Gaillimh le Gaeilge hosted a successful bilingual event in the Eyre Square Shopping Centre in Galway City to celebrate Oíche Chultúir.
Among the festivities celebrating culture, Gaillimh le Gaeilge, which promotes the Irish language in the city, demonstrated how Irish offers many benefits as well as making Galway unique.
Cairde and Foireann Ghaillimh le Gaeilge met with the Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Eddie Hoare, who stopped by to say hello on the night. He was joined by the Deputy Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr Dónal Lyons.
Guests were entertained with live music by Rattling Strings, (supported by c), sean nós dancing by Seána Redmond, as well as entertainment from special guests, An Taibhdhearc.
Children enjoyed giving their cúpla focal a go while getting their faces painted by Cic Beag.
During the evening, Foireann Ghaillimh le Gaeilge met members of the public who were interested in learning about An Ghaeilge as well as upcoming Irish language and bilingual events in the city.
The Irish language planning officer, Majella O’Meara, spoke to members of the public about the wide range of events and services available in the city including the conversation group – Aon Scéal, Pop Up Gaeltacht, After school clubs for primary school children as well as Radio and Sound skills course for Transition year students.
Grace Ní Chonghaile, Projects Officer with Gaillimh le Gaeilge, extended a céad míle fáilte to everyone.
“One of the reasons we are here this evening is to promote ‘An tSeirbhís trí Ghaeilge’ that’s available in our city,” she said.
“As part of the implementation of Galway’s City Irish Language Plan, new brooch pins, were created by University of Galway so that staff who provide services in Irish on campus could be easily identified.
“We are now distributing these brooch pins to businesses that can offer a seirbhís trí Ghaeilge in the city.”
The communicative use and knowledge of Irish in Galway city as a community language is one of the main objectives in the Irish Language Plan for Galway city.
The plan includes the creation of a local directory ‘An tEolaire – Seirbhís trí Ghaeilge’’.
This is a comprehensive list of businesses and organisations in the city who can provide a ‘Seirbhís trí Ghaeilge’ and can be found on Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s website.
Over the next few months, Gaillimh le Gaeilge has a very busy schedule as they prepare for Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh, Galway’s Bilingual Business Award, as well as a new bilingual festival planned for St Brigid’s bank holiday in February next year.
