News marathon to an 19ú lá Mí Aibreáin

HSE apologises for English dental service in Gaeltacht school (April 10, 2008)
http://www.irishdentist.ie/news/news_detail.php?id=1164
“The Tuarascáil Bhliantúil Annual Report 2007, launched on 8 April, has revealed the Health Service Executive, as a result of an investigation, apologised for providing public health dental services in English only for a Gaeltacht school, in breach of an agreed statutory obligation.”

Total immersion is critical if Irish is to be rescued (April 12, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/total-immersion-is-critical-if-irish-is-to-be-rescued-1346149.html
“If you will it, it is no dream. Yes, an Irish- speaking Ireland -- not exclusively Irish speaking, but bilingual -- can re-emerge. It will require a unity of vision and willpower that has been lacking in Irish politics these past few decades.”

Arrival of Cowen means a change of tactics for FG (April 13, 2008)
http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=BACKROOM-qqqs=commentandanalysis-qqqid=32003-qqqx=1.asp
“In an unusual opening to the order of business, Kenny spoke entirely in Irish, at some length, and rolled together his congratulation to Cowen on his election, points about RTE, the Irish language and the tenth anniversary of the Good Friday agreement before concluding with a limp question about the Health Service Executive (HSE).”

1916 vision cannot protect Cowen from reality (April 13, 2008)
http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=VINCENT+BROWNE-qqqs=commentandanalysis-qqqid=31980-qqqx=1.asp
“In his speech to the Fianna Fáil faithful - or at least to the media after he had addressed the Fianna Fáil faithful - he had a few other priorities: he promised strenuous efforts to promote the Irish language, ‘a revival of patriotism’ (quoting Sean Lemass) and that ‘working together, we will continue to build the republic and to realise the ambition, the hope and promise of the Easter Proclamation.’”

Our Bonnie Prince Brian is all prayer and no porter (April 13, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/our-bonnie-prince-brian-is-all-prayer-and-no-porter-1346257.html
“By the close of the week there was even some hope for Enda. Kenny's decision to conduct the entire Order of Business ‘as Gaeilge’ may not have taken a feather out of Mr Cowen but as the Sancerre-sipping West Brits of the press gallery banged their laptops in frustration he terrified 80 per cent of the media.”

TG4 Scoop Gold Marketing Awards (April 16, 2008)
http://www.iftn.ie/commercials/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4281114&tpl=archnews&force=1
“TG4 has scooped two Gold Awards at the Promax/BDA Europe 2008 Branding and Marketing Awards which took place in Barcelona on April 9th 2008.”

TG4 Seeks Singing Sensation for ‘Nollaig No.1’ (April 16, 2008)
http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4281117&tpl=archnews
“TG4 is on the search for undiscovered Irish singing talent for its upcoming show ‘Nollaig No.1’, which will see one lucky winner record a single, a music video and aim for the Christmas No. 1. slot in the Irish charts this December.”

Parents to bring Gaelscoil plight to Cowen (April 16, 2008)
http://www.laoistoday.ie/news/Parents-to-bring-Gaelscoil-plight.3986499.jp
“Hot on the heels of Brian Cowen's landmark commitment to the Irish language and patriotism, the headmaster of the Gaelscoil Phortlaoise has called on parents to highlight the plight of their school children to the incoming Taoiseach and other local TDs and Councillors.”

I feel native tongue tied (April 17, 2008)
http://www.limerickleader.ie/farmleader/Dont-Mind-Mewith-Patricia-Feehily.3993105.jp
“What’s this? Just when I think I might try and copy Des Bishop and conquer my aversion to the Gaeilge, on comes a Taoiseach designate who insists on breaking into Irish every time he opens his mouth, while the opposition leader, Enda Kenny, ups the ante and tries to outdo him with the blas. What's the Irish for bankrupt anyway?”

Ródseó na Gaeilge at Dún Uladh (April 17, 2007)
http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/SC/free/321606394773037.php
“Ródseó na Gaeilge is out on the road again during April 2008. An initiative developed and implemented by the Irish language umbrella group, Pobal, the Ródseó uses the Arts, especially music, to help promote the spoken Irish language.”

Cúirt to host premiere screening of Nead an Dreoilín (April 17, 2008)
http://www.galwayadvertiser.ie/content/index.php?aid=11625
“The Cúirt festival will host the premiere screening of Nead an Dreoilín (The Wren’s Nest) in the Town Hall Theatre on Thursday April 24 at 2pm. Nead an Dreoilín is a collection of short films exploring the poetry of six living Irish language poets.”

Gnó Mhaigh Eo to support businesses that promote Irish (April 18, 2008)
http://www.mayoadvertiser.com/index.php?aid=5715
“Individuals and companies in Mayo that are eager to incorporate the Irish language in their work ethos can now avail of a new support network, advice and consultancy from Gnó Mhaigh Eo.”

Keeping the Lingua Franca! (April 18, 2008)
http://www.vefuk.com/sections_fs.aspx?currentsection=7&subsection=newsarticle&intNewsArticleID=5352
“A rare half an hour in control of the remote led to me to watch an innovative programme by comedian Des Bishop entitled ‘In the Name of the Fada’.”

Prestigious award for Achill Tourism (April 18, 2008)
http://www.mayoadvertiser.com/index.php?aid=5737
“Achill Tourism was the overall winner in Gradam Gnó le Gaeilge 2008 in conjunction with Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla and Údaras na Gaeltachta.”

Ballina business launches bilingual greeting cards (April 18, 2008)
http://www.mayoadvertiser.com/index.php?aid=5713
“Ballina business Wild Ideas, producers of wholesale high-quality handmade greeting cards, are delighted to announce the launch of their new range of bilingual Irish/English greeting cards.”

Guth Gafa Launches Package for Industry Professionals (April 18, 2008)
http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4281126&tpl=archnews
“The festival will also hold a Screen Training Ireland Masterclass with a top international film-maker (film-maker TBC) and a series of side-bar events including a panel discussion on the future of Irish language broadcasting, a presentation on RTÉ’s regional policy, a panel on activist/grassroots films and a special ‘Radharc’ screening.”

‘Aifric’ Wins at Celtic Media Fest (April 18, 2008)
http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4281125&tpl=archnews
“IFTA-winning Irish language series ‘Aifric’, produced by Telegael / TG4, scooped the Bronze Torc in the Children’s category on the third day of the Celtic Media Festival, which takes place in Galway from the 16th-18th April, 2008.”