Fullbright student to spearhead Irish language plan

JOHN Prendergast from Tralee has received a three year contract to implement the Irish Language plan in West Kerry, where he has close family ties. He will join Cristín de Mordha who has already been appointed as the Oifigeach Cúnta by plan promoters Comharchumann Forbartha Chorca Dhuibhne.

The plan submitted by the Comharchumann is in line with the Government’s 20-year strategy for the Irish Language 2018-2030. It aims to achieve a 25 per cent increase in the number of daily speakers of Irish in the Gaeltacht by 2030. This is part of the Government plan to reverse the decline in Irish speakers and address the status of Irish, which is one of the oldest languages in Europe but is also categorised as ‘definitely endangered’ by UNESCO.

The fragile state of the language is one of the reasons that John has turned his attention to supporting Irish in West Kerry “Is ceantar speisialta é Ciarraí Thiar agus is í an Ghaelainn an seoid luachmhar don leithinis dar liom. Is ar an mbonn sin, agus an baol don teanga atá aitheanta sa phlean agus i dtaighde eile, go bhfuilim lántiománta deaimpleacht a imirt ar labhairt na Gaelainne ar an iomlán i gCorca Dhuibhne agus aniar”.

John will focus on increasing the use of Irish amongst young people. Because of the comprehensive nature of the plan the support of the people and organisations in West Kerry is vital to the success of their efforts.

Born and raised in Tralee, John Prendergast has a first class honours degree in Law and Irish from UCC as well as an MA from Cardiff University. As a recipient of a Fullbright Foreign Language Teaching Award he is currently teaching Irish and studying at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, USA.

Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Awards are granted to Irish or EU citizens resident in Ireland for three or more years, to spend 10 months in an American university teaching Irish and studying. Recipients are recognised as having strong leadership qualities.

The Irish language plans which are being prepared in 26 different areas across the country are a development from the Acht Gaeltachta of 2012.