‘Catherine Connolly’s election is a victory for the Irish language’

THE election of Catherine Connolly as the 10th President of Ireland is being hailed as a significant victory for Irish language advocates, with local campaigners celebrating her commitment to the language and the Gaeltacht.

Dónall Ó Cnáimhsí, Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga an Iarthuaiscirt, spoke to Donegal News about the widespread enthusiasm among those who have long campaigned for Irish language rights and vital funding for the Gaeltacht.

He said they are “delighted” to have Catherine Connolly in the Áras.

Dónall’s work with the Irish Language Office spans much of west Donegal, from Gaoth Dobhair to Loch an Iúir. As an advocate for the language, he also recently helped organise a major protest in Dublin, where 25,000 people gathered to demand urgent political action for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.

Welcoming the result of the weekend’s election, Dónall highlighted the president-elect’s long-standing support for the Irish language.

Throughout her campaign, Catherine Connolly made multiple visits to the Donegal Gaeltacht and committed to making the Irish language a central focus of her presidency.

Dónall believes her platform will offer significant opportunities for the growth and preservation of the language.

“The platform that she is going to give the Irish language is more than just the cúpla focal.

“She will be a strong advocate too.”

In her time as a TD Catherine Connolly chaired the Irish language committee in the Dáil and visited Gaeltachts across the country.

“She has been engaged and knows the difficulty on the ground,” Dónall added.

“She was our candidate from the start.”

Dónall made his comments en route to Oireachtas na Samhna, an annual celebration of Irish language, arts, and traditions, which this year is being held in Belfast. Thousands of Gaeilgeoirí are expected to attend the event over the weekend.

Last year, the Oireachtas took place in Killarney and Catherine Connolly was present.

“This time last year, way before she ever came forward herself, we were discussing that she would be a great candidate for the presidency,” he said.

Reflecting on outgoing President Michael D. Higgins, Dónall described him as an “activist in the Áras” and expressed confidence that Connolly would continue in a similar vein.

“We have another activist now, not only on social issues but on the Irish language as well,” he said.

The president-elect delivered the majority of her victory speech in Irish at Dublin Castle on Saturday evening and has confirmed that Irish will be the working language of the Áras.

During her presidential campaign she also promised to launch a major year-long Presidential Initiative on the Irish Language from June 2026 to June 2027 to mark the centenary of the first Gaeltacht Commission.

Dónall also spoke of how Catherine Connolly gained fluency in Irish in her later years and said this will serve as motivation for many.