Latest news with #Irish-language
Irish Independent
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Wicklow Gaelscoil faces loss of teacher because it is ‘only one pupil short of the threshold'
Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady, has called on the government to intervene to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio in Gaelscoileanna and to prevent the loss of a teacher from Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, in Bray, this September. 'Following the crash in 2011, the government made the damaging decision to increase the pupil-teacher ratio in Gaelscoileanna, under the guise of aligning them with English-medium schools,' Deputy Brady said. 'This policy shift has had long-term consequences, and now we see those consequences play out locally in Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, which is being forced to lose a teacher because they are only one pupil short of the threshold. It is disgraceful and deeply unfair,' he said. Deputy Brady said he has repeatedly raised the issue with the Education Minister Helen McEntee, but the Department has refused to consider exceptional circumstances, despite the significant impact this decision will now have on the school community, something he described as 'completely unacceptable'. 'I have been in contact with the Minister for Education, but despite the very clear case put forward by the school and community, there is a total unwillingness to show any flexibility. The result is that the children are being punished, staff are being stretched, and the quality of the education is being compromised', he said. The Wicklow TD also highlighted the 'hypocrisy at the heart of government claims' to support the Irish language and expand opportunities for Irish-medium education, while 'failing to back that rhetoric with real investment or meaningful policy change'. 'The Programme for Government set a target of 19:1 pupil teacher ratio for primary schools. But the reality in classrooms, particularly in many Gaelscoileanna, is worlds apart. Schools are overcrowded, under-resourced and under constant pressure. The decision to strip Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh of a teacher shows just how little regard this Government has for Irish-medium schools and for the children who attend them,' he said. He also criticised what he described as 'the ongoing failure of successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments' to tackle staffing issues in Gaelcholaistí, pointing to Coláiste Ráithín, in Bray, as an example of a school facing persistent difficulties. 'Year after year, Coláiste Ráithín is left scrambling to fill teaching posts due to staff shortages beyond their control. It is a repeated cycle that the Government refuses to fix. They 'talk the talk' regarding the Irish language, but when it comes to real support for the schools delivering Irish-language education, they vanish. It is a fantastic school, and they should not have this constant worry,' he said. He said that unless the Government reinstates the previous, lower pupil-teacher ratio for Gaelscoileanna and immediately intervenes to prevent the loss of staff at Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, they will continue to fail children, parents and communities who recognise the value of Irish-medium education. 'If the government is serious about investing in children's education, about supporting the Irish language, and about giving real choice to families as to where they send their children to school, they must act now,' he concluded.
Hindustan Times
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Hungary bans Irish rap group Kneecap from entering ahead of festival performance
BUDEST, Hungary — Members of the Irish-language rap group Kneecap were banned from entering Hungary ahead of their scheduled performance at the popular Sziget Festival as authorities argued the musicians' presence in the country would constitute a risk to national security. Hungary bans Irish rap group Kneecap from entering ahead of festival performance The Belfast trio, scheduled to play on Sziget's closing day on Aug. 11, is known for anarchic energy, satirical lyrics and use of symbolism associated with the Irish republican movement, which seeks to unite Northern Ireland, currently part of the U.K., with the Republic of Ireland. The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references and for political statements seeming to glorify militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause throughout Israel's war in Gaza and say they don't support Hezbollah and Hamas nor condone violence. Hungary's immigration authority, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, published decrees on Thursday declaring Kneecap members Naoise Ó Cairealláin, J.J. Ó Dochartaigh and Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh would be banned from Hungary's territory for three years since their 'entry and stay constitute a serious threat to national security.' Government spokesman Zoltán Kovács wrote on social platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was due to 'antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah.' Hungarian authorities and other groups had earlier pushed Sziget Festival to cancel the band's performance. Hungary's minister for European affairs, János Bóka, noted the government's 'zero-tolerance' policy toward antisemitism in a July 11 letter to the festival's organizers. Hundreds of figures from Hungary's music and cultural community also have signed a petition calling for Kneecap's performance to be cancelled. The group performed in April at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, where they accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians enabled by the U.S. government. That sparked calls for the rappers' U.S. visas to be revoked and several Kneecap gigs have since been canceled as a result. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Irish Sun
24-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
RTE and BBC confirm star-laden punditry teams for All-Ireland football final between Kerry & Donegal
