Latest news with #ÓSnodaigh
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Sinn Féin seeks meeting over Irish language status at Galway university
Sinn Féin's Irish and Gaeltacht spokesperson, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, has requested an urgent meeting with the Ollscoil na Gaillimhe authority to discuss the status of the Irish language at the university. Mr Ó Snodaigh said the Irish language community is disappointed that a "president with no Irish has been appointed to the country's only bilingual university for the first time since the State was founded". Last week, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe announced the appointment of Professor David J Burn from Newcastle in England as its 14th president. He will succeed Professor Peter McHugh, who has been in the position on an interim basis for almost a year. Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh had been the university president since 2018. This is the first time since 1926 that a president who does not speak Irish has been appointed to the university. Sinn Féin said this is a step backwards "in a university which is meant to be central to the revival of Irish and of the Gaeltacht". "I wish Professor Burn every success in his new role," said Mr Ó Snodaigh, "but urgent clarity is needed for the Irish-speaking community who are disappointed that a president with no Irish has been appointed to the country's only bilingual university for the first time since the State was founded". In 2017, the then government ended the statutory obligation which existed since 1926 that the office holder must be fluent and competent to perform their duties in Irish. Conradh na Gaeilge has also criticised the decision. Advocacy Manager with Conradh na Gaeilge, Róisín Ní Chinnéide, said that since the stipulation ended in 2017, there is no longer a statutory protection for the Irish language in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. "This means that it will now be left to the university itself to demonstrate their commitment to the language. If the staff cannot conduct their business with the offices of the university in the Irish language, then one must ask if the university can continue to claim to be a bilingual one." Sinn Féin have called on the university to provide a definition of what constitutes a bilingual university. In a statement to RTÉ, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe said there has been no explicit requirement for a president of the university to be an Irish speaker since 2017. It said "the university's bilingual status is a key priority and the role of president includes statutory responsibility for providing strong leadership in supporting and promoting commitment to both our language and culture".
The Journal
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Sinn Féin to lead protest outside GPO today over plans for more shops and offices on site
SINN FÉIN IS holding a protest today in Dublin over proposed changes to the GPO that involve opening more shops and offices on the site. The controversial plans are part of wider efforts to revamp the city centre. However, Sinn Féin has hit out at the , saying it would be better to take a 'visionary approach' to the redesign. Dublin South-Central TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh told The Journal that if the site is to be repurposed, it should only be for historical and cultural uses, because of it's central role in the Easter Rising of 1916. 'The public are adamant that the GPO is hallowed ground and should be respected, and can play a part in telling our story,' he said. He wasn't prescriptive about the specifics of what should be done with the site, saying instead that a conversation should be had. The GPO already has retail units that open onto Henry Street, which are rented by businesses. There were a number of ideas about what could be a better use of the complex, including a suggestion that it become home to RTÉ. The idea was shot down. Ó Snodaigh says the government needs to be 'imaginative'. 'What Irish people, I believe, are saying is this space should be different to the retail and office space around it. Advertisement 'It could help regenerate and revitalise that part of the city if it was approached properly,' he said. 'There are a lot of cultural institutions around the city that don't have enough space. There are artists with no space. They can't display their wares, they can't do their work. There's a shortage of small venues in the evening time.' The protest, which kicks off at 1pm time today, coincides with the All-Ireland hurling semi-final. Ó Snodaigh hopes the sporting event combined with the good weather will encourage people to join the rally. Revitalising the city centre Bringing the GPO proposal to cabinet last month, the Taoiseach said Dublin has become 'less welcoming' since the pandemic. He said that in recent years safety concerns in the capital have been highlighted. To address this, the Taoiseach proposed that a Designated Activity Company be set up to regenerate parts of the city, similar to the approach taken in the 1990s when Temple Bar was redeveloped. While that is being set up, a Project Management Office will be established by the council to begin the work urgently. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald described the GPO revamp as 'another shameful betrayal of Ireland's proud revolutionary history'. Junior Minister for Heritage Christopher O'Sullivan said some of the points made by her party in opposing the plan are 'absolutely outrageous' . The Cork South West TD argued that his party and Fine Gael have invested in commemorating the early revolutionary period of the Irish State and noted that €10m has already been invested in the current GPO experience and exhibition. 'We absolutely hold this period of Ireland's history dear to our hearts…Sinn Féin don't own this. They don't own the narrative. We all have a connection to that revolutionary period,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Sinn Féin TD advised to ‘chill the beans' as debate over Wexford's involvement in Norman celebrations continues – ‘we will not bow the knee in 2027'
