Labhair Gaeilge Liom: Bringing Irish into everyday business in Maghera

Businesses across Maghera are set to promote the Irish language through the second iteration of Labhair Gaeilge Liom (‘Speak Irish to Me’), a community campaign encouraging people to use Irish in everyday conversations throughout the town, first launched in 2024 with Joe’s Pizza, P&N butchers, Walsh’s Hotel and of course the An Carn enterprises the first to take part.

Recent additions: Caramel Kiss Spray Tanning, DMcN Valeting, Fryday’s Chippy, Glenshane Marquee Hire, Maghera leisure centre, McKenna’s Bar, Tír Coffee and The Scoring End reflect the growth in the language in recent years particularly in our local area.

The initiative invites Irish-speaking staff and business owners in Maghera to wear a Labhair Gaeilge Liom badge, making it easy for members of the public to identify those who are happy to speak Irish with them. The campaign aims to create more opportunities to use Irish in everyday life, helping to normalise the language in the area and importantly showing children that the Irish language is thriving around them.

25% of people in Maghera and the surrounding areas have a level of spoken Irish, according to the most recent census. Labhair Gaeilge Liom is aims to give greater recognition to these existing language skills and create more opportunities for people to put them into practice. Fluent speakers are encouraged to use their Irish, those who learned it in school can reconnect with the language, and learners can build confidence by using the Irish they have.

Joe Ó Dochartaigh, Language Planning Officer at An Carn said: “Labhair Gaeilge Liom is about making Irish more visible and accessible. Local businesses have an important role to play in supporting the continued use and growth of the language. By taking part in the initiative, businesses can help create welcoming spaces where customers feel comfortable speaking Irish and where the language becomes a more visible part of daily life in Maghera.

The Irish language revival in Carntogher, and throughout Mid Ulster, has had a hugely positive impact on the community, and through Labhair Gaeilge Liom, we want to share that positive impact as widely as we can.”

Sean McKenna, of Mckenna’s bar said: "Being involved in ‘Labhair Gaeilge Liom’ is a positive way for us to connect with more people in the local community. It helps customers feel welcome and gives them the confidence to use Irish when they visit our business.

“We’re proud to offer a service that reflects the community of Maghera, and we hope it encourages more people to shop local and visit establishments where they feel comfortable speaking Irish. Listening to Oisin converse with so many people, in Irish at the bar, makes everyone here at Peter's bar very proud to have him as a colleague”

Local businesses interested in supporting the campaign are encouraged to get involved by contacting An Carn at 028 79549978 or [email protected].