Neo-Gaeltacht
 | This article needs to be updated. (February 2011) |
A Neo-Gaeltacht (Irish: Gaeltacht Nua) is an area where Irish is the predominant spoken language, but is not part of the officially defined or traditional Gaeltacht areas.
Belfast
In February 2002, the report of the West Belfast Task Force recommended turning part of West Belfast into An Ceathrú Gaeltachta/The Gaeltacht Quarter [1], encompassing a population of 20,000 people as it is widely felt[citation needed] that if the language is to survive, it must make a come-back in Irish cities. The proposal was accepted and put into force by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure in Northern Ireland.[2]
Belfast's Gaeltacht Quarter is now an area in which the Irish language is spoken widely. The area is home to Gaelscoileanna (Irish-medium primary schools), Gaelcholáistí (secondary schools), Naíonraí (crèches) and Naíscoileanna (nursery schools). The area has Irish language restaurants and agencies and is home to both Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich (the city's Irish language cultural centre). The Gaeltacht Quarter also has two community radio stations: Raidió Fáilte, Northern Ireland's only full-time Irish language radio station and Féile FM, a third of whose content is in Irish.
Dublin
In a special report on the 13/1/2009 on Nuacht TG4 news, it was confirmed that a group in Ballymun, in conjunction with the local branch of Glór na Gael have received planning permission to build 40 homes for people who want to live in an Irish-speaking community in the heart of the city. There are 4 Gaelscoileanna schools and Naíonraí creches in the area, as well as a shop where Irish is spoken. Deposits have been given already by those who want to live in such a community, and are all very positive about the project. Irish language classes will be organised for those who want to improve their Irish. It is expected that the project will be complete by the end of 2009. The group hopes that their project may become a prototype for other similar mini-Ghaeltachts around the country.
South Derry
Minister Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, recently announced the launch of a strategy for the rebirth of the South Derry Gaeltacht in the Sleacht Néill / Carn Tóchair area, outside Maghera. The area was over 50% Irish speaking in 1901; it has had a Gaelscoil and Naíscoil for some time. "The area is unique in that it is the only rural area in Ireland outside the official Gaeltacht where the majority of local primary school children are educated through the medium of Irish. There is now a young, vibrant and ever-growing Irish-speaking population who use Irish in their everyday life and who are helping to support and promote Irish to the younger children." [3]
North America
Baile na hÉireann is a designated Gaeltacht area in Ontario, Canada.
See Also
References
- ^ "West Belfast Task Force Report" (PDF). West Belfast Task Force. 2002. Retrieved 2011-07-10.
- ^ Irish language at DCALNI.gov.uk
- ^ http://www.ancarn.org/projects/language-development/news-events/south-derry-gaeltacht-reborn.html
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