Leitrim County Council asked to appoint an Oifigeach Gaeilge (Irish Language Officer)
Leitrim has not had an Oifigeach Gaeilge since 2012 despite growing interest in the Irish language within the county
One of the matters discussed at the final meeting of the outgoing Leitrim County Council was a proposal that the council seek to employ a full-time Oifigeach Gaeilge whose job it would be to promote the Irish language in the county.
Members of Conradh na Gaeilge made a presentation at the May meeting and the councillors were unanimous in their support for the motion, having heard from three Irish language activists: Seán Ó Súilleabháin and Seán Ó Tuathaláin from Ballinamore and Seán Ó Murchadha who works at national level with Conradh na Gaeilge. The presentation was introduced by Seán Ó Tuathaláin.
Leitrim did have a full-time Oifigeach Gaeilge for one period of about ten months in 2012 and Seán Ó Murchadha filled that role. Seán pointed out that a number of counties have an Oifigeach Gaeilge in place and that number has increased over the past year. Most local authorities in the Six-Counties have an Irish Language Officer and some have two or three.
Cén fáth nach bhfuil ceann ar bith i Liatroim?
Nobody is employed in Leitrim at the moment to promote the language. Seán Ó Súilleabháin pointed out that while Irish is taught in the schools, and the county has two well-attended Gaelscoileanna, there isn’t a single person employed – outside of the school system- whose job it is to promote the language.
An incredible situation, just one hundred years after the foundation of the state, and with the promotion of the Irish language
as a key national objective. Ach, creid nó ná creid, sin mar atá an scéal.
Councillors were told about the extensive interest in the Irish language in the county at the moment:
- 11,263 persons, or 32% of the population, said they spoke Irish well (2022 Census)
- 2,815 persons, or 8% said they spoke Irish very well (2022 Census)
- 250 pupils attend the eight Gaelscoileanna in Liatroim.
- Teenagers attend Cumann na bhFiann Irish language youth groups in Liatroim.
- Ciorcail Chomhrá and Irish language classes in many places in the county.
- Conradh na Gaeilge branches are active in Ballinamore and Manorhamilton.