The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Big plans for Iveragh Gaeltacht
COMHCHOISTE HOPES LANGUAGE PLAN WILL BE APPROVED IN COMING MONTHS
A NEW series of webisodes outlining plans to promote the Irish language in South Kerry’s Uíbh Ráthach Gaeltacht sounds a clear warning: the native language, a crucial element of the region’s DNA, is in danger of dying.
What follows that sombre opening however is an enthusiastic, uplifting 15 minutes of film: the people of Uíbh Ráthach share with the world their dream of a region where the language is always within earshot, and outline how they plan to realise that dream.
A language planning process began in South Kerry in late 2014, and in that time distinct local groups including parents, sports teams, business interests and more have shared their ideas at a number of consultations and through surveys.
Chomhchoiste Ghaeltachtaí Chiarraí Theas (CGCT) is the organisation charged with leading Uíbh Ráthach’s language planning, and CGCT’s Caitlín Breathnach said that process is almost complete.
“We’re hoping to receive approval from the relevant bodies – namely Údarás na Gaeltachta and Roinn na Gaeltachta – within the next two months, before we begin a seven-year process of promoting the language.
“Our chief aim is to boost the number of people speaking Irish in a natural way around our peninsula, and to strengthen the language within each sector of the community.
“Some people have Irish, and we need to give them opportunities to use it. Others might not have as much, but we need to make it clear that any effort is welcome - using a small bit of Irish is better than not using it at all.”
The ‘Gaeilge Uíbh Ráthaigh’’ Facebook page has in recent weeks shared the webisode series, which consists of three five-minute videos.
The videos highlight hat the seven areas this plan concerns are currently home to just 83 daily Irish speakers - but several locals also outline the ideas they think can boost that figure.
“One thing that kept coming up at local meetings was the need for a homework club run through Irish, at which children can practice the language,” An Dromod’s Brian Ó Riordáin said.
“We also want to organise a ‘Ciorcal Comhrá for our youth, and our hope is to get young people speaking while having fun.”
While sustaining the language amongst the youth is an important aspect of the plan, those behind the process are clear that they want to get people of all ages using even cúpla focail. The videos outline plans to set up an Irish drama group for adults, as well as organising more opportunities for senior citizens to use the language.
To find out more about Uíbh Ráthach’s language planning process, you can watch the videos on Facebook at ‘Gaeilge Uíbh Ráthaigh’, or contact the comhchoiste at (066) 947 4888.