Micheál Óg Mac Aoidh has been appointed as the co-ordinator for Galway City’s new Irish Language Plan and will take up the position in September to commence its implementation.
A graduate of NUI Galway, Mr Mac Aoidh is a native of Galway City and was brought up in an Irish-speaking household in Salthill. His mother, the late Dr Eithne Conway-McGee was a well-known and well-loved family doctor who instilled a love of the Irish language and culture in her family.
Growing up, he was immersed in the Arts scene in Galway City, and in Irish-language theatre in particular. He worked for several Irish language theatre groups, including An Taibhdhearc, (Amharclann Náisiúna na Gaeilge ) Fíbín and Na Fánaithe and regularly volunteered with Galway International Arts Festival, Macnas, Cúirt and other Arts organisations in the City.
Mr Mac Aoidh became the first-ever Irish language planning officer in Ireland. He worked as a language planning officer for three years in the Gaeltacht region of Cloich Cheann Fhaola in Donegal, initiating many innovative language projects. He also spent two years working for a publishing company in Sao Paulo in Brazil.
Gaelic city
Speaking about his appointment, he said “táim fíorbhródúil as cathair na Gaillimhe. Tá spleodar agus beocht faoi leith i nGaillimh agus creidim féin gurb í ceann de na háiteanna is fearr ar domhan le bheith ag maireachtáil agus ag obair ann. Cuireann an Ghaeilge go mór leis an spleodar agus leis an mbeocht sin.
“Like most Galwegians, I am immensely proud of our city. It is one of the most wonderful places to live and work and the city has an amazing spirit. I believe the Irish language adds greatly to Galway’s vibrancy and energy. Being seen as a modern, progressive ‘Gaelic’ city bestows Galway with a unique and highly appealing identity.
“The language sets us apart and gives us a unique selling point or ‘brand’. The language can benefit the City in so many ways: economically, in terms of tourism, in terms of identity and branding and in enhancing the life of the City in general,” he said.
He said that the story of the Irish language in Galway City over the last thirty or so years is a hugely positive one.
“Galway is surrounded by the largest and strongest Gaeltacht in the country and Irish has always played an important part in the life of the city. It is no surprise that Galwegians are proud of their linguistic and cultural heritage.
Language roadmap
“I believe the language can benefit our city in so many ways and Galway’s language planning process will set out a roadmap to ensure we maximise all the benefits An Ghaeilge offers us. Language planning can be a complex and difficult process; however, the aims are simple. We want to ensure that more Irish is seen, spoken, and heard on the streets and in the suburbs of Galway.
“Gaillimh le Gaeilge has done such amazing work over the past 30 years and has laid a very strong foundation, including transforming the image of Irish in the City. I hope to build on this work and look forward to working with them, Galway City Council and other key stakeholders in the City, as together we work to implement the 36 measures outlined in the language plan”.
Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Brendan McGrath welcomed the new appointment.
“Following the recent approval by the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht of the language plan for Galway City prepared in partnership with Galway City Council, Gaillimh le Gaeilge and other local stakeholders, I am very pleased to see this timely appointment which will advance the implementation of the plan under the leadership of Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
“Elected Members and staff of Galway City Council look forward to working with Micheál Óg Mac Aoidh and his colleagues in the months and years ahead to affirm and consolidate our City’s standing and support for the Irish language.”
Cathaoirleach Ghaillimh le Gaeilge, Bernadette Mullarkey, welcomes Micheál to the Gaillimh le Gaeilge team and looks forward to working with him over the next few years to implement the plan.
“Fáiltím roimh cheapachán Mhichíl mar Chomhordaitheoir Pleanála Teanga le Gaillimh le Gaeilge. Cuirfidh a thaithí leathan agus a chuid scileanna in obair na pleanála teanga go mór leis an obair atá ar siúl ag ár n-eagraíocht i gcur chun cinn na Gaeilge sa Chathair agus chun Plean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe a chur i bhfeidhm.
“With the continued assistance from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Foras na Gaeilge, we look forward to working with Micheál and with our partners, Galway City Council, as well as the other stakeholders who have already given their commitment to implement the plan,” she concluded.
Increase use and knowledge
The main aim of the Irish language plan, in line with Government policy, is to increase the use and communicative knowledge of Irish as a community language in Galway City on an incremental basis. The plan will strengthen Galway’s status as an official bilingual City and draw public attention to the importance of bilingual service delivery in the City, especially for those who wish to conduct their business in Irish in the public and private sectors.
The plan outlines 36 measures to be implemented over the seven-year period under the stewardship of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, in partnership with Galway City Council. An advisory group, representing the organisations and institutions associated with the roll-out of the 36 measures, will support the two lead partners in overseeing the day-to-day implementation of the plan. The result of all of this will be the provision of public, commercial and entertainment services that will benefit the city community and the Gaeltacht.
The City’s language plan is a roadmap that is based on extensive consultation and reflects the aspirations of Galway residents. It also demonstrates that Galway is of immense importance as a Gaeltacht Service Town, as the city has a long-established reputation for Irish and is adjacent to the country’s largest and strongest Gaeltacht area.