Describing the celebrations, many of which will take place in Co Wexford, as 'scraping the barrel of colonialism, imperialism and English royalism', Deputy Ó Snodaigh has now accused members of WCC of smearing him as 'anti-Norman'. Responding to a discussion in Wexford County Hall during a council meeting, the deputy said he was 'highly amused' by the 'outrage' his comments had caused and hoped director of services, Eamonn Hore, had calmed down after reading them. Now Mr Hore has moved to defend Wexford's involvement in the 2027 celebrations and his own position on the event.. 'I was both surprised and amused to read Deputy Ó Snodaigh's most recent polemic on the European Year of the Normans,' said Mr Hore. 'And surprised to see the deputy enquiring if I had a chance to recover. Well, the deputy's concern continues to bring a smile to my face every time I reflect on this. And I have calmed down.' Mr Hore's surprise extended to the deputy's take on the European Year of the Normans and its place in the Wexford calendar. "Clearly, he has not checked it out properly and still does not get it. As posted on the Embassy of France in Ireland's Facebook page last week, it is 'an opportunity to revisit this common cultural, architectural and gastronomic heritage, through several major public events'. Hardly the reconquest of Ireland or the re-introduction of the penal laws.' Noting that Deputy Ó Snodaigh latest discourse on the subject referenced 'apartheid', 'pioneering landlords of yore', and 'a public relations exercise by a right wing regional coalition government', Mr Hore noted that this followed on from earlier invocations of Cromwell, the Famine Queen (Victoria), and 'scraping the barrel of colonialism'. "This is pretty sensationalist and over the top stuff, no matter which way you look at it,' said the WCC official. Happy to concede that the Sinn Féin deputy's comments on his own Norman heritage were 'reasonable and on point', Mr Hore, however, was less complimentary on the assumed lack of detail and preparation which has gone into the European Year of the Normans celebrations in Co Wexford. 'Deputy O' Snodaigh said in a radio interview with Seán Moncrieff that Minister Browne 'leapt in both feet first', that it is not properly planned, that this is being done in a haphazard way, that there is no real purpose to it, that the title is cobbled together, that it is only to promote Normandy, that William the Conqueror is being specifically celebrated, that this is not related to Ireland, that no thought has been put into it. "All incorrect deputy if you care to examine in more detail. 'Simply put for Wexford, this is a continuation of WCC's initiatives in developing the Norman Way, commencing back in 2016; the New Ross Municipal District's (NRMD) successful application to develop the Norman Centre in New Ross; the development of the New Ross High Hill Norman Gardens; the tourist trail around the magnificent St. Mary's Church; and the wall murals project highlighting aspects of New Ross town's Norman past and heritage. "This is allied with the magnificent work and interpretation of Norman Wexford that is Ferns Castle, the home of Diarmuid MacMurrough, King of Leinster. MacMurrough was 'legally' tried in Ferns in 2019 as part of the Norman 850th anniversary events. The overwhelming verdict of the trial was not guilty. We will be calling for a re-trial in 2027. Perhaps Deputy O 'Snodaigh would like to function as a Brehon for the re-trial.' In addition to these events, Mr Hore also noted the work of the Ros Tapestries, the visit of the French Ambassador to New Ross in 2022, and the 'history, culture, agriculture, stories, legends, recently discovered medieval documents, festivals, fun and architecture' which will all form the basis of Wexford's involvement in the 2027 celebrations. Taking umbrage with Deputy Ó Snodaigh's suggestion that many in Wexford would voice their dissent at the county's participation in the event, Mr Hore said recent history proved otherwise. 'Here in Wexford fully one third of all surnames are Norman, the highest percentage in the country,' he said. 'The Wexford heraldic crest includes Norman references and also pays homage to our great rebel past, you will not go far in Wexford without encountering a pike. Many of us wear pike pins. 'The crest of New Ross features William Marshal's bridge, and a stag and hound – all references to our Norman past. The GAA crest of the Bannow Ballymitty club features a Norman Knight on horseback fully armoured. The crest of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD) features the Norman heritage building of Johnstown Castle – as does the crest of St. Martin's GAA Club. The RMD crest includes the words – Vor a Gooude O' Aul, our ancient Norman-related Yola language which, when translated, means 'For the Good of All' and that is what we are endeavouring to do with this compelling and exciting project. 'As Davy Fitzgerald once said 'chill the beans'. I think the deputy should chill the beans. If you throw down a gauntlet to Wexford people, we will gladly accept the challenge. We have been acknowledging our Norman heritage for many years in the correct way – I do not think any of us have converted to royalism yet and we will not bow the knee in 2027."
