Comhrá '14, the world record attempt for the longest Irish language conversation, which started last Sunday, 5 October, has passed the halfway line.
Brenda Ní Ghairbhí, Bainisteoir Sheachtain na Gaeilge said:
"We have had a few great days with groups all around Ireland and as far afield as Los Angeles, Sydney and even Beijing taking part in the record attempt! We have completed more than 90 hours but there is still a big challenge ahead of us to complete the week and make sure that we have groups to cover each hour of the conversation between now and Sunday."
Comhrá '14 is being streamed live on www.snag.ie and it's aiming to achieve 169 hours of Irish language chat non-stop from its start at 12.00pm on 5 October until its finale at 1.00pm on 12 October.
It is through the live stream on www.snag.ie that the series of Irish language conversation circles from all over the world are linked to make one continuous conversation during this special week. The wider public can join in the conversation by following it live on www.snag.ie and tweeting the participants and audience with the hashtag #Comhrá14.
Among the groups still to take part, there will be conversations coming from schools all over Ireland, third level Irish societies, Irish learners in Notre Dame University in the USA and there will even be a special conversation from the Dunsink Observatory where students from Gaelcholáiste Chill Dara will be visiting this Friday morning at 10.00am as part of World Space Week 2014.
There are still gaps in the timetable however and more groups are needed to fill the spaces, especially at the week-end. If you and a friend or group of friends have Irish, and are in the mood for a challenge, a chat and a bit of craic, check out the world record attempt's timetable on www.snag.ie and contact the Seachtain na Gaeilge office on +353 (0)1 4757401 or
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MORE INFORMATION:
Brenda Ní Ghairbhí
Manager, Seachtain na Gaeilge
+353 (0)86 3649776 / +353 (0)1 4757401
Sinéad Ní Dhomhnaill
Administrative and Support Officer, Seachtain na Gaeilge
+353 (0)86 1955515 / +353 (0)1 4757401
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Seachtain na Gaeilge is an international festival which runs in March every year to promote the Irish language and culture in Ireland and abroad. Conradh na Gaeilge set up the festival in 1902. The festival has gained a lot of momentum in recent years and is now one of the biggest celebrations of our native language and culture each year. Seachtain na Gaeilge gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy Irish, whether you are a native speaker, learner or have a cúpla focal. Community groups, schools, local authorities, libraries, cultural, sport and music organisations and more register events with Seachtain na Gaeilge each year. Next year's festival will run from 1 - 17 March 2015. Seachtain na Gaeilge is grateful to Foras na Gaeilge, the festival's primary funder, for its support of the festival each year. www.snag.ie
Conradh na Gaeilge is the democratic forum for the Irish-speaking community working to promote the language. There are over 180 branches of Conradh na Gaeilge and since its doundation in 1893, members of Conradh na Gaeilge have been avtively promoting Irish in every aspect of life in Ireland and especially its use in their own areas. Conraitheoirí are at the forefront of campaigns to secure and strengthen the rights of the Irish language community. It is also possible to register as an individual member of Conradh na Gaeilge. Conradh na Gaeilge runs Irish language classes in Dublin, Galway, Mayo, Tipperary, Newry and other locations across Ireland. www.cnag.ie
