News through an 11ú lá Mí Iúil

Udaras na Gaeltachta proposes tax haven status for Irish islands (July 6, 2008)
http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=34277-qqqx=1.asp
“Ireland’s islands could be transformed into tax havens for businesses and residents under proposals drawn up by Udaras na Gaeltachta.”
Also see:
Islands could become tax havens
Plan for Aran Islands to become tax free

The award-winning Féilte is back! (July 6, 2008)
http://www.galwayfirst.ie/content/view/3162/1011/
“This summer, the award-winning series Féilte is back with three new presenters. TG4 presenter Sinéad Ni Loideain from Carraroe heads to major music festivals around the country, giving us coverage of the various music acts.”

Letters: Our psyche (July 7, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/zimbabwe--our-psyche-giant-man-genial-george-1428770.html
...“That one cannot, in the first official language, get a plain 'Yes' or 'No' to a question, says something about the Irish psyche.”

Ace ratings for TG4 as it serves up tennis final (July 7, 2008)
http://www.herald.ie/national-news/ace-ratings-for--tg4-as-it-serves-up-tennis-final-1429009.html
“Irish language channel TG4 scored a winner with its coverage of last night's gripping Wimbledon men's final.”

Doubt over Ulster-Scots Academy (July 8, 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7496337.stm
“In 2003, the government pledged £15m for an Ulster-Scots Academy after the Weston Park negotiations.
“The cash was seen as reciprocal funding for Ulster-Scots after the same amount was pledged for a new Irish Language Broadcast Fund.”

Irish Fest Summer School Registration is Now! (July 8, 2008)
http://www.livinglakecountry.com/UserStory?id=244
“If you’re Irish—or if you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the Irish culture—an unforgettable experience awaits you at the Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School, August 11 – 15. Registration has already begun and adults and children alike are encouraged to enroll early to guarantee entry!”

Taoiseach launches Offaly Ordnance Survey Letters (July 9, 2008)
http://www.offalyexpress.ie/11807/Taoiseach-launches-Offaly-Ordnance-Survey.4269962.jp
...“This is part of a series of letters, written mainly by the renowned Celtic scholar, John O'Donovan, during the first Ordnance Survey of Ireland. The Survey was carried out to update land valuations for taxation purposes and was completed in 1842. The maps are regarded as among the finest ever produced.
“Mr O'Donovan was employed to sort out problems which had arisen during the mapping process due to difficulties in interpreting Irish placenames.”

Derry director's film features on stamp (July 9, 2008)
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Derry-director39s-film-features-on.4266694.jp
“'Kings', directed and written by Derry man Tom Collins, is one of four films featured on a set of postage stamps issued by An Post.”

Music Diploma 'as Gaeilge' at NUI Galway (July 10, 2008)
http://www.galwaynews.ie/4284-music-diploma-039as-gaeilge039-nui-galway
“A unique new Irish language diploma course in traditional music being offered by NUIG and Cuan Studios in Spiddal will give participants the skills and confidence to make a living in a fast changing world, according to the director of the renowned Willie Clancy Summer School Muiris Ó Rócháin.”

Marketing Initiative Launched for Connemara (July 10, 2008)
http://www.galwaynews.ie/4283-marketing-initiative-launched-connemara
“In a joint funding partnership between Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs and tourism interests in Connemara, the new campaign – lauched at the Station House Theatre in Clifden on Monday evening - includes a new brochure in English, French and as Gaeilge, a new web site...and a radio and press advertising campaign in the Irish market.”

Colm Mac Con Iomaire releases solo album (July 10, 2008)
http://www.hotpress.com/news/4664897.html
‘“The phrase ‘The Hare’s Corner’ comes from the ancient Irish custom of at harvest time leaving a corner of a field uncut for the hare to escape to,” he explains. “I first heard my father Liam, mention the phrase in a conversation we had about the famous writer and Irish language activist Máirtín Ó Cadhain. Ó Cadhain identified the Gaeltachtaí as being like the Hare's Corner of Ireland.”
‘“Thankfully the linguistic uniqueness of the Gaeltacht endures, but our language is still in jeopardy.”’

Director Paul Mercier on ‘Aifric’ (July 10, 2008)
http://www.iftn.ie/broadcast/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4281365&tpl=archnews&force=1
“The third and final series of IFTA winning Irish language teenage drama ‘Aifric’ goes into production on Monday 14th July. IFTN caught up with ‘Aifric’ director Paul Mercier to talk about what’s in store for Aifric this time around and he reveals plans for ‘Aifric: The Movie’.”

Gabriel Byrne, the next Hollywood star to call? (July 11, 2008)
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/article3883675.ece
“The ever-growing list of Hollywood stars making a beeline for Belfast is set to swell further this year when top Irish actor Gabriel Byrne pays a visit to the city.
“The star of hit films such as The Usual Suspects and Miller’s Crossing has been announced as the new patron of Aisling Ghear, an Irish language theatre company based in west Belfast.”

Landmark CD launch at Magee (July 11, 2008)
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Landmark-CD--launch-at.4278390.jp
“A CD featuring the original compositions of one of Derry's best-known traditional musicians has been launched at the Foyle Arts building on the Magee campus of the University of Ulster.”
...“Paddy O’Mianain is also well-known as a teacher and vice-principal at St Brecan’s secondary school for many years, and for his involvement with the Irish language.”