PRESIDENTIAL candidate Heather Humphreys has recommitted to learning Irish, more than a decade after first making the same pledge as Minister for the Gaeltacht. The Fine Gael candidate said that if elected to the Áras, she would return to the Donegal Gaeltacht. She made the commitment during a debate with independent candidate Catherine Connolly on […]
‘Housing crisis and funding cuts threaten Gaeltacht’s future’
By Róise Collins TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND people gathered in Dublin at the weekend to take part in a national protest demanding urgent political intervention for the Irish language and the Gaeltacht. On Saturday morning busloads travelled from Donegal’s Gaeltacht to the capital, with local community groups, teachers, students, musicians, Donegal County Councillors and TDs among them. […]
Gaeltacht community fighting back against addiction and neglect
THE community of Cloich Cheann Fhaola are actively reclaiming agency over their future, by starting a community-driven initiative called Dúchas na nDaoine. The initiative centred on addressing addiction from the ground up is led by Seán Fitzgerald, a gardener with a background addiction recovery. He is working alongside Paul Holdaway, a drug counsellor who brings […]
Keadue school’s mission to revive the Irish language
An exciting project is making its mark in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht
Croithlí Distillery celebrating two years in business
CROITHLÍ Distillery is enjoying two prominent accolades amid its second birthday celebrations. It has had one of its whiskeys ranked as a top Irish single malt. The New York International Spirits Competition has announced the top-ranked Irish whiskeys from its 2024 judging. Advertisement Four whiskeys won Double Gold medals, with Irish single malt expressions dominating […]
Donegal school goes from Irish to English – and back to Irish again
BY JEROME HUGHES A SCHOOL in Donegal that made the switch from teaching in Irish to English in the 1970s has now returned to its original roots, offering a full curriculum in the country’s native tongue. Keadue National School, situated between the fishing villages of Burtonport and Kincasslagh, was initially established as an Irish language […]
‘Gaeltacht families being pushed out because they have nowhere to live’ – TD
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Gaeilge, Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture, Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD has today submitted over 200 amendments specifically to protect Gaeltacht communities, the Irish language and cultural spaces in planning legislation, as part of a wider package of amendments to radically improve the Government’s Planning and Development Bill 2023. The Bill is due […]
Pilot scheme announced for Gaeltacht tradespeople
Údarás na Gaeltachta has announced a new pilot scheme Glasoiliúint, to assist Gaeltacht tradespeople and professionals seeking to update or learn new skills. Up to €2,000 will be available towards tuition fees for recognised courses related to energy conservation, or in renewable energy technologies. There is high demand for electrical, plumbing, engineering, architectural, installation, construction and […]
Call is made for more jobs for Gaeltacht areas
CONRADH naGaeilge this week called for increased investment in Gaeltacht areas including those in Donegal, to revitalise the Irish language. The advocacy group have said that the creation of 9,000 jobs in Gaeltacht areas by 2029 would require the doubling of government funding for the sector over the next five years. An Plan Fáis 2024 […]
Be Positive/Bí Dearfach to open Irish base in gteic Gaoth Dobhair
The company Be Positive/Bí Dearfach are to establish their new base in gteic Gaoth Dobhair in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Based in Scotland, Be Positive is an IT Services Company offering flexible, scalable and cost-effective Business Analysis solutions to its customers and focusing on enabling companies to enhance their digital capabilities. The company will officially open […]