Meitheal Mheantóireachta participants awarded certificates of participation at QUB
The 2024 cohort of the Meitheal Mheantóireachta mentorship scheme were awarded certificates of participation this week at Queen’s University.
The Meitheal Mheantóireachta is a mentoring scheme for people who work in the Irish language sector or who would like to work in the Irish language sector in the future.
The Meitheal Mheantóireachta started as a pilot scheme in 2023 and has now overseen the successful completion of two cohorts of mentees. This programme offers both practical and theoretical modules and provides participants with guidance and support for the next step in their careers.
The scheme is being run through Fís an Phobail, the West Belfast Language Network, in collaboration with the Department of Irish and Celtic Studies at Queen’s University.
Speaking about the programme, Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, Coordinator of Fís an Phobail, said:
“The Meitheal Mheantóireachta provides training and support to employees in the Irish-language sector and it is the first programme to be specifically developed for those who work through Irish on a day-to-day basis. The pilot scheme last year focused on employees in Belfast but we were happy to expand the scheme this year to accommodate mentees from across the country. One participant travelled all the way from Clare Island in Co. Cork to attend the sessions.”
Dr Síobhra Aiken from Queen’s University stated:
“Academics at Queen’s University have published research highlighting the importance of community-based approaches to the revitalisation of minority language in various global contexts. It is vital that this research is implemented and we are delighted to support the Meitheal Mheantóireachta. We hope to evaluate the impact of this pioneering mentorship scheme on language revitalization efforts and develop a model of good practice that could be used as a framework for other languages.”
Aodh Mac Murchaidh, from South Armagh, was among the participants. He said,
“I really enjoyed the training programme. Not only were the modules relevant and interesting but I had an amazing opportunity to meet with other people involved in Irish language activism and working in the sector. This really increased my awareness of the fundamental skills and knowledge required to work in the sector and it has definitely inspired me to consider this pathway when I complete my degree. I have more confidence as a result of this programme and I am extremely grateful to Fís an Phobail, the Irish deptartment in Queen’s and to the fantastic teachers we had throughout the course.”
An Irish-language course will be held later in the year as part of this collaborative scheme with Queen’s University. This course is tailored for people working in the Irish-language sector who are fluent speakers but who would like to perfect their communication skills and refine their grammatical accuracy. This ten week course starts in September and is open to anyone working in the Irish-language sector.
For more information:
Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin
07545293841
Dr. Síobhra Aiken
00353861559024
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.
The overall aim of the West Belfast Language Network (Fís an Phobail) 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.
