Deasún Mac an Easpaig

…de la Irish Voice:

...Perhaps the best advocate for Irish is fellow Queens, NY native Des Bishop. Bishop moved to Ireland when he was in his mid-teens and, thus, was exempt from having to learn Irish while in school here. That exemption probably explains Bishop's recently found love of Irish better than anything else: he wasn't turned off the language by the school and exam process.

Bishop is a well known stand-up comedian, which gives him a platform to reach out to those teenagers and 20-somethings, so many of whom detest the thought of Irish. Bishop’s first foray into the mother tongue was an Irish version of the rap single "Jump Around" by House of Pain. This was a big hit with audiences all over the country.

However Bishop took it a lot further last year with his ‘reality’ television series that tracked his efforts to learn Irish in a year and finish up with a whole night of comedy in the language.

"In the Name of the Fada," is great television and with it Bishop has made Irish ‘cool’, to an extent anyway. There’s a lot for the language to overcome, but if somehow someone can convince the staid folks in charge of setting education policy – and Bishop is working on this – then maybe the language.

Hillary Clinton

…de The Scotsman:

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last night threw her weight behind calls for the Northern Ireland Assembly to take responsibility for running the region's justice system.

Mrs Clinton arrived in Dublin ahead of talks with political leaders in Belfast today on the economy and on the devolution of further powers from Westminster…

Mrs Clinton said: "Clearly, there are questions and some apprehensions but I believe that, due to the concerted effort of the British government, Irish government and support of friends like us in the US, that the parties understand this is a step they must take together."It will take the leaders of both communities working together to continue not only the devolution but then to make day-to-day governing a reality."

*SEOLTA / ADRESOJ:

.Hon. Hillary Rodham Clinton
.U.S. Department of State

.2201 C Street NW

.Washington, DC 20520
.Stáit Aotaithe Mhéiriceá

.Domhnall Ó Ruanaigh, Uas.
.Ambasáid na Stát Aontaithe Mheiriceá
.Droichead na Dothra
.Baile Átha Cliath 4
.Éire

.Kamala S. Lakhdhir, Uas.
.Ard-Chonsalacht na Stát Aontaithe Mheiriceá
.Teach Dúin na Lochlannach
.223 Bóthar an tSrutháin Mhilis
.Béal Feirste BT9 5GR
.Northern Ireland

Barr 50 Gnó as Gaeilge 2008

…de la blogo, From the Balcony, de Máirtín Ó Muilleoir:

There's some biggies on the Barr 50 Gnó as Gaeilge this year including Wikipeida (which boasts an Irish Viclipéid), Apple and Cognotec (the world's greatest supplier of software to the financial sector created by Jewish Dublin Gaeilgeoir Brian Maccaba).

And there's also space for our great film-maker Anne Stirling, whose company produced the exciting teenage soap filmed at Queen's University, Seacht, jewellery genius Brian de Staic and our very own Tony McCusker of the Gaeltacht Quarter Board.

The award winners from the 50 will be announced at a gala luncheon in Dublin's palatial Four Seasons Hotel on Friday but you can get a sneak preview at the magazine honouring the fab fifty here.

An Ceathrú Gaeltachta

…de 4NI:

Groundbreaking plans to drive forward the regeneration of Belfast through the establishment of An Ceathrú Gaeltachta – a dedicated 'Gaeltacht' quarter - are centre stage today (Thursday) as Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams addresses a national regeneration conference.

Speaking in Birmingham, at the Locality and Language Conference, Mr Adams outlined innovative proposals which could see one square mile around the city's Falls Road area transformed into a hub for traditional Irish language, culture and business, in line with recommendations in the 'Dutton Report'.

Written by Clive Dutton, Birmingham City Council Director of Regeneration - who will also deliver a keynote speech at the conference - the Dutton Report was commissioned in 2003 and builds upon recommendations by the Joint West Belfast and Greater Shankill Taskforce.

As well as promoting the establishment of Irish language, arts, cultural and educational projects, Dutton's proposals seek to fuel an economic and tourism boom, while regenerating neighbourhoods which are home to more than 20,000 people.

Gerry Adams said: "An Ceathrú Gaeltachta is an innovative proposal which builds upon the enthusiasm of the Irish speaking community in west Belfast..."

Usono kaj la Gaela Kvartalo

...de la blogo, From the Balcony, de Máirtín Ó Muilleoir:

I was delighted to join Seán Mitchell, host of the cultural economy conference on the Falls Road on 8 and 9 May — the same days as the major investment conference for ceos of US companies — to brief US Consul General Susan Elliott on the Gaeltacht Quarter initiative.

Turns out that the Irish American Unity Conference has been raising the Gaeltacht Quarter conference in their briefings to US politicians as part of their push to ensure any investment drive here helps those who live in underserved areas and is fair investment.

That little nudge from the US meant that, for the first time, the US Consulate sent out feelers to get a briefing on the state of the Irish language in Belfast today...

Comhdháil Gheilleagar Chultúrtha

...de la blogo, From the Balcony, de Máirtín Ó Muilleoir:

The programme of the Gaeltacht Quarter Cultural Economy Conference has just been published and can be read here.

It's an impressive showing and I'm delighted that so many of our US visitors to the bigger investment conference have been enquiring about attending.

Dankon, Continental!

March 22, 2008

.

Mr. John Mowad
Continental Airlines / Dept. HQSEO
1600 Smith Street
Houston, Texas 77002

re: L3593794

Dear Mr. Mowad:

Thank you for your kind response to my letter regarding the possibility of Irish-language announcements aboard Ireland-bound Continental Airlines flights. I look forward to further response from your Senior Management teams.

In your letter, you mentioned Shannon and Dublin Airports. One would hope that Belfast flights would also be considered. Belfast is the home of a vibrant Irish-speaking community and boasts of its own Gaeltacht Quarter.

Here, I would recommend that, for Belfast flights, Ulster Scots announcements accompany those in Irish. Short, and even recorded, announcements in both languages would be perfectly feasible and even welcomed by many.

I am certain that the Ulster Scots Agency would be happy to help in this regard, just as Foras na Gaeilge would be able to do so with Irish.

As you may know, Highland Airways even offers online booking services through three languages, English, Scots Gaelic and Welsh. Continental Airlines may want to consider this further step in improving service.

Many businesses are discovering the benefits of using Irish. The annual Barr 50 (Top 50) awards are indicative of this and often include companies based outside of Ireland.

It would be exciting to see (and hear!) Continental Airlines services provided as Gaeilge!

Des Bishop

…de la Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich:

Lisa Bishop Presents Oíche Coiméide/Comedy Night with...

Des Bishop

An Satharn seo, 8 Nollaig 2007. 8:00 i.n.

Ticéid £12/£10 ar fáil anois!!

This Saturday, 8 December 2007. 8:00 p.m

Tickets £12/£10 available now!!

Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, (028) 90 964180

* Des, cathain a fheicfimid na focail le “Léimigí Thart” ar do shuíomh?

Daltaí na Gaeilge

…de la blogo, From the Balcony, de Máirtín Ó Muilleoir:

In the meantime, Daithí Mac Lochlainn of US Irish language learners network daltai.com writes to say he's the guy behind the Bow Street Mall blog and that you can see more here.

Daltai.com is symbolic of the growing interest among US citizens and students in the Irish language and makes you wonder if the Tourist Board should be given some money to promote the Gaeltacht Quarter.