Tag Archives: Gaeltacht

Ráth Chairn (Rat Cairn) is a tiny Gaeltacht in County Meath established in 1935.

It comprises around 40 houses with descendants from an initial group of Irish speakers from Connemara who made the village their home.

Zoya Nic Eibhearáird writes:

But the Gaeltacht status of Ráth Chairn, as well as the native language and culture is now under threat.

Bord Pleanála has given planning permission for the development of a housing estate and a hotel, despite the locals, Meath County Council, Comharchumann Ráth Chairn and the Bord Pleanála inspector being against the development.

If a housing estate of such a size is built in this small village, there is a risk that it will be people who do not speak Irish on a daily basis and not Irish speaking families who buy the houses and move in, especially as no measures to ensure the preservation of the Irish Language have been sufficiently detailed.

If a large number of people who don’t speak Irish on a daily basis move to Ráth Chairn, irreparable damage could be done to the Irish Language in this region. A case is being prepared for the High Court and we are raising awareness.

Petition here

Forbairt tithíochta ag cur imní ar mhuintir Ráth Chairn (Meon Eile)

Free tomorrow?

Relive the best days of your life.

Osgur Ó Ciardha writes:

Leaids, tugaim cuireadh gach mí ach ní thagann sibh. Ní fhreagraíonn sibh fiú. Is trua, ach seans nach bhfuil sibh líofa sa Ghaeilge (and that’s ok! ) So, aistreoidh mé an chuid eile.

Pop Up Gaeltacht is a monthly guerilla-style Gaeltacht that can be found in diverse bars and pubs all around the city. The concept has spread across the country and the world, having taken place in New York, Paris, Toronto, London, Belfast, Cork to name a few.

The next one will take place in Zozimus Bar [Annes Lane, Dublin 2] tomorrow night. I am sure some of your readers would be interested. At the very least the comments section will be busy….

Troid!

Pop Up Gaeltacht, Zozimus (Facebook)

Gaeltacht_Sign-1

On asking a friend from a Gaeltacht why there was a reluctance to engage in Irish with non-native customers in shops, I was taken aback with the reply: “Why should we give free lessons in Irish to anyone”.

It’s time to realign our approach to the survival of the native tongue. We focus on the Gaeltachts, but in essence have turned them into cash-cows for their inhabitants.

There is more Irish spoken in greater Dublin than the combined Gaeltachts so perhaps it’s time Raidió na Gaeltachta changed its name to Raidió Na Gael. Time to open full-time studios in Athlone, Blanchardstown, Belfast and Waterford.

Let’s break up this cosy cabal and spread our language – it’s not just the preserve of the western seaboard.

John Cuffe,
Dunboyne,
Meath.

Anyone?

Gaeltacht Irish (Irish Times letters)

Pic: Highland Radio