Funding for Irish Language Broadcasting in Northern Ireland Strengthens the Tongue

The Northern Ireland Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure has announced that the government will continue to fund the Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF).  The announcement comes in the context of the growing strength of the Irish language in Northern Ireland evidenced by the recent increase in the number of students enrolled in Irish medium education.

The Derry Journal reports, under the headline “...Campbell Welcomes Support for Irish Language Board Fund…Councillor has Welcomed a Commitment from Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin on Irish Language Fund..”, that funding for the ILBF will be continued.

The Irish Language Board was set up with the dual aim of funding Irish language content of high quality and of fostering the Irish speaking independent production sector in Northern Ireland.  The ILBF is one of a number of initiatives that enjoy the sponsorship of the Government of Northern Ireland and the European Sustainable Competitions Programme for Northern Ireland.

An example of ILBF sponsored programming is the series “Anbealach na Gaeltachta”, which is the name for the historic circular trails that pass through the Irish speaking areas of Donegal (Gaeltacht):  “Bealtcha na Gaeltacha is the general name for the four circular long-distance trails in the Gaeltacht areas of Donegal: Sli an Eargail, Sli na Rosann, Sli na Finne and Sli Cholmcille."  In this four-part series, young Gaeilgeoir Franc Mac Cionnaith walks each of the trails and on his journey he captures the scale, atmosphere and beauty of this ruggedly beautiful country”. 

http://northernirelandscreen.co.uk/news/3624/ar-bhealach-na-gaeltachta-o...

http://www.transceltic.com/blog/demand-irish-medium-education-ulster-suc...

http://www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/sections/76/about-us.aspx

http://www.derryjournal.com/news/local-news/campbell-welcomes-support-fo...