Modern marketing tools must be used to promote Irish language

LAST year Fine Gael called for the official Irish language movement to be audited.

To his credit, Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon Ó Cuív has restructured the movement somewhat.

He has moved the Glór na nGael organisation to the heart of the Ráth Cairn Gaeltacht in Co Meath and he plans to convert the offices of Conradh na Gaeilge in Dublin into a new cultural centre.

But questions remain over the ability of the State body Foras na Gaeilge to market the language properly.

Recently they set up a €3.6 million fund to help Irish language groups promote the language locally.

How many people realistically expect this money to be spent?

There are at best a handful of groups promoting the language locally in the Republic.

Would it not have been better for Foras na Gaeilge to spend most of this money now on a marketing campaign to promote the language nationally?

I know that many Irish speakers are appalled by the ineffectiveness of the official Irish language movement to promote the first official language of the State. With the notable exceptions of Gael-Taca (Corcaigh), Gaillimh Le Gaeilge and Forbairt Feirste, the Irish language movement does not use the most modern marketing techniques.

Some will always complain about a lack of funds, but until all of the interested organisations can demonstrate their commitment to modern marketing techniques, they cannot expect to be taken seriously.

Darren Mac an Phríora

Corrán Chaisleán Cnucha

Caisleán Cnucha

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