Historic Irish Language Election Hustings at Glens Arts Centre

Four North Leitrim county council election candidates took to the Glens Arts Centre stage to present themselves to the Irish language community. These were Bláithín Gallagher (Green), James Gilmartin (Ind), Caitríona Bergin (FG) and Michelle Brennan-Shyabo (SF).

The candidates prepared speeches as Gaeilge on four of six topics: housing; agriculture; immigration; tourism; environmental threats, and An Ghaeilge.

Despite occasional pronunciation issues with terms like agrafhoraoiseacht (agroforestry) and bithéagsúlacht (biodiversity), the audience was impressed by their command and competence.

Many remarked that if this was Leitrim’s first Irish language hustings, the language’s future in the county is bright.

Each had differing backgrounds, from Caitríona's Dublin schooling in Irish to Michelle's Belfast school that didn't teach it, to James and Bláithín who learned Irish in Leitrim.

All expressed their grá for the language and pledged to support an Irish language officer and budget for the sector. Caitríona proposed seeking Gaeltacht status due to the number of speakers she has encountered since moving eight years ago.

On immigration, all agreed that refugees must be accommodated. Bláithín noted Irish people's historical emigration and that our huge Irish diaspora showed that Irish people had been accommodated all over the world, with many entering America illegally.

Michelle supported her party’s policy to expedite asylum claims to prevent prolonged stays in private direct provision. She added that unverified claims should result in deportation.

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On agriculture and environmental threats, James, chair of Treasure Leitrim, criticised the shift to monoculture sitka spruce which diverts too many farmers from traditional farming, and warned of gold mining and harmful extractive industries making Leitrim a "sacrifice zone."

Bláithín spoke of the Green Party's 40-year-old warnings and their current efforts in government to address the lack of past responses.

Caitríona, a holiday accommodation provider, advocated for more investment to boost North Leitrim tourism, noting 85% of the €40 million Council budget is spent in South Leitrim.

All agreed on the need to expedite new housing, suggesting Leitrim’s empty houses and vacant above-shop premises as quick fixes.

Michelle cited a damning government housing report, implying that voting for ruling parties means maintaining the lack of urgency.

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During the Q&A, another fluent candidate, not part of the panel, asked to address the audience. Rossa Ó Snodaigh, the chair, put the decision to the audience. They reluctantly agreed, however, then asked him, as Gaeilge, to stop and leave.

After bellowing some accusations, the candidate left to continue his remonstrations outside, whereupon Rossa quipped “A sure sign of a living language was when disagreements were expressed in it.”

The Q&A proceeded, with candidates having to break into English for more nuanced responses. Leitrim’s former Irish Language officer, Seán Ó Murchú, presented a list of requests from Conradh na Gaeilge for change and support.

He commended Caitríona's passion for the language, before mentioning that FG was the only party that did not sign up to Conradh na Gaeilge’s objectives.