Written answers

Wednesday, 22 October 2014

Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Irish Language

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

240. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps she will take to promote the Irish language in the course of the 1916 commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40651/14]

Photo of Joe McHughJoe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A number of initiatives are being undertaken for the purpose of promoting the Irish language in the course of the 1916 Commemorations Programme. The development of a cultural centre at Teach an Phiarsaigh in Ros Muc, Co. Galway, is being progressed by a steering group comprising the various stakeholders, including Údarás na Gaeltachta, Galway County Council, the Office of Public Works, Fáilte Ireland and my own Department. I consider it very fitting that this project is being advanced as part of the 1916 Commemorations Programme since the development of Teach an Phiarsaigh will bring together the legacy of Pádraig Pearse’s contribution to Irish history and education and, in particular, his involvement with the Irish language and the Gaeltacht community. This development will undoubtedly benefit the area in terms of increased tourism, particularly in terms of cultural tourism and the creation of employment in the area. In addition to being one of the flagship projects of the Commemorations Programme, I am advised that Teach an Phiarsaigh is afforded special recognition in Fáilte Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way project, Connemara Destination Plan and Connemara Driving Tour and is a key component of the strategy to develop the tourism sector in Connemara.

The digitisation of the National Folklore Collection of Ireland is another project under development. This project, which is called Dúchas.ie, commenced in 2012 and is the result of a partnership between the National Folklore Collection in UCD, Fiontar in DCU and my own Department. This Irish folklore repository, some of which is already available online, features pages of handwritten folklore and local history recorded in 1937-38 by Irish schoolchildren as part of the Schools' Collection. It is intended that a significant part of this Collection, including material from Gaeltacht areas, will be available online for the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

My Department is also providing grant aid to the Royal Irish Academy to facilitate the digitisation and online publication by 2016 of Irisleabhar na Gaedhilge, an Irish language periodical published between 1882 and 1926 with regular contributions from the leaders of the 1916 Rising.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.