Latest news with #SeachtainnaGaeilge

Irish Times
27-04-2025
- Irish Times
Airbnb landlords and holiday home owners are squeezing native speakers out of Gaeltacht areas
One of the unanticipated consequences of the housing crisis has been its impact on the Irish language , as native speakers are forced out of Gaeltacht areas by wealthy people from Dublin and other parts of Ireland snapping up holiday homes or investment properties. Over 106,000 people live in Ireland's six Gaeltacht areas of Cork , Donegal , Galway , Kerry , Meath , Mayo and Waterford , of whom 63 per cent indicated they could speak Irish in Census 2022 – down from 72 per cent previously. The Galway Gaeltacht has the highest proportion of daily speakers of Irish at 39 per cent. The number of daily speakers of Irish, outside education, has fallen 13 per cent since 2016. Language is very much an ecosystem, and the environment in which it is spoken is critically important. The home is the most likely context for the use of a minority language, so any break in the chain of language transmission from parents to children (and others) has consequences for the long-term survival of the language. To reverse the process, Professor Margaret Noori says 'the language must be returned to the children and the home.' But what happens when homes in Gaeltacht areas are thin on the ground? READ MORE In Galway county between 2016 and 2022 , housing stock grew by five per cent. At the same time the number of holiday homes grew 13 per cent to 4,286. In Mayo, the number of holiday homes increased by 23 per cent to just under 6,000. More than 40 per cent of the houses in the Language Planning Areas of South Kerry, Tory Island and North Donegal are holiday homes, occupied for a fraction of the year. Nearly half of all houses in Gaeltacht areas are holiday homes . [ Gaeltacht groups protest over housing crisis 'that has led to depopulation' Opens in new window ] Short-term letting platforms are profit-hungry global behemoths, not small-time pin money enterprises, and are widespread in Gaeltacht areas. A report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) which was published on Friday found while Airbnb and other letting platforms are not the primary cause of Ireland's rental crisis, those properties were concentrated mainly in tourist hotspots along the west coast. Westport in Co Mayo and Killarney in Co Kerry had the highest concentration accounting for one-in-three private rented properties and one-in-six respectively. The ratio of entire properties listed for rent on platforms such as Airbnb compared to those available for private rent is in some cases as high as 90 to one (Kerry); 48 to one (Donegal); 27 to one in Clare, and ten to one in Waterford, all places with significant areas of Irish speaking (for the moment.) With more than 500 entire homes as short-term lets in Connemara alone, Irish speakers struggle to find somewhere to live in Gaeltacht areas. It is ironic to see Airbnb promoting properties for rent in Gaeltacht areas during Seachtain na Gaeilge at the same time as residents say short term lets are accelerating the language crisis by forcing native Irish speakers to move elsewhere. The State has historically been the most important actor ensuring the long-term survival of the Irish language, usually through the education system. In the 1920s, for example, elementary science, hygiene, nature studies and domestic studies were dropped as compulsory subjects in primary schools in order to make room for ' singing, history and geography, and Drill ' all to be taught as Gaeilge. According to UCD's Dr Iarfhlaith Watson, however, the State has long 'been withdrawing its policy of producing an Irish-speaking nation and in recent years has focused more on Irish speakers as individuals.' But language is fundamentally a social behaviour, not just an individualistic skill. Irish is a now minority language. For the State, the Irish language is still important, but now mostly symbolically. For many speakers of Irish, however, it is integral to their identity. A lack of homes in Gaeltacht areas is one of the ways the housing crisis has become a linguistic and cultural crisis. It is in recognition of this that the Welsh government's Language Communities Housing Plan commits to 'taking immediate and radical action using the planning, property and taxation systems to address the negative impact that second homes and short-term holiday lets can have on the availability and affordability of housing for local people.' Here, the Revised National Planning Framework (NPF) doesn't mention housing and the Gaeltacht together. Neither does the Government's 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 refer to housing. Both documents have failed to identify a core threat to the language's continued existence. This is, quite literally, planning to fail. New planning permission regulations for short-term lettings have been diluted to towns of more than 10,000 population and will have no positive effect on Gaeltacht areas and will be of no assistance to most rural families, including Irish speakers, looking to house themselves. Proposals in the Programme for Government to introduce specific housing targets for Gaeltacht areas are weak and too little, too late, if they happen at all. Under Article 9 of the Housing (Gaeltacht) (Amendment) Act 2001 , the Government has the power 'to make schemes for the provision of grants or other financial assistance to a person towards the cost of the erection or improvement of a dwelling house in the Gaeltacht'. Grants for this were suspended by the Government in 2009, but they could be brought back again. Established in 1980, Údarás na Gaeltachta, the regional authority responsible for the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht, has created employment with the aim of ending emigration and retaining indigenous Irish speakers. But if it is not possible for employees of local enterprises to house themselves, the hope that employment will retain Irish speakers in the Gaeltacht is futile. Dr Lorcan Sirr is senior lecturer in housing at the Technological University Dublin


BBC News
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
St Patrick's Day: What's happening in Northern Ireland?
