News digest, to 9ú lá Mí Feabhra

High Profile Names Added To Ennis Book Club Festival Line-up (Feb 4, 2008)
http://www.live-pr.com/en/high-profile-names-added-to-ennis-r1048181357.htm
“A number of high profile names have been added to the bill for the Ennis Book Club Festival 2008, which takes place in the Clare capital from 29th February to 2nd March.
“Event organisers have secured the participation of Diarmuid Gavin, writer, garden designer and TV personality; Richard Tillinghast, critically acclaimed US poet; Fintan O’Toole, drama critic, journalist and broadcaster; Ré Ó Laighléis, the biggest selling contemporary writer in the Irish language; Theo Dorgan, award winning Cork-born poet and broadcaster; and Vincent Woods, playwright, poet and presenter of RTE Radio One’s ‘The Arts Show’.”

Maurice Hayes Appointed Chairman Of Irish Language Broadcast Fund (Feb 5, 2008)
http://www.4rfv.co.uk/industrynews.asp?id=71244
“Northern Ireland Screen has announced the appointment of Maurice Hayes to the Board of the Commission and as Chairman of the Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) Sub-Committee.”

Irish ties growing at UM (Feb 5, 2008)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/02/05/news/local/news04.txt
“Katie Ni Loingsigh, a student at the University College Cork in Ireland, could hardly believe her ears when she learned her educational exchange with the University of Montana would include an internship with U.S. Magistrate Jeremiah Lynch.
“... While they are in Missoula, the Irish law students will be working with Lynch and Chief U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy, taking classes at UM's Law School, and assisting UM Irish history and Irish language instructor Terry O'Riordain.”

Washington Pressure on Dodds (Feb 5, 2008)
http://lark.phoblacht.net/SMCM0208.html
“Fr. Mc Manus concluded, ‘What I’m hearing time and time again is “Are we just expected to keep on welcoming members of the DUP to Washington, while back in Northern Ireland the DUP demonstrates contempt for Catholics and disrespects the Irish language?” Isn’t it sad all this is happening so soon after the very positive visit of Dr. Paisley and Martin Mc Guinness?’”

Gardai contact Nepalese over leading poet's sex with boys (Feb 6, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gardai-contact-nepalese-over-leading-poets-sex-with-boys-1282538.html
“Gardai have been in contact with the authorities in Nepal over a controversial documentary made there about the Irish language poet Cathal O Searcaigh and his sexual relationships with teenage males.”

Ahern slams Aer Lingus for dropping Irish announcements (Feb 5, 2008)
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/ireland/mheyqlgbauey/
“Taoiseach Bertie Ahern tonight criticised Aer Lingus for dropping Irish language messages on its new flights out of Belfast.”

Quality mark scheme for businesses using Irish (Feb 5, 2008)
http://www.galwaynews.ie/2702-quality-mark-scheme-businesses-using-irish
“The Irish language promotional organisation, Gaillimh le Gaeilge marked their 21 year association with the city with the launch of a new initiative.”

A shared future.? (Feb 6, 2008)
http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/news/A-shared-future.3744318.jp
“Two recently produced posters for two schools one in Ballycastle and the hebredian island of Islay provide a strong symbol for the role Gaelic is playing in exploring a shared future and are the latest examples of extraordinary links that are sprouting between north Antrim and Scotland.”

Gay poet denies sex with boys in Nepal (Feb 7, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gay-poet--denies-sex-with-boys-in-nepal-1283482.html
“Supporters of Irish language poet Cathal O Searchaigh closed ranks yesterday over controversial claims that he had sexual relationships with teenage males as young as 16.”

Much to look forward to in Lent; things to ponder (Feb 8, 2008)
http://www.irelandclick.com/ and then some
“...It’s hats off too to the organisers of the first-ever Ulster-Scots and Irish language celebration in the Cultúrlann tonight. ”

JANEY MAC! IRISH-ENGLISH IS BANJAXED, SO IT IS... (Feb 9, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/janey-mac-irishenglish-is-banjaxed-so-it-is-1285816.html
“Yer man, Professor Terry Dolan, the leading authority on Hiberno-English in Ireland, is after saying that our traditional Irish way of talking English is banjaxed.”