An Ghaeilge i gcroílár an chluiche – long‑term impact left by the Munster GAA Irish language project

A three‑year project by Munster GAA, implemented in partnership with Foras na Gaeilge with the aim of improving, developing, and promoting the use of Irish throughout the province of Munster through GAA structures and activities, will come to an end in March.

During the period of the scheme Foras na Gaeilge funded an Irish‑language development officer post for Munster GAA in the same way as previously implemented with Ulster GAA. This post provided support, guidance, and training to clubs, county boards, schools, and communities, with a wide range of Irish‑language activities and events developed as a result.

Aedín Ní Bhriain was appointed as the Irish‑language development officer for the duration of the project, and she led and coordinated the daily implementation of the scheme. Throughout the lifetime of the project there was an emphasis on visibility and use of Irish at major and regional matches, on Irish content in programmes and digital platforms, as well as on providing training and resources for staff, officers, and committees. Strong partnerships were developed with Irish‑language organisations, natural opportunities for use were created for young people and adults alike, and a comprehensive scholarship scheme was developed to enable young people to attend the Gaeltacht.

Foras na Gaeilge Chief Executive Seán Ó Coinn and Munster GAA Chief Executive Kieran Leddy attended the project’s concluding meeting at Áras Mumhan, Limerick, on Thursday 22 January, which will officially conclude at the end of March. The highlights of the work and the substantial benefits associated with the project across Munster were discussed. It was agreed that the scheme has left a positive legacy, permanent structures, and a long‑term impact on the use of and attitudes towards the Irish language within GAA life in the province, and that this work will be built upon in the future. Foras na Gaeilge is committed to supporting similar projects in the years ahead.

Aedín Ní Bhriain will continue in her role with Munster GAA and will be employed directly by the GAA going forward, ensuring continuity of the work. She will continue to promote the Irish language across the province and will work in collaboration with the Ulster GAA officer and the Irish Language Development Officer in Croke Park on national initiatives. This decision reflects the GAA’s ongoing commitment to the Irish language and acknowledges the success and positive impact of the project.

Munster GAA Chairperson Tadhg Ó Murchú said, “Munster GAA is delighted to continue with this initiative after three years of our pilot project with Foras na Gaeilge. The promotion of our native language has always been, and will continue to be, at the heart of the GAA as an organisation, and we look forward to continuing to celebrate our rich heritage and language for generations to come.”

Foras na Gaeilge Chief Executive Seán Ó Coinn said, “Through this valuable partnership with the GAA great progress has been made by the GAA in Munster, with Ulster GAA and with GAA Headquarters in Croke Park in recent years. We look forward to building on those developments in Leinster and Connacht in the years ahead, based on the good example set by the provinces of Munster and Ulster.”

An Ghaeilge i gCroílár an Chluiche - Tionchar Fadtéarmach fágtha ag tionscadal Gaeilge CLG na Mumhan

Tiocfaidh deireadh i mí an Mhárta le tionscadal trí bliana de chuid CLG na Mumhan, a cuireadh i bhfeidhm i gcomhpháirt le Foras na Gaeilge, leis an aidhm úsáid na Gaeilge a fheabhsú, a fhorbairt agus a chur chun cinn ar fud Chúige Mumhan trí struchtúir agus gníomhaíochtaí CLG.

Le linn thréimhse na scéime mhaoinigh Foras na Gaeilge post oifigeach forbartha Gaeilge do CLG na Mumhan ar an tsamhail chéanna agus a cuireadh i bhfeidhm le CLG Uladh roimhe seo. Thug an post seo tacaíocht, treoir agus oiliúint do chlubanna, do bhoird chontae, do scoileanna agus do phobail, agus forbraíodh raon leathan gníomhaíochtaí agus imeachtaí Gaeilge dá bharr.

Ceapadh Aedín Ní Bhriain mar oifigeach forbartha Gaeilge don tréimhse, agus ba í a stiúir agus a chomhordaigh cur i bhfeidhm laethúil na scéime. Le linn shaolré an tionscadail cuireadh béim ar fheiceálacht agus ar úsáid na Gaeilge ag cluichí móra agus réigiúnacha, ar ábhar Gaeilge i gcláir agus ar ardáin dhigiteacha, chomh maith le hoiliúint agus acmhainní a chur ar fáil do bhaill foirne, d’oifigigh agus do choistí. Forbraíodh comhpháirtíochtaí láidre le heagraíochtaí Gaeilge, cruthaíodh deiseanna nádúrtha úsáide do dhaoine óga agus do dhaoine fásta araon agus forbraíodh scéim scoláireachta chuimsitheach do dhaoine óga le freastal ar an nGaeltacht.

Bhí Príomhfheidhmeannach Fhoras na Gaeilge, Seán Ó Coinn, agus Príomhfheidhmeannach CLG na Mumhan, Kieran Leddy, i láthair ag cruinniú deiridh na scéime in Áras Mumhan, Luimneach, Déardaoin an 22 Eanáir, mar chuid de phróiseas dúnta an tionscadail, a bheidh le críochnú go hoifigiúil ag deireadh mhí an Mhárta. Pléadh buaicphointí na hoibre agus an tairbhe shuntasach a bhain leis an tionscadal ar fud Chúige Mumhan. Aontaíodh gur fhág an scéim oidhreacht dhearfach, struchtúir bhuana agus tionchar fadtéarmach ar úsáid agus ar mheon i leith na Gaeilge i saol CLG sa chúige, agus go dtógfaí ar an obair sin amach anseo. Tá Foras na Gaeilge tiomanta do thacaíocht a thabhairt do thionscadail den chineál céanna amach anseo.

Leanfaidh Aedín Ní Bhriain ina ról le CLG na Mumhan agus beidh sí fostaithe go díreach ag CLG amach anseo, rud a chinnteoidh leanúnachas na hoibre. Leanfaidh sí dá cuid oibre ar chur chun cinn na Gaeilge sa chúige agus beidh sí ag obair i gcomhar leis an oifigeach i gCúige Uladh agus leis an Oifigeach Forbartha Gaeilge i bPáirc an Chrócaigh ar thionscnaimh náisiúnta. Léiríonn an cinneadh seo tiomantas leanúnach CLG don Ghaeilge agus aithnítear an rath agus an tionchar dearfach a bhain leis an tionscadal.

Dúirt Cathaoirleach CLG na Mumhan, Tadhg Ó Murchú, “Tá áthas ar CLG na Mumhan leanúint leis an tionscnamh seo, tar éis 3 bliana dár dtionscadal píolótach le Foras na Gaeilge. Bhí, agus beidh, cur chun cinn ár dteanga dúchais i gcónaí i gcroílár CLG mar eagraíocht, agus táimid ag tnúth le leanúint lenár n-oidhreacht shaibhir agus ár dteanga a cheiliúradh do na glúnta atá le teacht.”

Dúirt Príomhfheidhmeannach Fhoras na Gaeilge, Seán Ó Coinn, “Tríd an chomhpháirtíocht luachmhar seo le CLG, tá dul chun cinn mór déanta ag CLG i gCúige Mumhan, le CLG Uladh agus le Ceanncheathrú CLG i bPáirc an Chrócaigh le blianta beaga anuas. Beimid ag súil le tógáil ar na forbairtí sin i gCúigí Laighean agus Chonnacht amach anseo bunaithe ar an dea-shampla atá leagtha síos ag cúigí Mumhan agus Uladh”