Irish language groups in Leitrim set sights on further growth

Pictured are some of the large crowd that attended the weekly Irish classes last spring in Ballinamore Library. | Seán Ó Suilleabháin

placeholder image — Pictured are some of the large crowd that attended the weekly Irish classes last spring in Ballinamore Library. | Seán Ó Suilleabháin

Leitrim’s Irish language community will gather in Drumshanbo next week to celebrate new initiatives, discuss progress and plan the next stage of growth.

Leitrim people who are involved in promoting the Irish language will come together in the Allen Gaels clubhouse at Shane McGettigan Park, Drumshanbo on Thursday night of next week, 8 October at 7pm to discuss the progress of the language in the county and to make plans for further expansion.

Tionól Gaeilge Liatroma is the annual get-together of a variety of groups and individuals who run Irish classes and Ciorcail Chomhrá (Conversation groups) throughout the county as well as activities for youth groups.

Since they met this time last year, the main organiser of the event, Seán Ó Súilleabhain, is particularly pleased to see that new classes and Ciorcail Comhrá have started in Carrick-on-Shannon, Drumshanbo, and Kiltyclogher.

“As of now, there is hardly a town or village in the county without an Irish conversation group meeting throughout the winter months, and these are all about to restart now” he said with satisfaction.

Seán pointed out that just recently Glór na nGael awarded a major prize to a Manorhamilton project for parents and children called Tae agus Play, spearheaded by Siún Mhig Fhloinn.

“There is a tremendous 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 were already Ciorcail Chomhrá groups in Ballinamore, Manorhamilton, Leitrim Village, Dromahair and Mohill. Cumann na bhFiann run youth clubs through the medium of Irish in Drumshanbo and Ballinamore and many other initiatives are happening throughout the county.”

One of the key developments the Tionól will be hoping for is to see a full-time Oifigeach Gaeilge employed by Leitrim County Council to further the development of the language in the county.

Seán Ó Súilleabháin also indicated that they would particularly like to see more primary school teachers, and teachers of Irish in secondary schools, in attendance at the Tionól. They are all part of the “family” who ensure that Irish is alive and well in Leitrim.

Beidh fáilte roimh duine ar bith go bhfuil spéis acu sa Ghaeilge bualadh isteach ar an Tionól ar an Déardaoin, 8ú Deireadh Fómhair. Má tá eolas ar bith uait, is féidir glaoch nó téacs ar Seán Ó Súilleabháin ag 087 6821566.