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Election Debate on the Irish Language at Conradh na Gaeilge's Ard-Fheis in Westport

An election debate on the Irish language will take place at Conradh na Gaeilge's Ard-Fheis on Friday, 20th April, at 21.00 in the Westport Hotel. Seán Ó Neachtain, MEP, Fianna Fáil, and Dinny McGinley, TD, Fine Gael, will be debating and they will be highlighting the policies of their respective parties for the next programme of Government regarding the Irish language. Áine Ní Chiaráin, a journalist with Foinse, will chair the debate. This is a great opportunity for the Irish language community to see what stance the two biggest political parties have regarding Irish and to ask questions about various topics regarding the promotion of it.

On the same night Treasa Mhic Uidhir, Chairperson of Westport's Town Council, will officially open Conradh na Gaeilge's Ard-Fheis at 20.30. The theme of this years Ard-Fheis will be ‘The General Election - Planning, Education and Rights' and there will be a reception after the debate.

Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh, Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge, said: "It is a great honour for all in Conradh na Gaeilge that this year's Ard-Fheis will be taking place in Westport. The ‘craobh áitiúil' and the ‘coiste dúiche' have done great work and, also, Togra Mhaigh Eo has given us great support in organising it.

Among the most important topics that will be discussed at the Ard-Fheis over the weekend are the Government's strategy and vision for the Irish language, the teaching and learning of Irish in the education system and the structure of Conradh na Gaeilge."

Mairéad Ní Mhaoilchiaráin, Togra Mhaigh Eo said: "We in Westport are very happy Conradh na Gaeilge's Ard-Fheis will take place in our town this year. There is no doubt but that the people attending the Ard-Fheis will have a great influence on attitudes to Irish in the town and I would like to say that the people of the town are very welcome to drop in on the Ard-Fheis during the weekend."

On the Saturday of the Ard-Fheis the various motions put in by Conradh na Gaeilge's craobhacha will be discussed. There will also be work shops in which the development of the Conradh will be discussed. The main organisations of the Conradh (An tOireachtas, Ógras, Clódhanna Teo. and Seachtain na Gaeilge Teo.) will be reporting on all the work carried out during the past year too.

On Saturday night the Ard-Fheis dinner will take place as well as the Ard-Fheis concert with music from Líadan and ‘Seó an Oireachtais'. All are very welcome to attend the various events of the Ard-Fheis over the weekend.

Further information:
Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh,
President, Conradh na Gaeilge.
01 4757401 / 087 2368364

Mairéad Ní Mhaoilchiaráin,
Director, Togra Mhaigh Eo.
094 9022444 / 086 1955400

 

 

Conradh na Gaeilge

6 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.
Phone: +353 (0) 1 475 7401, Fax: +353 (0) 1 475 7844, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.