We need to show Irish isn’t only a language for the classroom

19 October 2016

THE Lecale Gaelic Society has appointed a new development officer.

Aoife Nic Con Midhe started work on her four-year post last month and has hit the ground running with her enthusiasm and dedication to the job coming from a lifelong love of the Irish language.

Aoife was one of the first children to attend the Naiscoil, Downpatrick’s Irish language nursery school, before moving on to the Bunscoil for primary school children.

It was then on to Coláiste Feirste in Belfast before Aoife competed her degree in Irish language and Irish literature at the Ulster University where she won a special award for the best undergraduate dissertation.

After graduating in 2014, Aoife took a year out and worked with the Liú Lenasa group in Belfast to organise Irish language festivals but this September, it was back to her roots in Downpatrick to take up her new role which is being part-funded by Foras na Gaeilge.

Now settled into her new role, Aoife is the first development officer the Lecale Gaelic Society (Cumann Gaelac Leath Chathail) has had in six years. Based at the St. Michael’s Centre in Irish Street, the 22 year-old is one of 24 development officers working across Ireland and is relishing her new role.

Among her responsibilities are organising Irish classes in Downpatrick and other parts of East Down, supporting the growing Irish community and ensuring there are regular events for Irish speakers.

Aoife has already helped launch a new Irish language mother and toddler group and will be spending time in local schools, working with youth groups, community organisations and businesses.

She said: “Whoever wants to work with me, I will work with them, irrespective of creed or politics. I also hope to make contact with some of the Protestant churches in the area to see if any of their members are interested in learning Irish. I am aware of other areas were people from both sides of the divide have come together to learn the language.

“I have set up the new mother and toddler group and am really pleased with this. There is an increasing appetite for people in this area to learn Irish. Last year, 30 people attended the weekly classes we hold in the St Michael’s Centre. The current number we have on a Monday night is 50, the highest it has ever been.”

Aoife is planning to run a series of events to encourage Irish speakers throughout the area to attend, explaining that on the third Monday of each month and Irish lunch (Len Gaelach) is held in Downpatrick, with a social night in the St. Michael’s Centre on the fourth Monday of the month.

“The social night is a great opportunity for people to meet other Irish speakers and to help place the Irish language at the heart of our society. There is traditional music, poems and songs and is a great opportunity for people to meet each other. You do not have to be fluent to attend, just come along and speak whatever Irish you have. We will be delighted to see you,” she said.

Aoife said she cannot emphasis enough the importance of ensuring there are activities through the medium of Irish for young people in the area.

“We need to show them that Irish isn’t only a language for the classroom, but a way of life.

We also need to support children and parents and I have been asked about forming an Irish language homework club and hope to secure funding to get this off the ground,” she explained.

The Lecale Gaelic Society recently received £100,000 to help develop a new cultural resource centre in Downpatrick and it is a project Aoife hopes will come to fruition. She will be working to secure additional cash from potential funders to help ensure the new centre is established.

Strengthening the town’s Irish language youth club, Club Óige Leath Chathail, is another key priority for Aoife. She hopes to increase membership and widen the activities on offer to encourage more young people to get involved.

“Building up the youth club is very important,” Aoife continued. “Getting more people involved is of course a priority, alongside widening the activities through the medium of Irish. My new role provides me with a great opportunity and I am relishing the work ahead.

“GAA clubs in the area want to start Irish classes which I will be taking. Funding to help get them off the ground is available, but the closing date for applications is November 18, so any clubs interested should contact me as soon as possible.”

Aoife’s contact telephone number at the St Michael’s Centre is (028) 4483 8681. Her email address is eolas@leathchathail.ie.

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