Gaeilge Abú!

Bus services operating in west Belfast featuring both the English and Irish language on destination screens have been hailed a quiet success.

The signs have been in use on Metro bus services operating on the Falls Road - or Bothar na bhFal - since the spring.

There was a public consultation back in February when Translink asked people in west Belfast for their feedback on proposals to introduce the bilingual destination screens.

There are currently no Ulster-Scots or other alternative language destination screens, but Translink said that was something it would consider if there was demand.

A spokeswoman for the public transport provider said there was an overwhelmingly positive response from the public, and explained the costs involved were minimal.

The consultation entailed public notices, letters and direct engagement with key stakeholders, including community groups and Press releases.

“Bilingual destination screens using both English and Irish language were launched in spring 2011 following public consultation,” a Translink spokeswoman said. “The entire Translink Metro fleet of approximately 250 buses is equipped to provide bilingual signage and currently Metro Services 10 A-F operating along the Falls Road are using this facility.

“Where there is demand, we will consider any future requests from our passengers for bilingual signage to be displayed on bus destination screens.”

The introduction of the signs is in addition to bilingual passenger information on bus shelter timetables and route information that has been present for some time.

Current Translink bilingual publications include ‘See Belfast by Metro’ guide to the city’s main landmarks and attractions and a ‘Travelling with Translink: Guide to Using Public transport in Northern Ireland’ including bus and railway route maps.

For more information call 028 9066 6630 or visit www.trankslink.co.uk.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/passengers-onboard-with-belfast-bus-route-signs-in-irish-16097592.html#ixzz1iK8fWikq

FOOTBALLERS ON TWITTER rarely have the capacity to leave you sitting in stunned silence, jaw on the floor, staring in disbelief at the screen.

But that was pretty much what happened when former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore fired out a few quick messages last night — in Irish.

Collymore’s Irish followers were caught off guard when the TalkSport presenter tweeted a link to Sinead O’Connor’s 1992 single ‘Success Has Made a Failure of Our Home’ with the line “An t-éan beag is áille sa ghairdín” (“the most beautiful little bird in the garden).

Collymore’s perfect use of the superlative and correct deployment of that troublesome little séimhú did not go unnoticed, and he later explained that hours of Welsh language TV had given him an interest in the Celtic languages and inspired him to learn a “cúpla focal”.

“I haven’t got much Irish but at least I’m trying,” he tweeted as Gaeilge. “All started with Pobol y cwm(S4C) and a fascination with Cymreag/Alba/Irish & Kernow languages. So giving all a go in the next 40 years! Lol.”

A campaign to encourage 1,000 people to sign up to becoming fluent in Irish has passed its target only months after being launched.

Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin, who unveiled the cross-community scheme to promote the language in September, has now confirmed the project’s early success.

The sporting bodies for Gaelic games, football and rugby joined the minister at the Stormont launch of the plan to encourage 1,000 people to commit to becoming Liofa, or fluent, by 2015.

It emerged at the time that more than 100 police officers were among the first to sign-up to the project and the minister has announced that she has already passed her target.

“The Liofa project’s initial target was to encourage 1,000 people from all walks of life across the North to sign up to becoming fluent in Irish by 2015,” she told an event at the Culturlann Irish cultural centre in west Belfast.

“The fact that we have exceeded our target in less than four months is a great milestone and demonstrates that Irish is indeed a shared language that can be enjoyed by everyone.”

The project was separate from the continuing political debate over the provision of legislation to promote and protect the language, and was aimed at promoting enjoyment of the learning experience.

The minister congratulated all those who had signed up and confirmed that she is among those who are trying to extend their knowledge of Irish to become fluent over the next four years.

“I am also taking part in this journey, as I have personally committed to achieving my gold Fainne and becoming fluent by 2015,” she said.

“Like most people, I sometimes find it difficult to find the time to fit in my lessons. However the benefits of perseverance are beginning to pay off - an experience which I hope is being shared by others who have signed up to the challenge.”

Copyright © 2011 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

aonaran:

“Schools with one to four teachers with less than 86 pupils are to be reviewed, according to new guidelines from the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn. These schools are being asked to look at their amalgamation options also.

“This could mean that up to 90% of Gaeltacht schools could be amalgamated or closed. In the Gaeltacht areas that is 26 schools from 41 in Galway, 21 out of 24 in Mayo, in Donegal 31 from 42, in Waterford 2 from 3, 13 out of 14 in Kerry and three out of six in Cork. That is 96 0ut of 110 Gaeltacht schools in total”, according to Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh. ”