County council’s Seachtain na Gaeilge programme is a big success

SLIGO County Council hosted a dynamic array of events for its Seachtain na Gaeilge programme this March. Seachtain na Gaeilge le Energia which ran from 1-17th March is one of the biggest celebrations of our native language and culture that takes place each year, in Ireland and internationally.

The festival gives an opportunity to everyone to enjoy Irish, whether you are a fluent speaker, learner or have a cúpla focal. Sligo County Council organised a calendar of entertaining and inclusive events for every type of interest and every age group.

The Council kicked off it’s Seachtain na Gaeilge events with Lá Mór na Gaeilge in the Council Chamber on March 7. This was a historic event as no English was spoken in the Chamber on this day. Students from Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré, who had won a class competition functioned as County Councillors and made submissions on improvements they wanted to see implemented in Sligo in front of An Cathaoirleach and other Elected Members.

In presenting the students with a certificate an Cathaoirleach Cllr. Mullaney remarked: “Ot was wonderful to hear the Irish language being spoken in abundance in the Chamber.” He commended the students on their efforts “to preserve and promote the language”. Two secondary school students were presented with scholarships to the Gaeltacht in the Council Chamber also. Juliet Ní hIcí from Aonad Loch Gile, Coláiste na Trócaire, won an Art Competition where she depicted the varied work of the Council beautifully. Ríona Ní Chnáimhsí, St Mary’s College, Ballisodare, wrote a personal account of what Sligo County Council means to her.

Both students will spend three weeks immersed in the language in the Donegal Gaeltacht this summer as a result of their efforts.

Speaking at the event, dúirt an Cllr Marie Casserly: “Cuirfidh mé féin agus mo chomhghleacaithe sa chomhairle bhur mholtaí go léar san áireamh, tá ár dtodhchaí slán sábháilte go cinnte.”

On March 8, an Dr Seosamh Mac Muirí gave a very insightful guided tour in Irish on the history and meaning of Sligo’s streetnames to an attentive audience.

Sligo Library kicked off their varied programme of events for Seachtain na Gaeilge on March 13 with a series of Tráth na gCeist for students from Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré and from Aonad Loch Gile, Coláiste na Trócaire.

That evening saw a great turn-out at a Pop-Up Gaeltacht event which filled McLynn’s Bar, Old Market Street with comhrá while being entertained by a traditional seisiún ceoil.

On March 14, Sligo Library hosted renowned biologist and author Éanna Ní Lamhná who gave a riverting presentation os Gaeilge on our native flora and fauna to students from Gaelscoil Chnoc na Ré. The following day on the 15th March, saw Sligo Library launch their Ciorcal Comhrá which was open to the public and will become a regular feature in the Library.

Speaking on the Council’s Programme of Events, Oifigeach Gaeilge Edel Mhic Amhlaidh, said: “Sligo has a large Irishspeaking population made up of fluent speakers and learners.

“The Council are very mindful of their responsibilities to promote an Ghaeilge and were delighted with the attendance and support of the public at their Seachtain na Gaeilge activities. We plan to foster and develop the connections created by these events into the future.”