Groundbreaking research examining family transmission of Irish launched during Féile an Phobail 2024 and recommends ‘significant and ongoing investment to enhance and increase provision of Irish-medium early years and family services’

Fís an Phobail launched ‘Saol Trí Ghaeilge: A Review of Irish Language Early Years and Family Services in the Irish Language Planning Network Area of West Belfast’ today in Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich as part of Féile an Phobail 2024. The research, carried out by Dr Órla Nig Oirc, is part of a comprehensive language plan for West Belfast. West Belfast is one of only five areas across Ireland afforded language planning status outside of the Gaeltacht in recognition of the community-led revival of the language here.

Under the auspices of Fís an Phobail, an umbrella group named ‘Ag Tógáil Clainne le Gaeilge’ was formed made up of community organisations, academics and parents that are located within the language planning area of West Belfast that seeks to ensure that families have the confidence and are supported to live their lives more fully through the Irish Language in West Belfast.

Sorcha Ní Chathmhaoil, Family Support Coordinator with Fís an Phobail said:

“It has been an incredibly enriching experience for me working with families across West Belfast who are raising their children with Irish. In many respects, in terms of community services that bring families together, we are at the start of a journey, which makes this research so vital for us as it will help inform and shape the direction of travel for us in the years ahead.

“We are so fortunate to have a committed group of parents who not only engage with our services but who gave their time so generously to help with this exciting research.  The evidence base and critical insights from parents and service providers and our ability to draw on the expertise of engaged researchers means that this research can provide positive answers to the challenges we face as a minoritised language community.

We are extremely grateful for the support we received from the Department for Communities and the Community Fund from the National lottery which made this vital research possible.”

Dr. Órla Nig Oirc, who carried out the research commented:

“It was an incredible pleasure for me to undertake this research on Irish medium family provision within the West Belfast Language Planning network area. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations and discussions with every participant who generously shared their experiences and practices with me. Transmission of minoritized languages at home is the most important yet most difficult aspect of language planning and revitalisation to develop yet I am heartened by the ongoing efforts of Fís an Phobail, alongside the amazing community organisations and service providers in West Belfast.

”This inspirational cohort of parents, who have chosen to  raise their children with Irish, are central to efforts to develop sustainable language communities here. Their detailed narratives, and the expressed views of those community organisations working to provide these much needed services, point clearly towards the need for significant and ongoing investment to enhance and increase provision of Irish-medium early years and family services ”

Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones remarked:

“The revitalization of the Irish language through community initiatives in Belfast and the north of Ireland is becoming increasingly recognized at international level. The sustained actions of social movements, over many years and often in adverse conditions, is truly a source of inspiration to many member organisations of the European Language Equality Network.

“In this report, we also read about the importance of connecting people and the value of such exchanges. Our languages can learn from each other: acquisition and use among children and youth is at the top of everyone’s list and we need to know what is working where in the field of cultural and linguistic socialisation of younger generations through minoritized languages, just as much as stories of immersion education in each other’s countries.”

See full report here.

Ends

Le haghaidh tuilleadh eolais / For more information:

Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin

ciaran@fisanphobail.com

07545293841

Sorcha Ní Chathmhaoil

sorcha@fisanphobail.com

07743273118

About us:

For the first time ever, areas outside of the Gaeltacht regions have been awarded official status as areas of specific linguistic importance. In 2018, Foras na Gaeilge awarded specific status to ‘Irish Language Network Areas’ and West Belfast was one of only 5 areas chosen across Ireland.  Funding was made available to develop a language plan for the area in 2018 and since then that plan has been approved by Foras na Gaeilge and given official status by the Irish Government. In September 2022, a language planning coordinator was appointed to oversee implementation of that plan over the next 7 years. West Belfast Youth and Community Organisation, Glór na Móna  are the lead body on the West Belfast Language planning network.The overall aim of Fís an Phobail is to support the development of a critical mass of speakers to foster and strengthen a sustainable language community in the years. The official recognition for this network provides national status for our work and the additional resources that accompany the project provides the space with which to implement an ambitious plan which recognises and assesses existing provision and develops an action plan to strengthen and expand on them in the years ahead.

In an area no bigger than 3 square miles we have; 5 Irish-medium primary schools; 6 IM nursery providers; the biggest post-primary IM school anywhere in Ireland; 3 youth clubs and the regional IM youth body (Fóram na nÓg); 2 IM community orgs supported through Foras na Gaeilge’s Language in the Community Scheme (Glór na Móna and Ionad Uibh Eachach); two childcare providers (Ionad Uibh Eachach and Teach Mhamó); An IM Cultural and Arts Centre (Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiach); a full-time community radio station (Ráidió Fáilte); a professional theatre company (Aisling Ghéar); an Irish language GAA club (Laochra Loch Lao CLG); a community learning and social hub (Cumann Chluain Árd); a training and vocational company (Gaelchúrsaí); A Business Agency driving the Gaeltacht Quarter development (Forbairt Feirste) – which is located in the newly built Áras na bhFál alongside other IM bodies such as Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta and national advocacy body, Conradh na Gaeilge. St Marys University College, the only third level teacher training provider for IM schools in also located in the area alongside a myriad of smaller sporting, heritage and community projects which make West Belfast uniquely positioned to develop bilingual communities in the years ahead.

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