An official start was made with the Ennis project, Baile Líonra Gaeilge, in which Baile na hInse will be part of the national Gaelphobal campaign. This is the result of continuous work over the past years, and it marks the beginning of a new era of the development program that is being carried out by the Clár as Gaeilge.
In 2016, An Clár as Gaeilge, the main organization responsible for the promotion of the Irish language at community level in the county, put together a plan for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media, to recognize Ennis as a Irish language network. The department accepted this request and on 24 September 2021, Minister of State Jack Chambers launched the plan.
Since then, Leah Ní Thailtigh has been appointed as language planning officer for the Ennis network. Leah is based in the offices of An Clár as Gaeilge in Barrack Street in Ennis and is responsible for interacting with state institutions, public and private bodies, commercial associations and community groups, in order to promote the Irish language in everyday work.
Megan Ní Aoláin has been appointed as the Irish Language Development Officer for the Ennis Language Planning Network. Over the past year, Megan has worked tirelessly to promote and enhance the use of the Irish language throughout the region.
Áine Nic Giolla Phóil is doing outstanding work as a language assistant in local schools, where she works closely with both students and teachers to promote and strengthen the use of Irish in the classroom. With great energy, dedication, and a deep passion for the language, she inspires children to speak Irish naturally and with confidence.
She has played a vital role in the development of new initiatives, inspiring communities and supporting various groups to increase the everyday use of Irish. Megan’s passion, commitment, and creativity are evident in all aspects of her work, and she continues to make a meaningful impact on the linguistic and cultural life of the area.
Cathaoirleach of Chláir as Gaeilge, Dónal Ó Ainiféin, referred to the national awards that the town has won over the years and said that he was sure that more would be coming in the coming years. He explained that this plan is the result of the research and preliminary planning that was done to achieve the status of a Irish language network.
Minister of State Jack Chambers said, “As a Minister with responsibility for the implementation of the Gaeltacht Act 2012, I am pleased to see the significant progress that has been made in the language planning process throughout the country. In the communities I visit in towns and villages all over Ireland, I am so impressed with the enthusiasm, commitment and commitment of the local people who are so passionate about Irish to strengthen and promote it. I congratulate Foras na Gaeilge on this new campaign and website which will be an excellent resource for the existing and future language planning organisations. I am also delighted that the focus of this initiative is to make it easier for the public to find out about Irish in their own areas. This is vital for more people to want to adopt the language and to ensure that it grows with it in the future.”
An Clár as Gaeilge, as the main organization for the development of the Irish language in the county, will be coordinating the work and the whole community is invited to participate.
