News through an 4ú lá Mí na Nollag

More of us are describing ourselves as Northern Irish (Dec 2, 2008)
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/more-of-us-are-describing-ourselves-as-northern-irish-14088806.html
“Growing numbers of people in Northern Ireland are electing to describe themselves as ‘equally Irish and British’, according to a survey published today.”
...“‘Emotional responses to iconic images, such as flags and emblems, were stronger among respondents with traditional identities. Those who described themselves as Irish Catholic said they were more likely to feel uneasy or annoyed when presented with an image of a Union Jack or a photo of a news presenter wearing a poppy. British Protestants, however, were more uneasy or annoyed when presented with an Irish Tricolour or an Irish language letterhead,’ Prof Muldoon added.”
See also:
Study shows rise in 'Northern Irish'
More using term 'Northern Irish'

Newstalk cuts two late-evening programmes (Dec 2, 2008)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1202/1228169324851.html
“Two evening programmes have been cut at national radio station Newstalk which yesterday confirmed that job losses have taken place at the station.
“Late Night Live, a talk show presented by Declan Carty, and Splanc, an Irish language programme, have both been ended.”

Trainee teachers face unsure future (Dec 2, 2008)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/education/2008/1202/1227910460790.html
“There was no talk of recession or education cuts when the current cohort of trainees signed up to become secondary school teachers. But things have changed and, uncertain of getting a job, some are even thinking of emigrating.”
...“Irish language teachers, on the other hand, are in short supply, and NUI Galway offers places to gaelgoirs at a slightly lower PAC score.”

City's new Irish centre named (Dec 2, 2008)
http://www.derryjournal.com/journal/City39s-new-Irish-centre-named.4749903.jp
“Derry's new Irish language centre is to be named after long-standing Irish language activist Seán Ó'Canáin, who died in 2002.”

Community Bulletin Board (Dec 3, 2008)
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/1035/42/372859.htm
“‘The History of the Irish Language’ is the title of a lecture by Irish Consul Peter O'Conner on Tuesday Dec. 9, at 19:00 at the Chekhov Cultural Center, Strastnoi Bulvar 6. (Thru tunnel, first door on left). M. Chekhovskaya. 50 rubles.”

Naas council gets bilingual honour despite misspelled signs (Dec 3, 2008)
http://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/Naas-council-gets-bilingual-honour.4755830.jp
“Naas Town Council will be honored this weekend for its bilingual signage as part of the town's Irish language festival...despite spelling six of the signs wrong.”

Galway poets to celebrate the city in verse (Dec 4, 2008)
http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/5615
...“The project was a major winner in the recent Bus Éireann and Foras na Gaeilge-sponsored Irish language project awards.”

News through an 30ú lá Mí na Samhna

Comedian and boxing club among recipients of multicultural awards (Nov 28, 2008)
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/1128/1227825379422.html
“Comedian Des Bishop and an Irish Olympian's boxing club were among those presented with a Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Award (Mama) at the Abbey Theatre yesterday.
“The awards, in their seventh year, recognise people, groups and companies that promote integration in Ireland.
“The Foras na Gaeilge award was given to Des Bishop for his programme In the Name of the Fada , documenting his year learning Irish in the Gaeltacht.
"Multicultural Ireland is one of the reasons the Irish language has grown in strength . . . people realise the importance of cultural identity," Bishop said.”

Belfast regeneration plans announced (Nov 28, 2008)
http://www.newrossstandard.ie/breaking-news/national-news/belfast-regeneration-plans-announced-1557180.html
“Two separate plans for the regeneration of different parts of Belfast have been announced within the past 24 hours.”
...“Meanwhile, the West Belfast and Shankill Enterprise Council, a think-tank of small and medium sized businesses, is proposing a major upgrade including a new urban village in Andersonstown, a Gaeltacht Quarter, and a project on the Black Mountain above the city.”

Plans will transform west of city (Nov 28, 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7753881.stm
“West Belfast needs ‘big projects which investors can back’ to transform the area, a cross-community group has said.”
...“The council also has plans to turn the Falls Road into an Irish-speaking Gaeltacht quarter.”

Irish radio competition with great prizes (Nov 28, 2008)
http://www.advertiser.ie/mayo/article/5473
“Mayo Education Centre have announced an exciting new project for post-primary school students.
“In association with Gentique Jewellers, Castlebar and Togra Mhaigh Eo they are inviting post-primary students to record a short radio programme as Gaeilge (seven to ten minutes) for teams of between two and five students.”

Masterplan set to revive the greater Shankill (Nov 29, 2008)
http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/Masterplan-set-to-revive-the.4744534.jp
“A wide-reaching masterplan, described as "ambitious and imaginative", for the regeneration of one of Northern Ireland's most deprived areas was unveiled yesterday.”
...“These include a Destination Centre on the Black Mountain, turning Andersonstown into an urban village, creating a Gaeltacht Quarter hub on the Falls Road, and undertaking a feasibility study exploring how best to attract investment into the Andersonstown Gateway area.”

ASimil8 to cash in on lucrative Chinese market (Nov 30, 2008)
http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=IRELAND-qqqm=news-qqqid=37871-qqqx=1.asp
“The co-founder of an innovative new e-learning company has his sights set on far-flung markets, following his success as winner of this year’s Nova UCD Campus Company Development Programme.”
...“Groarke, ex-vice president of engineering with Baltimore Technologies, hit upon the idea for ASimil8 while brushing up on his own Irish language skills to help with his daughter’s schoolwork.
“‘If you can immerse yourself completely in an environment where all business around you is conducted through Irish, you will pick up the language much quicker. It is nothing new.
“‘Educators have known for many years that ‘immersion’ is a very effective way to learn languages. Irish speakers call it ‘tum-oideachas’ or immersion education.’”

Maintaining pride in our native tongue (Nov 30, 2008)
http://www.sbpost.ie/post/pages/p/story.aspx-qqqt=People+In+Business-qqqm=nav-qqqid=37877-qqqx=1.asp
“Caitriona Ni Cheallaigh’s family tree has a strong historical link to the Irish language - her grandfather, JJ O’Kelly, was minister for Irish in the first Dail. The chief executive of Colaiste na bhFiann has continued the tradition, spending most of her adult life helping to keep the Irish language alive.”

Tourism experts use Welsh language to promote principality

(Nov 28, 2008)
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/11/28/tourism-experts-use-welsh-language-to-promote-principality-91466-22358659/
“Welsh words and phrases will be strategically located at tourist attractions across the country to remind visitors they are in Wales, under a new scheme unveiled yesterday.”