Irish-language activists look for action

OVER 60 activists attended Sinn Féin’s annual Irish-language conference in the Teachers’ Club in Dublin on 21st May.
The first half of the day saw lively debate about the party’s proposed Irish-language strategy document under the able chairmanship of Gearóid Ó hEaghra. The document is composed of motions passed at ardfheiseanna in recent years with regard to the Irish language in areas such as An Ghaeltacht, education, Gaelicising the party and the media. Whilst many of these motions have been passed unanimously many have never been put into practice.
Whilst the hope was expressed at the conference that an Irish Language Act for the Six Counties was forthcoming with a Sinn Féin minister in charge of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure
it was clarified that it would still be an uphill struggle. Much interest was shown in Gaelicising the party including a recommendation that the ‘fáinne’ should be made available at the Ard Fheis to all Irish-speakers in an effort to raise awareness and use of the language.
After lunch, a panel chaired by Caitríona Ruane outlined the major issues and challenges facing education, an Ghaeltacht and the all-Ireland body Foras na Gaeilge.
Without investment in meaningful employment An Ghaeltacht would not survive, according to Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh. The population demographics were already heavily weighted in favour of the old and very young with very little in between.
The conference closed with a motivational address from party president Gerry Adams who presented an illustrated copy of the newly-translated poem of Bobby Sands ‘Rithim an Ama’ (Rhythm of Time) to a guest from the Canadian Gaeltacht.