This article is from page 18 of the 2012-01-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 18 JPG
THE campaign to secure Gaeltacht status to parts of the county is set to be stepped up next week when the Clare Gaeltacht Committee holds an open general meeting that has targeted to attract language enthusiasts throughout the county.
Kilrush Golf Club is to play host to the gathering as part of the Irish language action group’s campaign to “to revitalize and strengthen further Irish in county Clare” and secure Gaeltacht status ahead of the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.
This new campaign was officially launched in December when the Clare Gaeltacht Committee called on language enthusiasts to embrace a four-month consultation process from January to April 2012 by sending “electronic or written submissions for Plean na Gaeilge 2012-2017 in Clare that will identify what needs to be done for Irish in the county”.
“We intend seeking Gaeltacht status for the people of County Clare in the near future,” said Kilmihil-based Seosamh Mac Ionnrachtaigh.
“To that end a new language plan for the county is going to be formed as part of revitalising the language in the county and getting back the Gaeltacht status that was taken away many years ago,” he added.
At the meeting, Mr Mac Ionnrachtaigh is set to outline the new strategy to reestablish a Gaeltacht in Clare, while other speakers will included Mary Hamilton, Séan MacMathúna, Joan McGeorge, Hazel Uí Chéitinn and Eilís Uí Chondúin.
“A Gaeltacht is an area where Irish is being spoken or heard on a daily basis,” said Mr Mac Ionnrachtaigh.
“It is estimated that there are up to 170 people in south west Clare alone with Irish and not to far in the future Irish as a spoken language will be more widespread,” he added.
In his submission to the county development plan, Mr Mac Ionnrachtaigh said “the future of the Irish language in the county is important in economic, social, infrastructural, cultural and environmental terms”.
He also said “the establishment of Gaeltacht status should be recognised in the Draft County Development Plan”.
Clare enjoyed breac-Gaeltacht status from 1929 to 2001, with the biggest Irish-speaking districts being near Ballyvaughan, Doolin, Kilkee and Carrigaholt, where the Coláiste Eoghain Uí Chomhraidhe which celebrates its centenary year in 2012 is based.