Double success for local Gaelic language group

The Glr na nGael competition is open to community-based organisations throughout the island of Ireland as well as abroad, and aims to encourage and reward groups which create a positive focus in society through promoting the Irish language.

“We’re delighted to have our efforts recognised by a panel of independent adjudicators”, said Andrew Mac Uait, Development Officer with Pobal an Chaistil.

“People here have put a lot of work and personal commitment into creating projects that promote the Gaelic language and culture, as well as bringing a direct benefit to the local community. Obviously the biggest project is Gaelscoil an Chaistil, where local children are educated bilingually and are in tune with their native culture.

“We also provide and organise a range of services for families and the community such as parent and toddler groups, awareness courses for parents, language classes for adults, intensive courses, sports activities for children and young people, summer schemes, an active youth group – all of which are language based – plus music and singing as well as other cultural activities, with a new spring timetable shortly to be announced!”

Pobal an Chaistil is also involved with local and regional language campaigning and in seeking to build positive attitudes towards the language across the entire community. Another area of work which impressed the adjudicators was the group’s partnership work with Ionad Chaluim Cille le, a Gaelic language group on the island of Islay, whose efforts were also rewarded in the competition with a prize.

“We’ve won first prize in the competition for groups of our size, as well as the Iontaobhas Ultach prize, with a total value of over 4000. Of course, this money will go straight back into funding our activities for the coming year, so the community is the ultimate beneficiary. It's a great start to the year for us!”

For further information about Pobal an Chaistil’s services and activities, contact Andrew by emailing [email protected] or by phoning 2076 8583.