Speaker Hosts Event to Mark Seachtain Na Gaelige

Session: Session currently unavailable

Date: 10 March 2021

Reference: SO 04/20/21

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Alex Maskey MLA, today hosted a virtual event to mark Seachtain na Gaelige (Irish Language Week) at the Northern Ireland Assembly.

The event took the form of a short class on Irish language in a parliamentary context covering some basic terms and phrases which are commonly used in Assembly business.  The class was delivered by Dr Gearóid Ó Domagáin, Lecturer in Modern Irish at Ulster University and the event was opened by the Speaker and Dr Niall Comer, President of Conradh na Gaelige who coordinate Seachtain na Gaelige.

The Speaker said:

“Over the past year we have all become fast learners in relation to technology and so I am delighted that we were able to use virtual means to enable the Assembly to officially mark Seachtain na Gaelige this year.

“Over the years, many Members of the Assembly who do not speak the Irish language have become very familiar with the meaning of particular terms such as Ceann Comhairle (Speaker). Today’s short class on Irish in a parliamentary context similarly covered some basic phrases and terms frequently used in the Assembly for those who might want to use Irish themselves or who simply want to show respect by seeking to have a general understanding of the language others use.

“The events held during Seachtain na Gaelige provide the opportunity for many to reawaken their interest in Irish or to approach it for the first time but they also enable the thousands of Irish Speakers in the community to express their passion for the language they use every day. It was therefore important to ensure it was marked at the Assembly like many of the occasions which are important to different sections of our diverse community.”

ENDS

 

For media enquiries, please contact:

The Communications Office

Northern Ireland Assembly

Email: info@niassembly.gov.uk

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