Leitrim people with an interest in the Irish language to come together this November

On Thursday, November 14, Leitrim people who are committed to Gaeilge will gather together in the Allen Gaels clubhouse at Shane McGettigan Park, Drumshanbo from 7pm to 8:30pm to discuss the progress of the language in the county and to make plans for its expansion.

There is a great deal of interest and enthusiasm for the Irish language in the county at the moment, with two thriving Gaelscoileanna, Gaelscoil Liatroma i gCora Droma Rúisc and Gaelscoil Chluainín i gCluainín. 

There are Ciorcail Chomhrá groups in Ballinamore, Manorhamilton, Leitrim Village and Dromahair, with Irish classes at other centres. 

Cumann na bhFiann run youth clubs through the medium of Irish in Drumshanbo and Ballinamore. 

There are branches of Conradh na Gaeilge in Ballinamore and Manorhamilton as well as Glór na nGael. 

“You would be surprised at the number of people in Leitrim who are interested in the Irish language and the number who speak it regularly,” said Seán Ó Súilleabháin, Ballinamore.

Rediscover Irish: Free lessons as Gaeilge at Leitrim County Library

Irish lessons will take place in Ballinamore Library from October 8, free of charge for beginners and those at a similar skill level.

“In the 2022 Census, 11,263 persons, or 32 percent of the population of County Leitrim, said they spoke Irish well and 2,815 persons, or eight percent, said they spoke Irish very well.”

One of the key developments Tionól Gaeilge Liatroma will be hoping for is to see an Oifigeach Gaeilge employed by Leitrim County Council to further the development of the Gaeilge in the county.

Leitrim once had a full-time Oifigeach Gaeilge for a period of about ten months in 2012 and Seán Ó Murchadha filled that role.

Anyone with an interest in the Irish language is welcome to come to the meeting on Thursday, November 14.

For more information, call or text Seán Ó Súilleabháin on 086 6821566.

Beidh fáilte roimh duine ar bith go bhfuil spéis acu sa Ghaeilge bualadh isteach ar an Tionól ar an Déardaoin. 

Má ta eolas ar bith uait, is féidir glaoch nó téacs ar Seán Ó Súilleabháin ag 087 6821566.

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