Award for National Volunteer of the Year to be awarded to Gaoth Dobhair’s Dónall Ó Cnáimhsí
Gradam an Uachtaráin (President’s Award) will be presented to Éamon Ó Cuív at Conradh na Gaeilge Ard Fheis this weekend, 21-23 February 2025. The Ard Fheis is taking place in Whites Hotel in Wexford town. Gradam an Uachtaráin is an annual award, selected and presented by the president each year to a member of the Irish language or Gaeltacht community who makes a tremendous impact on the Irish language.
Éamon Ó Cuív enrolled as a member of Conradh na Gaeilge while he was a University student. He spent a period on Conradh na Gaeilge’s Business Committee and around 6 months working with the organisation as well. Éamon Ó Cuív was Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs from 2002-2010 and previously served as Minister of State for the Gaeltacht. Éamon was then appointed Minister for Social Protection between 2010-2011, among other Ministerial appointments. Éamon retired from politics in 2024 after 32 years as TD for Galway West and 3 years previous to that as Senator. Éamon Ó Cuív is recognised as one of the foremost politicians of his time who advocated for the development of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. During his time as Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, he played a central role in the development of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language, in the introduction of the Official Languages Act and in the subsequent establishment of the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga, amongst many other achievements.
Conradh na Gaeilge’s Ard-Fheis will begin today, Friday 21st February, with the Ard-Fheis’ Keynote Address to be given by the Minister for the Gaeltacht, Social Protection and Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, TD. Afterwards, Máirín Ní Ghadhra will present the Ard-Fheis’ discussion panel. The theme of the panel of newly elected TDs is 'New Governments – A New Era, Challenges and Opportunities for the Irish Language & Gaeltacht Community'. The panelists are Barra Ó hÉineacháin, TD (Independent), Barry Ward, TD (Fine Gael), Conor McGuinness, TD (Sinn Féin) and Naoise Ó Cearúil, TD (Fianna Fáil).
On Saturday, as part of the main business sessions of the Ard Fheis, the motions proposed by Conradh na Gaeilge’s branches and members will be debated, a President and Executive Committee will be elected for the coming year, Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia will be launched in the centre of the town, and there will be a special assembly for students, among many other events. The Ard-Fheis will conclude with a dinner for all delegates, where Éamon Ó Cuív will be presented with the Gradam an Uachtaráin, as well as the National Volunteer of the year award to community activist Dónall Ó Cnáimhsí for his outstanding work in promoting the Irish language and the Gaeltacht, not only in his native North West Donegal, but throughout the country.
Speaking about the President’s Award, President of Conradh na Gaeilge, Paula Melvin said:
“It is a great honour for me and for Conradh na Gaeilge to present this special award to Éamon Ó Cuív, a man who has dedicated his life to fighting for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. Éamon Ó Cuív was central to the promotion of many of the many language advancements that have come through the State in the south ever since, both in the development of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language, the Official Languages Act and in the establishment of the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga. Whenever Conradh needed help or advice, Éamon’s door was always open, and he was always happy to share his time and expertise with us. This Award is a small sign of recognition for the great achievements Éamon Ó Cuív has made for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht, and Conradh na Gaeilge sincerely thanks him for the work and support he has given over the last almost 40 years.”
Speaking about the National Volunteer of the Year award, Conradh na Gaeilge Tanáiste, Michaeline Donnelly, said:
“The Executive Committee of Conradh na Gaeilge is delighted to give special recognition to someone who spends his life promoting the Gaeltacht, the Irish language and his local community. Dónall was a leader and pioneering member of Guth na Gaeltachta, a Gaeltacht campaign founded in 2009 that opposed the Irish-language and Gaeltacht cuts proposed by An Bord Snip Nua at the time. Dónall goes above and beyond to promote the language in his native An Ghlaiseach, Gaoth Dobhair, particularly in his role as Cultural and Language Officer with CLG Ghaoth Dobhair. Dónall has always been a strong and steadfast representative of the North West Gaeltacht in his roles on the National Language Planning Group, as a spokesperson at major national lobbying and advocacy events and as a representative of Meitheal Gaeltachta Chonradh na Gaeilge, as well as the Tinteán lobby-group on the issue of Gaeltacht housing. Above all, Dónall is a great example of the power of grassroots activism that has been the backbone of the Irish language and Gaeltacht movement from the very beginning. Conradh na Gaeilge would like to thank him sincerely for his work over the years and for all that lies ahead.”
The President’s Award and the National Volunteer of the Year award are due to be presented tomorrow night, Saturday 2 February at 9.00pm.
FURTHER INFORMATION
The full programme for the Ard-Fheis, including motions, reports and agenda, can be accessed in full here: https://tinyurl.com/afcnag
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