A new initiative launched by the Minister of State for the Gaeltacht will see migrants arriving in Ireland being taught the Irish language in order to help them ‘settle in’ to their new home.
Migrants arriving in Ireland will be taught the Irish language in order to help them foster a ‘sense of identity’ in their new home.
The exciting new initiative was brought forth by Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, in Dublin last week. The so-called Céad Míle Fáilte scheme will provide new arrivals with language classes and workshops that will help them learn and use the Irish language.
The scheme will not only help migrants foster a greater sense of Irish identity, but will also help promote the use of the Irish language across the island.
Encouraging communities to learn and use the Irish language – developing a sense of Irish identity
Conradh na Gaeilge, the organisation leading the campaign, explained that it hopes to “encourage new Irish communities to learn and to use the Irish language in order to develop a greater sense of Irish identity for themselves”.
Aiming to reach more than 2,000 people, the initiative will help new residents foster a greater sense of Irish identity, allowing them the opportunity to soak up a deeper sense of Irish culture.
Through various language classes and workshops, organisers hope to welcome over 700 ongoing participants on the course by 2025, with a further 1,300 taking part in one-off workshops and events organised as part of the scheme.
The language is a central part of Irish culture – soaking up life on the island
Speaking at the launch of the scheme in Dublin, Minister Byrne said, “I’m delighted that my department is in a position to support Conradh na Gaeilge with this worthy project.
“When people come to live in Ireland, the focus is generally on learning English and this initiative shows to new arrivals to Ireland how central the Irish language is to our culture and identity.
“Céad Míle Fáilte will be given to new Irish people to strengthen their sense of Irish identity.”
A great way to welcome new arrivals on the island, while strengthening Ireland’s unique cultural identity, it’s exciting to see that migrants will soon be taught the Irish language to help foster their sense of identity as Irish residents.
Giving communities the chance to integrate – a warm Irish welcome
Packing up your life and moving to a new country can be pretty daunting, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the culture or can’t speak the language.
So, this new initiative that will teach migrants the Irish language will go a long way in helping them foster a sense of identity on the island, allowing them the chance to integrate into the community on a deeper level.
Paula Melvin, Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge, explained, “This will provide opportunities to the marginalised for integration into society, and the Irish-speaking community and Conradh na Gaeilge bid them a Céad Míle Fáilte”.