RTÉ News
01-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Sinn Féin tables motion to protect cultural heritage of GPO
Sinn Féin has tabled a Private Members' Business Motion which it says would protect the cultural heritage of the GPO and put it at the heart of a 1916 cultural quarter. Aengus Ó Snodaigh condemned as a "clanger" Government plans to redevelop the site. He rejected charges that his party's plans would harm commerce in the area. Mr Ó Snodaigh urged that the "the full heritage and cultural potential is honoured and realised", and he said that the Government's countermotion deleted that phrase from his party's proposal. "Was it for Starbucks that all the blood was shed?" he asked, noting that the GPO's roof "gave birth to the Republic". His party colleague Joanna Byrne criticised the Government's response to the motion, saying it was a "dismissive smoke screen", and accused the Coalition of trying to "tear the heart out of the birth place of our Republic". Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly condemned as "shamfeful" the "breathtaking ignorance of our history" which she accused the Government of displaying. "Commercialisation of the GPO will not be tolerated," she added. Christopher O'Sullivan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, responded by saying that the GPO is not just "bricks and mortar" but "a witness" to - and "living symbol" of - Ireland's struggle for freedom. "The bullet holes still etched in its columns are not scars, but scriptures," he said. He noted that most of the workforce has moved to a new site, and quoted a regeneration report which urged that an ambitious national flagship project be undertaken at the site. It will remain in public ownership, he said. He condemned as "completely outrageous" and "completely out of order" accusations made by Sinn Féin against the Government of "betrayal" and "wanton destruction". "That is why we are strongly opposing this motion," he said, and added that there is already a commercial element at the site. He urged the party to take advantage of this "opportunity to create something wonderful", insisting that the cultural signifiance of the site would be at the centre of the redevelopment.
RTÉ News
01-07-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Sinn Féin table motion to protect cultural heritage of GPO
Sinn Féin has tabled a Private Members' Business Motion which it says would protect the cultural heritage of the GPO and put it at the heart of a 1916 cultural quarter. Aengus Ó Snodaigh condemned as a "clanger" Government plans to redevelop the site. He rejected charges that his party's plans would harm commerce in the area. Mr Ó Snodaigh urged that the "the full heritage and cultural potential is honoured and realised", and he said that the Government's countermotion deleted that phrase from his party's proposal. "Was it for Starbucks that all the blood was shed?" he asked, noting that the GPO's roof "gave birth to the Republic". His party colleague Joanna Byrne criticised the Government's response to the motion, saying it was a "dismissive smoke screen", and accused the Coalition of trying to "tear the heart out of the birth place of our Republic". Sinn Féin TD Louise O'Reilly condemned as "shamfeful" the "breathtaking ignorance of our history" which she accused the Government of displaying. "Commercialisation of the GPO will not be tolerated," she added. Christopher O'Sullivan, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, responded by saying that the GPO is not just "bricks and mortar" but "a witness" to - and "living symbol" of - Ireland's struggle for freedom. "The bullet holes still etched in its columns are not scars, but scriptures," he said. He noted that most of the workforce has moved to a new site, and quoted a regeneration report which urged that an ambitious national flagship project be undertaken at the site. It will remain in public ownership, he said. He condemned as "completely outrageous" and "completely out of order" accusations made by Sinn Féin against the Government of "betrayal" and "wanton destruction". "That is why we are strongly opposing this motion," he said, and added that there is already a commercial element at the site. He urged the party to take advantage of this "opportunity to create something wonderful", insisting that the cultural signifiance of the site would be at the centre of the redevelopment.
