Dr John Breslin has been appointed the new Cathaoirleach of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, the organisation responsible for promoting the Irish language to reinforce Galway’s status as an official bilingual city.
Dr Breslin is a professor of electronic engineering at the University of Galway and director of the Masters in Agricultural Innovation at the University. He is a researcher at the SFI Insight, Confirm and VistaMilk Centres. He is researching ‘semantically interlinked online communities’ (SIOC ), a Semantic Web project to link internet conversations with discussion forums.
He was the recipient of two Net Visionary awards from the Irish Internet Association in 2005 and 2006, for the websites boards.ie and adverts.ie He was also a co-founder of the City Innovation District (PorterShed ) in 2016. He is co-author and colourist of the “Old Ireland in Colour” books in 2020 and 2021. He is from Fanore in County Clare.
Bernadette Mullarkey outgoing Cathaoirleach of Gaillimh le Gaeilge congratulated John Breslin on his appointment.
“John’s expertise in the business and technology sectors is recognised both nationally and internationally. His vast practical experience will further assist the Bord Stiúrtha in progressing the organisation and securing an Irish Language Cultural Centre for Galway City.”
As he took over the position of Cathaoirleach, he thanked and commended Bernadette Mullarkey.
“Thar cheann an Bhoird, ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leat as do thréimhse spreagúil, tairbhiúil mar Chathaoirleach le Gaillimh le Gaeilge agus go deimhin, le hIar-Chathaoirligh agus le hiar-bhaill bhoird uile as a gceannas, a ndílseacht agus a gcúnamh chun fís na heagraíochta a chur chun cinn. Tá mé ag súil go mór le bheith ag obair leis an mBord Stiúrtha agus le foireann Ghaillimh le Gaeilge le tógáil ar an obair sin.
“Going forward, we must always ensure that the Irish language and its culture continue to play a significant role in shaping our city. The world is a global economy, but we must never lose sight of what makes us unique as a people and as a city.
“In the coming months, I will work closely with the Bord Stiúrtha and other stakeholders to progress the following measures outlined in the organisation’s strategy; to establish an Irish Language Cultural Centre for the city and secure its status as a Gaeltacht Service Town. Taking these steps will strengthen the Irish language and Galway’s status as an official bilingual city,” he said.
