News to an 20ú lá Mí na Samhna

Irish language a hit on the Costa del Sol (Nov 12, 2008)
http://www.theirishworld.com/article.asp?SubSection_Id=2&Article_Id=7495
“Spain’s Costa Del Sol gave a very warm Irish welcome when the International Festival of the Irish Language descended on the area last week.
“Irish residents and their Spanish friends enjoyed a week of Irish language classes, dances, exhibitions and concerts. More than 30 Spanish people attended the Irish classes.”

Intensive Irish course for prospective primary school teachers (Nov 13, 2008)
http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/4447
“Galwegians awaiting an interview for a graduation diploma in education (primary teaching), should take advantage of a Conradh Na Gaeilge course to prepare candidates for the interview’s Irish language element.”

An unseemly brawl over God and scripture (Nov 13, 2008)
http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/4528
“In a week when The Irish Times reports an unseemly brawl between Armenian and Greek Orthodox monks who physically battled over turf and influence in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, revered as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, I was reminded of the unfortunate battle for the souls of Catholics in the aftermath of the Great Famine.”
...“Another attraction to Protestantism was the translation by the Irish Church Missions of the scriptures into the language of the people, namely Gaeilge. Catholic bishops always discouraged its laity from personally reading the Bible.”

Minister backs 'total immersion' teaching (Nov 15, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/education/latest-news/minister-backs-total-immersion-teaching-1540836.html
“Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe yesterday moved to heal a rift between his department and Gaelscoileanna caused by a row over the teaching of Irish.”
But see also:
Letters: My position was misrepresented (Down a bit on the page)

Language needs to be spoken (Nov 15, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/language-needs-to-be-spoken-1541115.html
...“Language is about behaviour and networking through a particular language behaviour. Our Gaeltachtai have survived through 2,000 years of cultural upheaval and are still with us but as with many other of the world's languages, the Gaeltachtai are under the constant threat of linguistic erosion.
“There are five language skills. Reading, writing, comprehension and speech are the four language skills that are usually mentioned. The fifth skill is usage and this is where, I reckon, we fall down when it comes to using language, any language.”

Pieces of Pearse are translated into Polish (Nov 18, 2008)
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/pieces-of-pearse-are-translated-into-polish-1542981.html
“If you found Padraig Pearse's musings difficult to get through as Gaeilge, perhaps you should take a run at the Polish version.”

DUP, Sinn Féin reach deal on policing, justice (Nov 19, 2008)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1119/1227026416479.html
...“The consensus yesterday was that barring unexpected crises a Northern Ireland department of justice would be operating by around this time next year. There was no agreement on difficult matters such as the Irish language, the Maze prison site and education but progress was being made.”

Gaeláras AGM (Nov 19, 2008)
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/Gaelras-AGM.4704628.jp
“Details about the new multi-million Irish language building on Great James's Street will be revealed at the Gaeláras annual general meeting tomorrow night.”

An t-ádh na nÉireannach: The Luck of the Irish (Nov 19, 2008)
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/11/19/042757.php
...“My mind constantly drifts off and ignores the world I am living in by creating a new one. Every day I stayed in Ireland — taking tours and looking out the charter bus's window — I wonder about the history behind every spot of land. I should also mention I love history, yet I knew little of Ireland's. The unfamiliar language I saw painted on shop windows, etched on traffic signs, and written in menus at restaurants intrigued me the most.”

Chairman presents Irish language bursary awards (Nov 19, 2008)
http://www.nwipp-newspapers.com/FH/free/322002390590804.php
“Last week, the chairman of Fermanagh District Council, Thomas O'Reilly hosted a reception in the Townhall where he presented bursary awards to those who had attended the Gaeltacht during the summer.
“He told the recipients that, since the publication of an Irish –Ulster Scots audit commissioned by the Council in 2005, the Council has spent over £70,000 promoting and developing the Irish language, and, also in implementing the findings of the Report.”

Student asks minister to choose Bertie or Brian (Nov 19, 2008)
http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/news/student-asks-minister-to-choose-bertie-or-brian-1544413.html
“So who is the best Taoiseach, Bertie or Brian Cowen?
“That was the question Latvian student Katrina Zacepina put - in Irish - to Education Minister, Batt O'Keeffe, when he visited her secondary school in Bettystown on Friday.”

Postcodes anger language group (Nov 19, 2008)
http://www.irishpost.com/news/story/?trs=ideysney&cat=news
“And now Irish language groups are challenging an Irish Government proposal to introduce an anglicised postcode system — one which they say will not recognise the Irish language.”