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Concern summer Gaeltacht courses could be called off

Concern is growing that traditional Donegal Gaeltacht Irish language courses will be called off.
Concern is growing that traditional Donegal Gaeltacht Irish language courses will be called off. Concern is growing that traditional Donegal Gaeltacht Irish language courses will be called off.

THERE are growing fears that summer Irish language courses in the Donegal Gaeltacht will be cancelled after Easter courses were called off because of coronavirus.

A summer spent in the Gaeltacht, spending time with Irish speaking families, is a traditional rite of passage for countless teenagers studying the language at school.

Every years thousands of young people from across Northern Ireland spend between two and three weeks in the area, practising their language skills.

While hugely popular with Irish language students, the courses are also crucial to the economy of west Donegal and often provide the main source of income for families hosting the students.

However, following the Covid-19 pandemic, Easter courses have already been cancelled and the main summer programme is also expected to be called off.

West Donegal independent politician, Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said it was important that the Irish government stepped in to help families struggling through the loss of income.

“Certainly in relation to the summer, there’s a huge dependency on that income from Maghareroarty to Gweedore, right out to Arranmore to Rann na Feirste, to Loughanure and Annagry," he said.

“I think that the state should do the right thing....it looks like there will be a gap this year.”

The independent councillor said it was important that those who ensured Irish was being nurtured in the Gaeltacht and spread throughout Ireland were supported.

“This would be a massive low to the language itself, never mind the financial blow to the mná tithe,” he said.