Irish-language newspaper launched

An Irish-language newspaper backed by the Irish and British governments was launched today.

Lá Nua will be produced from west Belfast and the Donegal Gaeltacht and published five days a week.

It will offer podcasts, an online version and entries on YouTube, a website offering home videos.

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuív said he was delighted with the innovative technology on offer.

“This shows the great progress being made by the Irish-language media and the understanding that Lá Nua has of the modern society in which Irish speakers live today.”

The title will be stocked in newsagents but copies will also be distributed to Irish-speaking offices across Dublin and the top 300 schools using the language.

A contract worth £400,000 (€609,100) was awarded for two years’ printing by language promotion agency Foras na Gaeilge, a cross-border body funded by both governments.

Lá Nua managing director Connla Lawlor said there were Irish Government plans for a 20-year development strategy for Irish and an Irish Language Act envisaged in the North.

The paper replaces the Andersonstown News Group’s daily Lá.