Irish Language Officer to be hired
This month’s meeting of Cavan County Council members heard that a new Irish Language Officer will be appointed to a full-time position.
The news emerged on foot of a question put forward by Sinn Féin’s Stiofán Conaty who asked for an update on the recruitment process and the budget available.
Lynda McGavigan, Acting Director of Services for Housing, Libraries and Cultural Services, Human Resources, and Corporate Services told those gathered that the local authority was in the process of recruiting a candidate.
Cllr Conaty said there was “enough work there” for an Irish Language officer as well as huge potential for the creation of an Irish Language unit to work on its own merit. He works for the Monaghan branch of Irish language advocacy organisation, Conradh na Gaeilge, and while he welcomed the announcement, he also highligted the need “to improve the status and use of Irish in the county”.
“It is important that Comhairle Contae an Chabháin takes on a leadership role in promoting the Irish language locally,” Cllr Conaty continued.
“I believe the situation requires at the very least a full-time Oifigeach Gaeilge, solely devoted to encouraging the development of the language within the council and the county as a whole.”
Meanwhile, he pointed to “other responsibilities” within the role, besides the Irish language.
“The main duties of the post include developing and promoting Irish throughout the workings of the council, providing media and translation services, and assisting staff and elected members in developing competency,” Cllr Conaty added.
“The new Irish language officer would be tasked with maintaining and cooperating with voluntary organisations, which are doing the work on the ground to provide people with opportunities to use Irish.
“These community groups are promoting the language from the bottom-up, which is where it needs to start. If we are to revive Irish, it is the likes of Gaeil Mhuinchille in Cootehill, for example, who will make it happen. What they require now is support, recognition and leadership from the top-down, from local authorities and government.”
During proceedings, Cllr Conaty thanked the council’s former Oifigeach Gaeilge, Carmel Cusack Smith, for her work over previous years and commended Cavan Library Service for its many initiatives, including during Seachtain na Gaeilge.
“There are loads of people out there who would love to learn Irish or be given an opportunity to use what Irish they have”, he said.
“We have a great opportunity now to roll up our sleeves and promote the language locally.
I look forward to working with the new Oifigeach Gaeilge in helping to improve the status of Irish in Cavan and to drive forward the revival of our national language.”