Emmett McIntyre's blog

In December of last year Transceltic’s Douglas MacQueen reported that the  Scottish government's support for the Gaelic language has seen a big rise in speakers in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. This reflects a growing trend in other parts of Scotland. Glasgow Gaelic School currently has 505 primary pupils, 237 secondary pupils and almost 60 nursery children – and the numbers are increasing every year. Plans for a second Gaelic school in the South Side to cater for 200 children have been announced with work due to start in 2015.

In a significant advance for the Welsh language the government has signaled a change in the direction of Welsh Medium education.  Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones along with Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills, declared that a change is needed in the use of the Welsh tongue in the nations’ educational system.  Jones stated that the Celtic tongue needs to be made “…a part of pupil’s everyday lives rather than confined to specific lessons.”

 The Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaelige) is the main voluntary community organisation that promotes the Irish language in Ireland and abroad. The League’s primary objective is the reinstatement of the Irish language as the common tongue of Ireland.  Since its founding in 1893, members have been actively promoting Irish in every aspect of life in Ireland, from legal and educational affairs to the development of media and services through Irish.  Members of the Gaelic League are in the forefront of campaigns to strengthen the rights of the Irish speaking community.

News From the The Australian Celtic Festival of Glen Inness.  See link below for additional information.

The Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innes, Northern NSW is unique for its colour, spectacle and range of entertainment and history. An opportunity to meet with friends and experience our country hospitality.

The 2016 Australian Celtic Festival will honour the Isle of Man.

‘The Welsh Government is committed to delivering high-quality health, social services and social care services that are centred on peoples’ needs. Our vision is to provide a service that will satisfy the needs of Welsh speakers and their families or carers, by ensuring that they are able to receive services in their own language through the care process. “– Welsh Government

Multiple media outlets are reporting on the jaw dropping pettiness of London’s cut in funding for Scots Gaelic broadcasting. The British Government’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Right Honourable George Osborne, will eliminate 100% of the current funding for Gaelic language television.  In the scheme of things the elimination of the £1 million in funding is not catastrophic. The monies previously allocated by the UK Department of Culture, Media and Sport represents only about 5% of the budget for BBC Alba, the BBC Scots Gaelic channel.

In July of last year Transceltic reported that the Bòrd na Gàidhlig, an organisation formed under Scotland’s the 2005 Language Act, had issued its Annual Report for 2013/2014.  The report showed dramatic growth in Gaelic medium education showing a 6% increase in primary school and a 7% increase in secondary school enrollment.  The Bord’s report attributed the reversal in the decline of Gaelic speakers, as reported in the 2011 census, to the increases in Gaelic medium education. 

News from the Gaelic League - Dual Language Road Signs

RTÉ (Raidió Teilifís Éireann), Ireland’s national public service broadcaster has announced it will make major programming changes to boost the profile of the Irish Language. RTÉ formally launched “Meáin Ghaeilge RTÉ, Action Plan 2015-2019”, the broadcaster’s new strategic action plan for the Irish language.  Rónán Mac Con Iomaire, Group Head Irish Language at RTÉ is quoted on the broadcaster’s web site: “This plan seeks to integrate the Irish language into everything we do in RTÉ.