, presented the first certificates and awards of the 'Gníomhaí Gaeilge' scheme to students, Irish language Societies and 3rd level Students' Unions last night, Tuesday, 17 May, in the Guinness Enterprise Center in Dublin.
‘An Gníomhaí Gaeilge’ is a new scheme run by Conradh na Gaeilge and the Union of Students in Ireland which provides mentoring, training and recognition for the work done by students to promote the Irish language at third level.
Paula Melvin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, said:
“We are delighted that the pilot scheme of the new project organised by Conradh na Gaeilge and the Union of Students in Ireland called 'An Gníomhaí Gaeilge' was a great success. Over 10 colleges, between Irish Language Societies and Students' Unions, took part as well as 20 students who pursued their own personal certificate.
According to all the feedback received from the mentors, the students did a great job organising social events, incorporating Irish language into student union structures, securing accommodation for Irish speaking students, organising Irish language campaigns on their own campus, and much more.”
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, An Coimisinéir Teanga, said:
“I was delighted to present the first certificates and awards to students, Irish Language Societies and 3rd level Students' Union last night in Dublin. The students have done an excellent job over the past year and it is good to see that their good work has been recognised.
It is important that students, as they begin habits for later life at 3rd level, are encouraged to use Irish more in their lives, not only with friends and relatives but also with the authorities and the state apparatus. This is crucial to ensure that the services to be provided as a result of the additional provisions in the recent Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 are used and also it is important that the students see the job opportunities arising from the legislation. I commend the new ‘Gníomhaí Gaeilge’ scheme organised by Conradh na Gaeilge and the Union of Students in Ireland that will encourage the students and I wish the new scheme every success in the future.”
Conradh na Gaeilge and the Union of Students in Ireland are now looking forward to developing the scheme and we are grateful for the support already received for the scheme from the Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Higher Education Authority.
Any student interested in participating in the first year of this scheme can let us know at
Further information:
Aodhán Ó Deá,
Director of Development and Deputy Secretary General of Conradh na Gaeilge
+353 86 3102691 |
Barry Ó Siochrú (sé/é)
Third Level Coordinator (acting),
+353 87 1555949 |
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Conradh na Gaeilge is the democratic forum for the Irish-speaking community. The Conradh has over 200 branches and numerous individual members registered around the world, members that work hard to promote the use of Irish in their own areas. Conradh na Gaeilge’s main aim is to promote the use of Irish as the standard language in Ireland. Conradh na Gaeilge was established by Douglas Hyde, Eoin Mac Néill, and their colleagues on the 31st of July 1893. The organisation runs Irish-language courses; advocates for the language rights of Irish-speakers; raises awareness about the language; hosts the international Irish-language festival Seachtain na Gaeilge; manages the Irish-language information hub PEIG.ie and the Irish-language bookshop An Siopa Leabhar; supports Raidió Rí-Rá; and much more. More information: www.cnag.ie
PICTURE 1: Paula Melvin, President, Conradh na Gaeilge, Eimear Nig Oireachtaigh (Oifigeach na Gaeilge NUIG SU), Róisín Nic Lochlainn (VP for Irish, USI) with an Coimisinéir Teanga, Rónán Ó Domhnaill.
PICTURE 2: Paula Melvin, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, Aodhán Ó Deá, Jamie Flannery and Barry Ó Siochrú.
PICTURE 3: Pádraig Ó hAiniféin and Eve Ní Chathasaigh ón Chuallacht Gaelach in UCC
