News to an 30ú lá Mí Iúil

EU promotes Irish language (July 26, 2008)
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/eu-promotes-irish-language-13921293.html
“The European Commission is actively and increasingly promoting Irish as a working EU language.”

Law shorts: End of Irish exam for law trainees (July 28, 2008)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0728/1217013340218.html
“Those seeking entry to the Law Society's law school and to the King's Inns will no longer have to pass a compulsory examination in Irish following the enactment, in the last moments of the latest Dáil session, of the Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Act.”

Search site aims to rival Google (July 28, 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7528503.stm
“Former workers at the web giant Google have launched a rival search engine.
“Called Cuil, from the Gaelic for knowledge and hazel, its founders claim it does a better and more comprehensive job of indexing information online.”
See also:
Irish myths behind engine name

Lúnasa Celtic Harvest Celebration in Brussels, Belgium (July 28, 2008)
http://www.europeanirish.com/news_details.php?news_id=569
“Lúnasa Celtic harvest celebration, organized by Pobal Gaeilge na Bruiseile, Anam Beo and Claddagh Toastmasters, has been organised for the holiday weekend of Friday 1st August.”

Achill’s ‘Plean Gaeilge’ aims for all-island Gaeltacht status (July 29, 2008)
http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4628&Itemid=38
“The need for the whole of the island of Achill to have Gaeltacht status is paramount to the future development of the island, according to the Cathaoirleach of Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla, Tomas Mac Sheáin.
“Last week, CFÁA launched ‘Plean Gaeilge’, in which they outlined their aims in increasing the use of the Irish language in everyday life in the community, and in looking to having the whole island categorised as a Gaeltacht area by 2011.”

Settings add a sense of history to Friel magic (July 29, 2008)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2008/0729/1217013427281.html
“'It is not the literal past, the 'facts' of history that shape us," says the school master Hugh in Brian Friel's 1980 play Translations. It is "images of the past embodied in language". For Ouroboros Theatre Company, however, the past is embodied in physical surroundings, our architecture, as much as in our language, and their ambitious new site-specific production of Translations seeks to bring Friel's play directly into conversation with the history of cultural decline that the play documents.”

Camp puts kids in touch with their Irish heritage (July 30, 2008)
http://www.buffalonews.com/entertainment/story/403040.html
“Along with the traditional music, dancing and food, this year’s Irish Festival will offer a taste of the Emerald Isle for the wee ones.
“The 27th annual Buffalo Irish Festival will provide a sampling of Irish culture geared toward youngsters ages 8 to 12. The festival’s first “Irish Kids’ Camp” will feature brief sessions on the Irish language, sports such as Gaelic football and hurling, Book-of-Kells-style artwork, storytelling, both step-and set-dancing, genealogy and playing the tin whistle and bodhran, or Irish drum.”

Celebration of Irish links to Liverpool (July 30, 2008)
http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-life-features/liverpool-arts/2008/07/30/celebration-of-irish-links-to-liverpool-64375-21434179/
“A new exhibition described as a celebration of Irish culture and an exploration of the links between Ireland and Liverpool is now on in the city.
...“There are two special events this weekend – on Saturday (August 2), Nead an Dreolín, a collection of short films exploring the poetry of six living Irish language poets, and 1920 Irish classic In the Days of Saint Patrick will be shown back to back – the latter accompanied by renowned Irish harpist Cormac de Barra who will play music specially composed for the silent film.”