News through an 15ú lá Mí Lúnasa

Working With Animals and Children ... And Loving It (August 12, 2008)
http://www.redorbit.com/news/entertainment/1519586/working_with_animals_and_children__and_loving_it/
“In the zoo we offer self-guided trails in French and Irish. We started with French after discussion with a French teacher from Little Flowers Secondary School who thought this would help pupils. We were then approached by Gael Lynn, an organisation for the promotion and development of Irish language, who asked if we would offer a self-guided trail in Irish.”

Ó Cuív to attend Milwaukee Irish Fest (August 13, 2008)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0813/breaking139.htm
“Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Éamon Ó Cuív is visiting the US to attend the Milwaukee Irish Fest — the world’s largest Irish cultural festival today.
“The four-day event in Wisconsin state will feature its own Gaeltacht, currach races, an Irish dancing tent, hurling games and tug-of-war contests.”

Des does Vicar Street (again)! (August 13, 2008)
http://www.dublinks.com/index.cfm/loc/15/pt/0/spid/BAF95ADF-A45E-957E-F607D6C91D8BE997.htm
“Everyone's favourite gaelgoir will be speaking in Tongues at Vicar Street on 3rd September - with a very specialshow in aid of Barnardos!”

A guest of eternity: Mahmoud Darwish in memoriam (August 13, 2008)
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9761.shtml
“He asked me about the Irish language, and seemed genuinely shocked when I told him that only around one percent of Irish people spoke it as their first language.”

Irish Fest kicks off tonight (August 13, 2008)
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=783117
“If you can’t find yourself a good time at Irish Fest, then there’s nothing to be done for you.”

Irish comes to life for parading teenagers (August 14, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/irish-comes-to-life-for---parading-teenagers-1454346.html
“Colaiste na bhFiann, which holds courses in Longford, Galway, Sligo, Meath, Carlow and Kerry, is celebrating 40 years in existence.”

Why Irish exams drive you to distraction (August 14, 2008)
http://www.herald.ie/opinion/comment/why-irish-exams-drive-you-to-distraction-1454718.html
“Along with the Leaving Cert, learning our first language and the driving test are ordeals peculiar to us”

Bebo kills off racist Irish quiz (August 14, 2008)
http://www.herald.ie/national-news/bebo-kills-off-racist-irish-quiz-1454781.html
“While many questions were simple in their connotations asking, 'Who was Brian Boru?', 'How many counties are there in Ireland?' or 'What is the Irish language?' many more were deemed highly unsuitable.”

Fmr Conradh na Gaeilge president dies (August 14, 2008)
http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0814/ogadhran.html
“Founder member of Teilifís na Gaeilge and former President of Conradh na Gaeilge Nollaig Ó Gadhra has died at the age of 64.”
See also:
Taoiseach leads tributes to the late Nollaig O Gadhra
Taoiseach pays warm tribute to historian
Limerick born Irish language activist buried

An Taibhdhearc plans major revamp (August 14, 2008)
http://www.galwaynews.ie/4657-taibhdhearc-plans-major-revamp
“Well known Irish language theatre, An Taibhdhearc, in Galway city, is planning a major revamp of its Middle Street premises.”

Libyans beat Irish in Leaving Cert exams (August 15, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/world-news/libyans-beat-irish-in-leaving-cert-exams-1456355.html
“The only major differences in the curriculum are the substitution of Arabic for the Irish language and Libyan history for Irish history.”

Festival Tradition Runs Deep In Ireland (August 15, 2008)
http://www.wuwm.com/programs/news/view_news.php?articleid=3295
“But beautiful or not, beginning in the 1800s the use of the language declined drastically. For starters, when Great Britain embraced Ireland as part of the United Kingdom, the Irish were expected to speak English.”

Ó Cuív welcomes 'Éire' on new FAI jerseys (August 15, 2008)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0815/breaking319.htm
“Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Éamon Ó Cuív has welcomed a move by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to incorporate the word 'Éire' on their international match day jerseys.”
See also:
New Éire dawns for Irish jerseys