Ulster GAA, in conjunction with Foras na Gaeilge, have recently appointed the organisation's first Irish Language Officer.
Tricia Ní Chearra, a member of the Glenn John Martin’s club in county Down, has taken up a position within the Community Development Department of Ulster GAA.
Speaking about the new role, Head of the Community Development Department, Diarmaid Marsden said:
"We are delighted to welcome Tricia Ní Chearra as Irish Language Officer for Ulster GAA. A key focus of her role will be the promotion of Irish Language and culture, at grassroots level, across the counties and clubs in the province.
“We now have a provincial point of contact for advice on how to promote and grow the language, and we hope that over the next few years partnerships will be created between counties, clubs, local authorities, Irish Language organisations and the education sector."
Over the coming weeks Tricia’s main focus will be on Seachtain na Gaeilge 2019. Ulster GAA and the GAA at National Level will be promoting this event throughout the two weeks with daily social media posts, showcasing Gaeilgeoirí from across the province and their experience with the language.
Having conducted a club audit to ascertain the use of Irish in GAA Clubs across Ulster, Tricia is now working on a project ‘An Cumann Gaelach’ with the aim of providing better teaching resources to clubs in order to provide Irish for their members.
Cheap CLG Uladh an chéad Oifigeach Gaeilge de chuid na heagraíochta i gcomhpháirtíocht le Foras na Gaeilge in 2018. Is ball de CLG Sheáin Uí Mháirtín, An Gleann i gContae an Dúin í Tricia Ní Chearra, agus tá sí anois ag obair le Roinn Forbartha Pobail an Chumainn.
Dúirt ceann na Roinne, Diarmaid Ó Mairsdin, agus é ag caint ar an cheapachán:
‘Tá áthas orainn go bhfuil Tricia anois ag obair mar Oifigeach Gaeilge le CLG Uladh. Tá cur chun cinn na Gaeilge agus an chultúir ag croí an phoist seo, ag leibhéal an chontae agus ag leibhéal na gclubanna fud fad an Chúige.
‘Tá pointe teagmhála anois againn chun comhairle a chur ar fáil maidir le cur chun cinn agus forbairt na teanga, agus tá súil againn go gcruthófar comhfhiontar agus comhpháirtíocht idir na contaetha agus na clubanna, na húdaráis áitiúla agus na heagraíochtaí éagsúla san earnáil Gaeilge agus in earnáil an oideachais amach anseo.’
Beidh Tricia ag obair go crua ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge sna seachtainí atá amach romhainn. Beidh an CLG ag Leibhéal Náisiúnta agus CLG Uladh ag obair ar chur chinn na féile seo le linn Sheachtain na Gaeilge le postálacha ar na meáin shóisialta a léiríonn Gaeilgeoirí Uladh agus a dtaithí leis an teanga.
I ndiaidh do Chomhairle Uladh iniúchadh na gclubanna a dhéanamh, maidir le stádas úsáid na Gaeilge i gclubanna Uladh, tá Tricia anois ag obair ar thionscadal dar teideal 'An Cumann Gaelach,' agus tá sé de rún aici achmhainní a fheabhsú do chlubanna atá ag iarraidh an Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil dá mbaill.