The Daltaí Boards: Nollaig Ó Gadhra, Uachtarán Conradh na Gaeilge

A chairde,

Fuair Daltaí na Gaeilge an nóta suimiúil thíos inniu. MED.

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CÁIRDE NA TEANGA GAEILGE – FRIENDS OF THE IRISH LANGUAGE

Lón Gaolach / Gaelic Brunch
Meán Fhomhar 2004

Baile ó Dhia Oraibh/ Ort!

A bi-lingual lón / brunch will be held for Nollaig Ó Gadhra, Uachtarán/President of Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League) in Ireland, at 11:00 am, on Sunday, October 10th, 2004 at McGee’s, 240 West 55th Street in New York City (Manhattan). The above-named ad-hoc committee is in formation to get the event off the ground. Your participation is invited.

Nollaig, whose Irish input into W.B.A.I. radio (99.5 FM) over the past 15 years is already part of New York’s Irish heritage, is currently President of Conradh na Gaeilge, the Gaelic League which was founded by Dr. Douglas Hyde in 1893. Nollaig is particularly anxious to get to know and to coordinate the various Irish language learning efforts in the tri-state area, as well as seeking to expand facilities for using the language at every level. He has been invited again this year to deliver a lecture at the 24th Annual Celtic Studies Colloquium, at Harvard University, Boston (Oct. 8-9th, 2004), mar a mbeidh sé ag trácht ar staid reatha na Gaeltachta agus cad is gá a dhéanamh ag an bpointe seo lena chinntiú go mairfidh an teanga sna pobail Ghaeltachta mar bheo-theanga. Nollaig studied at the Harvard International Seminar in 1969, and returned to that university in 1999 to lecture on the future of the Irish language in the 21st century shortly after the establishment of TG4, the first ever Irish language television service – a venture in which he played a part as a member of the first Comhairle / Advisory Council.

The past year has seen two major advances for the Irish language, at home and internationally, with the passing of a Language Equality Act and the appointment of Ireland’s first ever Language Commissioner to protect the civil rights of Irish speakers along lines similar to those in use in Canada for the past 30 years. But more significantly perhaps, Conradh na Gaeilge, under Nollaig’s leadership, and in cooperation with others in the national STÁDAS campaign have persuaded the Irish (Fianna Fáil/ Progressive Democrats) Government to change its mind after 33 years and to seek recognition for Irish as a full official, Community and working language in the new 25 nation European Community. This battle is not fully won yet, but this STÁDAS victory is probably the most significant move in favour of the Irish language in the political arena, since the decision of the new National University of Ireland (N.U.I.) to make Irish a core subject for matriculation in 1908, 8 years before the Easter Rising, and more than a decade before the First Dáil Éireann came into being.

This Lón / Brunch event will give speakers and supporters of the Irish language an opportunity to speak, listen to or practise what Gaeilge they have in the company of beginners, of more advanced students, of native speakers and of scholars who will be present. Nollaig will speak on the prospects for An Gaeilge (the Irish language), and take, and answer, questions in both languages. Beidh fáilte roimh chách é gach aicme chreidrimh is polaitíochta.

McGee’s is on West 55th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue on the south side of the street; there are parking garages next to and across from the restaurant – it is also easily accessible from the 57th Street stop of the N, W, R and Q subway lines (use 55th Street exit onto Broadway). The event will include an ample Irish brunch in a pleasant and private setting and will cost $40.00 per ticket of which $20.00 will be profit that, along with any contributions from those who may not be able to attend, will be donated to Conradh na Gaeilge in Ireland. Tickets are limited and will be available on a first paid basis.

All organisations that are involved in promoting An Gaeilge or other aspects of our Irish heritage in the tri-state area are encouraged to request their members to participate in this very special event. Go maire ár dteanga beo ar bheola ár muintire, thall agus abhus, agus go gcloistear go binn í ar fud na cruinne!

Please make checks or M.O. payable to the “1798 Committee” (add note for “Gaelic Brunch”), and send to the address below.

Is mise, le meas, / Yours respectfully,

Liam Ó Murchadha
(Member, Bronx Gaelic League)

CÁIRDE NA TEANGA GAEILGE – FRIENDS OF THE IRISH LANGUAGE
c/o Liam Murphy
178 Woodruff Avenue
Scarsdale, New York 10583-5542