The initiative launched by Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, aims to provide a space for new communities in Ireland to experience and to learn the native language and culture
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Today, Wednesday 1 May 2024, 'Céad Míle Fáilte’ was launched, a brand new project run by Conradh na Gaeilge to connect new communities in Ireland with the Irish language. Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, officially launched the project at a special event at UNITE Offices in Dublin today.
‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ provides opportunities for new Irish communities to enjoy and take part in the Irish language through classes, events and awareness-raising initiatives, with funding provided by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for 2024 and 2025. A pilot scheme was run in 2023 with support from Foras na Gaeilge.
As part of today’s event, the Céad Míle Fáilte website was unveiled at ceadmilefailte.ie. Communities can visit the site for information on the project, find local events, and register with the scheme. Former participants of Céad Míle Fáilte were in attendance today to discuss their experiences with the Irish language to date, as well as their goals in relation to upcoming classes and workshops.
Connlaith Ní Raifeartaigh, ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ Manager for Conradh na Gaeilge, commented at the launch:
“Last year we were given the opportunity to deliver a pilot of the project to raise awareness and build interest in the project, which was very successful. Now, with the help of the Department, we are able to undertake this important work to its full potential with vision and energy. Conradh na Gaeilge aims to engage over 2,000 people from minority communities and diverse backgrounds throughout the country through classes, workshops and events. The spaces will allow those on the periphery of the community to integrate in society and it gives Conradh na Gaeilge and the Irish-speaking community the opportunity to give a Céad Míle Fáilte! Let’s celebrate our multicultural, multilingual and diverse society in modern Ireland today.
“It was important for us to hold a special event to celebrate the project publicly, putting our goals at the heart of the project. We would like to show that the Irish language community welcomes everyone in this country, and that the Irish language belongs to us all. We are very grateful to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for providing funding for this project, and we thank Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne TD, for being with us today to officially launch the project.”
Speaking at the launch, Mohammed Jendia, a refugee from Gaza, now living in Dublin, said:
“I'm looking forward to taking part in the Irish classes as part of Céad Míle Fáilte. The Irish language community have been very welcoming to me and it's important to me to continue learning the native language of the country I'm living in.”
