Last week, the Fulacht Fia Chairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge took place in Builín Blasta in Ceardlann an Spidéil, where friends of the Irish language organisation gathered in the heart of the Galway Gaeltacht to celebrate our culture and say thanks...
The Fulacht Fia was kindly sponsored by Cairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge: Údarás na Gaeltachta, Stewart Construction, KD Autoparts and the ‘Customer Service’ category winners of Gradam Sheosaimh Uí Ógartaigh 2023, GoBus.ie. Míle buíochas dóibh ar fad.
It was the Fulacht Fia's first time to move outside of Galway city and it was a great success. During the event, Cairde Gaillimh le Gaeilge enjoyed strolling among the beautiful craft shops in the Ceardlann. The wonderful Emer Killian of Builín Blasta and her fantastic team served delicious food, (all as Gaeilge) the guests were entertained with excellent music by Mike Stewart and Maria Fahy and the rain held off for the event!
Bernadette Mullarkey, Cathaoirleach Ghaillimh le Gaeilge welcomed the new Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Eddie Hoare to the Cairde Fulacht Fia. The Deputy Mayor of Galway City, Cllr. Dónal Lyons was also in attendance as well as Cllr. Terry O’Flaherty, Cllr Frank Fahy and Cllr. Alan Cheevers. She also thanked all of the funding organisations who have supported Gaillimh le Gaeilge.
Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s main support comes from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht and Media through the National Lottery. They are also supported by Galway City Council and Cairde Ghaillimh le Gaeilge through the Galway Chamber. This support is essential for the organisation to maintain their various bilingual services and practical supports for those who wish to use the Irish language in their daily businesses and organisations in Ireland’s Bilingual City.
The Mayor of the City of Galway, Cllr. Eddie Hoare spoke at the event and said: “Tá an-áthas orm a bheith libh anseo tráthnóna inniu at my first Gaillimh le Gaeilge event as Méara Chathair na Gaillimhe. I look forward to attending Gaillimh le Gaeilge events during the year, as well as making good use of the cúpla focal. It’s wonderful to come out to Connemara and meet the businesses and organisations who are based here and operating as Gaeilge. Galway City is ‘fite fuaite’ or inextricably linked to the Gaeltacht, and we hope that this link will become even stronger with the implementation of Plean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe.”
The Cathaoirleach of Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Bernadette Mullarkey, announced four new members to the Board: Siubhán Nic Grianna (Bainisteoir Pleanála Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta), John Breslin, (Professor of Electronic Engineering, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) Pádraig Ó Beaglaoich (Leas-Phríomhfheidhmeannach, COGG) and Pádraig Lally (Owner, Tigh Taaffes).
She also thanked the stiúrthóirí who were standing down from the board this year and said:
“Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le ball bunaithe na heagraíochta agus stiúrthóir le Gaillimh le Gaeilge atá ag seasamh síos ón mBord i mbliana. Is é sin Aindriú D’Arcy; mo mhíle buíochas leat as do chuid ama agus as do chuid saineolais ar an mBord ó bunaíodh an eagraíocht siar in 1987. Tá ár mbuíochas tuillte do triúr Stiúrthóir eile atá ag éirí as i mbliana, agus is iad sin; Máire Mhic Aodha, Rúnaí Cuideachta na heagraíochta, Caitlín Nic an Ultaigh agus Maeve Joyce Crehan. Go raibh míle maith agaibh ar fad as bhur gcuid ama ar an mBord, as bhur gcomhairle agus as an treoir a thug sibh don eagraíocht ar mhaithe leis an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn.”
Gaillimh le Gaeilge would like to extend a ‘míle buíochas’ to all those that attended and would like to say a special ‘go raibh míle maith agaibh’ to the sponsors of the Fulacht Fia. Buíochas to all of the staff in Builín Blasta for their warm Céad Míle Fáilte.
The Fulacht Fia officially concludes Gaillimh le Gaeilge’s social/bilingual networking events until September and provides the organisation with an opportunity to say a ‘míle buíochas’ to all their ‘Cairde’ and to all those who have supported the organisation over the past year. The conversation group ‘Aon Scéal’ and Pop Up Gaeltacht will continue during the summer months, please keep an eye on social media for updates. On Friday 22nd September they will host their next bilingual networking event as part of ‘Oíche Chultúir’ celebrations.
Please remember, if you wish to use the Irish language in any part of your business or organisation, Gaillimh le Gaeilge is available to assist you FREE OF CHARGE. For more information contact eolas@gleg.ie or 091 568876.
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