KERRY versus Donegal will pit some of the biggest names in Gaelic football against one another - and the same can be said for the BBC and RTE's punditry teams. The on-pitch focus will centre on how Advertisement 3 Wicklow manager Oisin McConville is the longest tenured expert the BBC have in their ranks Credit: Sportsfile 3 He and Dublin great Paul Flynn used to be a double-act on the Second Captains podcast Credit: Sportsfile 3 Flynn, Enda McGinley and Cora Staunton will be among those to join Jacqui Hurley on Sunday night Credit: Sportsfile But the unveiling of each broadcaster's starting line-up has added further star power to Sunday's looming thriller. First up, the national broadcaster's coverage will see presenter Joanne Cantwell joined by Tomás Ó Sé, Peter Canavan and Lee Keegan for pre and post-match analysis. Like the semi-final between Meath and Donegal, Damian Lawlor It'll be Darragh Maloney and Advertisement Read More On GAA The programme will begin on RTE One from 2:15pm with it running until 6pm. The reason for it not being on on RTE Two like usual is that the Women's Euros final It's worth noting that there will be an Irish-language option available through the RTE News channel from 2:55pm. For the BBC, Thomas Niblock will be chairing the discussion between Oisin McConville, Philly McMahon, Conor McManus, Mickey Harte, Owen Mulligan and Brendan Devenney. Advertisement Most read in GAA Football Who knows whether the game itself will go to extra-time but Niblock and Harte will certainly will be doing double-time as they'll also provide the commentary. Additionally, they've recruited Sharlene Mawdsley takes part in hilarious road race as part of Tipperary's All-Ireland celebration That packed broadcast will get under way from 3pm and is due to wrap up at 5.30pm. Sunday night's edition of The Sunday Game will give Ó Sé, Ciarán Whelan, Enda McGinley, Paul Flynn, Cora Staunton and Mark McHugh the platform to reflect on the final and season as a whole. Advertisement This year's match-up is quite clearly a case of the two best teams being the last two standing. It's set to be a refreshingly clear sight too thanks to the GAA opting to On Wednesday, the Association tweeted: "A rare sight on the biggest stage. Kerry and Donegal in alternate colours for the first final clash since 2010." Advertisement The move has been broadly praised over the past few hours. Joe replied: "Good idea. It was nuts having Meath and Donegal play in their normal colours in the semi-final." Similarly, Cathal added: "About time. The Meath-Donegal game should've been the same." Now that that part of the puzzle has been solved, all that's left to debate is who's actually going to wind up lifting Sam Maguire. Earlier this week Joe Brolly and Pat Spillane Advertisement
Toronto Sun
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Hungary bans Irish rap group Kneecap from entering ahead of festival
The group has faced criticism for political statements seeming to glorify militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah Published Jul 24, 2025 • 2 minute read Naoise O Caireallain, left, and Liam Og of the hip hop trio Kneecap perform during the Glastonbury Festival in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Saturday, June 28, 2025. Photo by Scott A Garfitt / Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP BUDAPEST, Hungary — Members of the Irish-language rap group Kneecap were banned from entering Hungary ahead of their scheduled performance at the popular Sziget Festival as authorities argued the musicians' presence in the country would constitute a risk to national security. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Belfast trio, scheduled to play on Sziget's closing day on Aug. 11, is known for anarchic energy, satirical lyrics and use of symbolism associated with the Irish republican movement, which seeks to unite Northern Ireland, currently part of the U.K., with the Republic of Ireland. The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references and for political statements seeming to glorify militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause throughout Israel's war in Gaza and say they don't support Hezbollah and Hamas nor condone violence. Hungary's immigration authority, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, published decrees on Thursday declaring Kneecap members Naoise ' Caireallain, J.J. ' Dochartaigh and Liam 'g 'hAnnaidh would be banned from Hungary's territory for three years since their 'entry and stay constitute a serious threat to national security.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was due to 'antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah.' Hungarian authorities and other groups had earlier pushed Sziget Festival to cancel the band's performance. Hungary's minister for European affairs, Janos Boka, noted the government's 'zero-tolerance' policy toward antisemitism in a July 11 letter to the festival's organizers. Hundreds of figures from Hungary's music and cultural community also have signed a petition calling for Kneecap's performance to be cancelled. The group performed in April at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, where they accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians enabled by the U.S. government. That sparked calls for the rappers' U.S. visas to be revoked and several Kneecap gigs have since been canceled as a result. Love concerts, but can't make it to the venue? Stream live shows and events from your couch with VEEPS, a music-first streaming service now operating in Canada. Click here for an introductory offer of 30% off. Explore upcoming concerts and the extensive archive of past performances. Sports Golf Sunshine Girls Canada Sunshine Girls
San Francisco Chronicle
24-07-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Hungary bans Irish rap group Kneecap from entering ahead of festival performance
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Members of the Irish-language rap group Kneecap were banned from entering Hungary ahead of their scheduled performance at the popular Sziget Festival as authorities argued the musicians' presence in the country would constitute a risk to national security. The Belfast trio, scheduled to play on Sziget's closing day on Aug. 11, is known for anarchic energy, satirical lyrics and use of symbolism associated with the Irish republican movement, which seeks to unite Northern Ireland, currently part of the U.K., with the Republic of Ireland. The group has faced criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references and for political statements seeming to glorify militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Kneecap has accused critics of trying to silence the band because of its support for the Palestinian cause throughout Israel's war in Gaza and say they don't support Hezbollah and Hamas nor condone violence. Hungary's immigration authority, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing, published decrees on Thursday declaring Kneecap members Naoise Ó Cairealláin, J.J. Ó Dochartaigh and Liam Óg ÓhAnnaidh would be banned from Hungary's territory for three years since their 'entry and stay constitute a serious threat to national security.' Government spokesman Zoltán Kovács wrote on social platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was due to 'antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah.' Hungarian authorities and other groups had earlier pushed Sziget Festival to cancel the band's performance. Hungary's minister for European affairs, János Bóka, noted the government's 'zero-tolerance' policy toward antisemitism in a July 11 letter to the festival's organizers. Hundreds of figures from Hungary's music and cultural community also have signed a petition calling for Kneecap's performance to be cancelled. The group performed in April at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California, where they accused Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians enabled by the U.S. government. That sparked calls for the rappers' U.S. visas to be revoked and several Kneecap gigs have since been canceled as a result.
