News chunk through an 6ú lá déag Mí na Márta

The Great Comedy Adventure - AS GAEILGE! (March 10, 2008)
http://www.dublinks.com/index.cfm/loc/1/pt/0/spid/D4D29605-CC23-FD4E-7D626F10E51F4222.htm
“The Great Comedy Adventure comes over all patriotic this Paddy's weekend, with a very special Irish Language show on 16th March.”

Gay poet's PR man launches attack on TV film (March 11, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/gay-poets-pr-man-launches-attack-on-tv-film-1313206.html
“The Annesley suite in Dublin's Alexander Hotel was full yesterday afternoon but the man everyone was talking about was nowhere to be seen. Poet Cathal O Searcaigh was launching a fightback of sorts but he stayed away, choosing to leave it to his PR consultant.”

Minding our language (March 11, 2008)
http://www.irelandclick.com/ plus a kazillion characters
“Culture Minister Edwin Poots has a funny way ofpromoting culture. At his first Irish language event he lambasted Sinn Féin for naming a new cumann after an IRA volunteer, claiming it would alienate the Protestant community. Recently he mocked Sinn Féin MLAs for speaking imperfect Irish.”

Irish school gets new home in Knocknacarra (March 11, 2008)
http://www.galwaynews.ie/3091-irish-school-gets-new-home-knocknacarra
“A new ‘home’ for Irish language school Coláiste na Coiribe has taken a step forward, as outline planning permission has been granted for a new premises for the secondary school on a site in Knocknacarra.”

Norris in plea for O Searcaigh probe (March 12, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/norris-in-plea-for--o-searcaigh-probe-1314125.html
“Outspoken Senator David Norris yesterday called for the broadcasting of a controversial documentary on the poet Cathal O Searcaigh to be postponed and brought before a Dail committee.”

Visiting professor from Ireland to read, discuss epic love poem (March 12, 2008)
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/03/12/news/mtregional/news06.txt
“Sean O Coileain, an expert on Irish language poetry from Ireland's University College Cork, will give a public reading of ‘The Lament for Art O'Leary’ on Friday.”

DCU’s Dr Peadar Ó Flatharta and Fiontar appointed Government advisors on 20 year strategic plan for the Irish language (March 12, 2008)
http://www.dcu.ie/news/2008/mar/s0308b.shtml
“Fiontar, Dublin City University’s school where teaching and research are conducted through Irish in a range of disciplines including business, communications and information technology, has been appointed to advise the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs as they prepare a 20 year strategic plan for the Irish language.”

'Disgraceful' vandals destroy children's facility (March 12, 2008)
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/39Disgraceful39-vandals-destroy-children39s-facility.3865485.jp
“Pointing out that the centre was the only Irish language facility in the area, Councillor Kevin Campbell added: ‘We have Club na-Og an after schools club where children from the area are encouraged to do their homework in a friendly and positive atmosphere while interacting through the medium of Irish. I would appeal to the youth of the area to desist from this type of activity as it damages the image of the only Irish language facility we have on the estate.’”

Letters: Language rights are not obligations for us (March 12, 2008)
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/letters/article3509436.ece
“In her letter (Write Back, March 5) Janet Muller talks about language rights and, in particular, Irish language rights, seemingly oblivious to the fact that she already has the right to speak and write in Irish if she wishes.”

BC Center for Irish Programs presents films (March 12, 2008)
http://www.wickedlocal.com/allston/homepage/x1993298117
“Boston College’s Irish Film Series marks its seventh year showcasing feature and documentary films.”

Artists' body won't cut off poet's funding (March 13, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/arts/artists-body-wont-cut-off-poets-funding-1315090.html
“The most prestigious artists' group in the State said last night it would continue to fund Cathal O Searcaigh's artistic pursuits despite a damning documentary.”

Nepalese gay sex scandal may push poet off Irish syllabus (March 13, 2008)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/europe/nepalese-gay-sex-scandal-may-push-poet-off-irish-syllabus-795017.html
“One of the foremost Irish-language poets is expected to have his work removed from the school curriculum in the wake of a tangled sexual controversy.”

Letters: It's Irish for themselves alone (March 13, 2008)
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/letters/article3511703.ece
“As a Protestant who understands, speaks and enjoys the Irish language, I find that the present arrangements of Sinn Fein to promote the language are clearly designed to exclude people of my religion.”

Come Celebrate the Feast of St.Patrick, With an Irish-Language Mass at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral!
(March 13, 2008) (whoops)
http://cityguideny.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=9656
"In honor of St. Patrick, an Irish- and English-language Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral on Mott Street in Manhattan, between Prince and Houston streets, on Friday, March 14th, at 1:00 p.m."

Top ‘trad’ for Seachtain na Gaeilge (March 14, 2008)
http://www.mayoadvertiser.com/index.php?aid=5312
“One of Connemara’s best loved musicians, sean nós dancers and singers will be in Westport this weekend as part of the Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations in the town. Sonaí Cholm Learaí Ó Conghaile from Lettermullen, Connemara is a master accordion player, dancer and sean nós singer who has performed all over Ireland.”

Language of laughter (March 15, 2008)
http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/language-of-laughter/2008/03/14/1205472074136.html
“Des Bishop, who will be appearing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, found fame after leaving his delinquent ways behind in the US at 14 for a fresh start in Ireland.”

Poet said no to Late Late debate (March 16, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/poet-said-no-to-late-late-debate-1318898.html
“Poet Cathal O Searcaigh turned down an opportunity to explain his relationship with Nepalese youths in a one-to-one interview on the Late Late Show.”

Irish Film Series returns to BC (March 16, 2008)
http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2008/03/15/irish_film_series_returns_to_bc/
“The series started last week and runs through April 16. ‘The Front Line’ plays at 6 p.m. at the West Newton Cinema and will be followed by the movie that Ireland submitted for consideration for this year's foreign-language Academy Award: ‘Kings,’ adapted from the Jimmy Murphy play ‘The Kings of the Kilburn High Road.’”