Thousands of people are expected to gather in towns and cities across Northern Ireland to celebrate St Patrick's Day on promises to be a multicultural celebration of music, culture, the Irish language and City and Strabane will be "celebrating our heritage" which will bring together people from local schools, sports clubs and drama and Downpatrick will have parades with street performers, community groups, dancers and News NI has taken a look at some of what's on offer across Northern Ireland this year. Belfast Belfast has been hosting events since the start of March, with a packed programme of cultural activities across the city leading up to St Patrick's St Patrick's Day parade on Monday will start at 13:30 GMT. Local dance troops, schools, community groups and musicians will weave their way from Belfast City Hall, through the city centre via Chichester Street, Victoria Street, High Street, Castle Place and Donegall Place, before returning to the city TradFest are hosting a four-day music festival until Monday.Féile an Phobail is running a trad trail, with over 100 sessions in venues across the city. This is running until na Gaeilge, an annual festival promoting the Irish language and culture, has been hosting events since the beginning of the month. Dearbhail Uí Bhiataigh from Seachtain na Gaeilge said: "The Irish language is flourishing throughout Belfast, and we want to create more opportunities to use and see the language in the heart of the city centre."See the full list of Belfast events. Londonderry The theme for Derry's St Patrick's Day programme incorporates forest, sky and sea as the city celebrates the arrival of brighter days ahead. Activities are planned for Guildhall Square, the Craft Village, Waterloo Place and the St Patrick's Day parade will begin at 15:00 GMT, departing from the Bishop Street parade will begin at 14:00 GMT, leaving from Holy Cross College. It will pass through Bridge Street and Market Street, past Abercorn Square and along Railway Road, and finish at Dock 120 children from local schools will take part in this year's parade. The city's Alley Theatre will run activities from 13:30 to 16:30 GMT, such as live music form Craic and face painting. Later in the evening, the Strabane Drama Festival will continue with the Whiteheaded Boy by Lennox Robinson, presented by the Bart the full list of Derry and Strabane events. Downpatrick Downpatrick, reputedly the final resting place of St Patrick, will host a carnival parade with street performers, community groups and parade will leave from Downshire Estate at 13:30 GMT and is due to arrive in the town centre at 14:00 GMT. There will be entertainment throughout the afternoon at the Grove and St Patrick's Square. See the full list of Newry and Downpatrick events. Armagh In Armagh, thousands of visitors are expected for a week-long celebration, which began on Sunday, 9 March, with a lineup of music, art, theatre, and cultural city's parade, organised by the local community, will start at 13:00 GMT on Monday from the Christian Brother's School. It will finish at the Cathedral Road Recreation Centre.A vigil walk will take place between St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral and St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral at 19:30 GMT on Sunday 16 the full list of Armagh events. Newry In Newry, the St Patrick's Day parade will depart from Albert Basin at 13:00 GMT on Monday. There will be events and attractions at Hill Street and McClelland Park, including free face painting and climbing the Marcus and Margaret Squares, there will be live music and céili dancing. Further details of Newry events can be found here. Dungannon There will be a free St Patrick's Day concert between 13:30 GMT and 16:30 GMT on Monday at the Hill of the O'Neill and Ranfurly House, Dungannon. Irish trad and folk band The Muddlers Club will provide entertainment the crowds. There will be face painting, amusements, arts and crafts and food vendors on site. No booking will be required. Enniskillen The Enniskillen St Patrick's Day parade will take place at 15:30 GMT on Monday, leaving from Enniskillen Castle. This year's theme is Jump 'n' Jive. A free family fun day at the castle will play host to live entertainment acts starting, at 13:30 GMT. On Sunday, an illuminated tractor and truck run will take place along the traditional parade route at 19:30 GMT, in aid of Stroke the full list of Enniskillen events. Omagh Omagh's St Patrick's Day Parade will begin at 14:00 GMT from South West College. This year's theme is 'snakes alive', taking inspiration from the 2025 Lunar New Year of the snake. There will be entertainment from 13:00 GMT, with music from Tis Not Easy and St Eugene's Brass and Reed Band.A 'Ceili on the Cobbles' will take place at the Court House stage from 15:00 GMT, with live music from Pluck Arts Centre will host a variety of family-friendly activities including arts and crafts, storytelling, and face the full list of Omagh events Antrim and Newtownabbey Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has an array of St Patrick's Day events on offer. There will be an exhibition of historic Irish dancing costumes dating back to the 1940s at the Theatre at The Mill, running until 13 April. The exhibition will showcase the tradition and artistry of Irish dance and is free to visit.A fun family day of live music, storytelling, and traditional Irish dancing and highland dancing will take place at Antrim Castle Gardens from 12:00 GMT to 16:00 GMT on Sunday. To round off the celebrations, on the evening of St Patrick's Day, the Rapparees will take to the stage at Theatre at The the full list of Armagh events. Lisburn A St Patrick's Day celebration and tea dance will take place from 13:00 GMT to 16:00 GMT on Saturday in Market Square, Lisburn. In the Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum, there will be a free drop-in arts and crafts themed around the patron saint on Saturday and Monday from 09:30 GMT to 15:30 GMT. Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has a full Seachtain Na Gaeilge programme which celebrates the Irish language leading up to St Patrick's Day. See here for more information. Ballycastle In Ballycastle, County Antrim, there will be activities for families and a St Patrick's Day parade on Monday. The Market at the seafront opens from 11:30 GMT and will include a mix of artisans, makers, food producers and independent St Patrick's Day parade will begin at 13:00 GMT with a walk to the seafront led by a 13:00 GMT and 16:00 GMT, there will be live music performances from local acts at the seafront the Marine Hotel, there will be arts and crafts for families, including a quiet area and informal sports demonstrations. Storytelling with Liz Weir will take place in the nearby bowling club at 14:00 GMT, 14:45 GMT and 15:30 the festival schedule here. Elsewhere in Northern Ireland, a family friendly garden tour of Mount Stewart is being held by Ards and North Down Borough Council on Sunday. It explores the stories behind the statues in the formal gardens, steeped in Irish and world mythology. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is hosting a mini St Patrick's Day festival in Limavady on Saturday, with details here.