Cairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge gathered for their annual vibrant summer barbecue, better known as the Fulacht Fia Chairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge. This bilingual event was sponsored by Cairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge: Stewart Construction, KD Autoparts, Galway Executive Skillnet and winners of Gradam 2024, Lally Tours. Míle buíochas leo ar fad.
The Cairde members and guests enjoyed a wonderful evening of fabulous food, bilingual networking and socialising, along with lively entertainment provided by the brilliant Mike Stewart, Maria Fahy and Joe Nolan. Photographer Seán Lydon was on site to capture the smiles in their abundance.
Bríd Ní Chonghóile, príomhfheidhmeannach Gaillimh le Gaeilge, extended a céad míle fáilte to all of Cairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge and guests. She also welcomed Dr Aodhán Mac Cormaic, ard-rúnaí cúnta, Roinn na Gaeltachta, Teachtaí Dála, stiúrthóirí Ghaillimh le Gaeilge, elected members of Galway City Council, Fulacht Fia sponsors, supporting businesses and organisations, as well as all of the Gradam 2024 winners.
Ms Ní Chonghóile also announced to new board members to join Bord Stiúrtha Ghaillimh le Gaeilge. They are Eithne Verling and Méabh Conaghan.
Eithne Verling has practical and relevant expertise in the Irish language, leadership, strategic and creative thinking and curating, and is committed to providing a deeper understanding of and facilitating greater access to our unique heritage, culture and language, particularly along the west coast of Ireland. Having grown up in a family of creatives, Eithne believes in the power of creativity and imagination to solve most, if not all, problems.
Méabh Conaghan worked in London for several years in the financial services and marketing sectors and returned to Ireland to run a family hotel before joining Enterprise Ireland in 2000. Méabh is a fluent Irish speaker with strong connections with culture and the arts. She is currently chair of the Eragail Arts Festival, an arts festival every July in Co Donegal.
Their practical experience, interest, and expertise will greatly benefit Gaillimh le Gaeilge moving forward.
The Fulacht Fia marks the end of Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s bilingual networking events until September. However, there are still opportunities available to attend the following scheduled free events to brush up on your Irish: Aon Scéal every Wednesday at 7pm in the Harbour Hotel until the end of July. Also, there will be a Ciorcal Comhrá at lunchtime on Tuesday July 9 in PorterShed a Dó and a Maidin Chaife at the Galway City Library on Thursday July 11 from 11am to 12 noon. For updates on venue and time changes, follow Gaillimh le Gaeilge on social media.
In the coming months, Gaillimh le Gaeilge will continue with its bilingual services - preparations are underway for the Tonnta festival which will take place from January 31 to February 3 2025. Work will continue developing an Irish Culture Centre in partnership with the Department of the Gaeltacht and other interested parties. All these proposals will support pursuing the status of a Gaeltacht Service Town for Galway city
Gaillimh le Gaeilge wishes to thank everyone who attended the Fulacht Fia, with a special míle buíochas to its sponsors. Go raibh míle maith agaibh. Buíochas also to the staff of the Ardilaun Hotel for their fáilte chroíúil. To all the Cairde and supporters of Gaillimh le Gaeilge – buíochas ó chroí to you all for supporting our bilingual Galway city. Ní neart go cur le chéile.
