News through an 25ú lá Mí Mheán Fómhair

Minister backs languages strategy (Sept 23, 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/7631373.stm
“The culture minister has urged people to accept that a ‘languages strategy’, and not an Irish language act, is the best way forward.”

Irish language doctors to host a conference on ageing (Sept 23, 2008)
http://www.imt.ie/news/2008/09/irish_language_doctors_to_host.html
“A group of doctors who hold frequent meetings through the medium of the Irish language are to stage their autumn gathering on Saturday, September 27 in St John of God’s Hospital in Stillorgan, Co Dublin.”

Review: Beal Tuinne (Sept 23, 2008)
http://www.theirishworld.com/article.asp?SubSection_Id=11&Article_Id=6968
“All the songs on the majestic, gentle and gorgeous Beal Tuinne (which translates as ‘mouth of the wave’ but refers to the bow wave of a boat) are based on poems in Irish by late west Kerry poet and teacher Kevin Kennedy, and the music which sympathetically brings them to life is by the great composer Shaun Davey (Brendan Voyage), performed by an inspired gathering of West Kerry traditional musicians and singers in one of Ireland’s true beauty spots.
“Everything is in Irish, so if you’re feeling lost you can check out English translations of these beautiful tales [on the web site].”

Brechiner in tune with new Gaelic TV service (Sept 24, 2008)
http://www.brechinadvertiser.co.uk/top/Brechiner-in-tune-with-new.4523794.jp
“A former Brechin High School pupil is the driving force behind BBC Alba, the corporation's £14 million pound Gaelic television service, which hopes to attract mainstream viewers from across the nation, and which was launched on Friday.
...“‘I met a woman from County Mayo who later became my wife and we now have five children. We speak Irish at home and occasionally Gaelic.’”

Ruane Refuses Irish Language School Plan (Sept 24, 2008)
http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/1566289/ruane_refuses_irish_language_school_plan/
“Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has turned down a development proposal to allow for the establishment of an Irish-medium post- primary college, Colaiste Speirin, in Cookstown.”
...“Colaiste Speirin had six pupils enrolled during 2007-08. The 2008- 09 intake was three new pupils. To qualify for funding the school would have needed an intake of 50 new pupils.”

President thanked for helping Irish studies course in Romania (Sept 25, 2008)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0925/1222207743948.html
“President Mary McAleese was awarded an honorary professorship yesterday by a Transylvanian university which offers a masters degree in Irish studies.”
...“The programme ranges from works of 20th century Irish writers such as Joyce and Yeats to Irish history, Irish language, theatre and film.”

Letters (Sept 25, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/gun-control----pain----unfair-benefits----fada-use-1481716.html
One short item:
“It is becoming increasingly annoying to see the lack of respect being paid to the Irish language in many aspects of society. The Irish Independent could at least begin using the 'fada' when grammatically required. Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Éire, and Irish names such as Micheál are simply incorrect without the fada.”

ETA mass killer may have fled to Ulster (Sept 25, 2008)
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/eta-mass-killer-may-have-fled-to-ulster-13982276.html
...“Embassy sources confirmed he applied for the passport in person at the diplomatic offices in Ballsbridge, south Dublin, on September 3, and claimed he was in the city to learn the Irish language.”

Irish NGO: two years later and still no Irish language act (Sept 25, 2008)
http://www.eurolang.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3098&Itemid=33&lang=en
“Two years to the day after the UK and Irish governments published the St Andrews’ Agreement, POBAL, the umbrella organisation for the Irish-speaking community in northern Ireland, is calling on the entire community to participate on marches in support of the Irish Language Act being organised by POBAL on Saturday 11th October in the centre of Belfast.”