Minister to launch Irish language plan for Mayo county town
Minister Dara Calleary will launch the 2025-2032 Language Plan for Castlebar as a Gaeltacht Service Town on Friday next, May 23, at 3 p.m. in the Ellison Hotel in Castlebar.
All are welcome to attend, especially all who are interested in the Irish language.
Gnó Mhaigh Eo are delighted to announce that Máire Ní Fhearraigh has been appointed as the Language Planning Officer to implement the Language Plan for Castlebar.
While announcing the appointment, Niamh De Búrca, Gnó Mhaigh Eo CEO, said that this appointment will greatly benefit the future of the Irish language in Castlebar and surrounding areas.
She said: "This Irish Language Plan aims to provide opportunities for the Gaeltacht communities in Mayo and for the community in the town itself to use the Irish Language in Castlebar. This appointment is a huge boost for the language in the county.”
Máire is a native of Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal, which is a Gaeltacht stronghold. It was there that Máire was educated, and it is also where her love for her native language, culture and heritage evolved.
“I very much look forward to this post of Language Planning Officer in Castlebar,” Máire said, “and it is a great honour for me to be involved in the promotion of Irish in the town.
“What gives me the most pleasure is working with people to promote the Irish language and culture. This is a great opportunity for the people of Castlebar.
"I feel honoured to have been appointed as an Irish Language Officer for Castlebar and I look forward to working with Gnó Mhaigh Eo, with the community and with the Advisory Committee.”
Máire has taught Irish in Dublin, Wicklow and County Mayo for many years until recently.
Since then, she has engaged in various language-related projects, including translation and research.
Gnó Mhaigh Eo were appointed as the head organisation for the language planning process in the town in 2018.
The organisation worked in conjunction with the advisory committee, which consists of members of community groups and other local representatives, and the University of Galway to write a Language Plan.
In 2022 Castlebar achieved status as a Gaeltacht Service Town.
A language plan was written for the town for the purpose of providing Irish language public and social services for residents of the town, the surrounding community, and the Gaeltacht community who come to town to conduct their business.
The town serves the Gaeltacht communities/areas of Dúiche Sheoigheach agus Tuar Mhic Éadaigh, West Mayo (Acaill) and North Mayo. Measures in the Plan include establishing a Cultúrlann (Cultural Centre) and an Irish medium secondary school.
Gnó Mhaigh Eo is an organisation which supports the business community in Mayo and encourages them to use the Irish language as a valuable and profitable economic resource. The organisation works to add to the bilingual and cultural image of the county.
The aim of the seven-year language plan is to promote and increase Irish language awareness and usage in Castlebar.