POBAL: The Future of the Irish Language Act is in the Hands of the Community

On Saturday 11th October, 4,000 people took part in POBAL’s major Belfast city centre march in support of the Irish Language Act. The date was chosen because it marks 3 different key anniversaries: one year since DUP Minister Edwin Poots declared himself ‘unpersuaded’ of the need for an Irish Language Act; two years since the British government made its historic pledge in the St Andrews’ Agreement to enact the legislation; and, of course, 40 years since the first Civil Rights march from Queen’s University in south Belfast.

The lively, colourful march attracted support from all over the city and from Strabane, Newry, Armagh, Ballycastle, Castlewellan, Maghera and Derry. POBAL also received messages of support from America, Canada, Wales and England. Amongst those calling for an Irish Language Act on the march were Coláiste Speirín, the Cookstown-based Irish medium secondary school recently refused recognition and funding by Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane. Also prominent on the march was the banner calling for support for a daily Irish language newspaper. Foras na Gaeilge, the Language Board, has recently announced that it will no longer support a daily newspaper and will cease funding Lá Nua, which has been produced on a shoe-string budget continuously for over 20 years.

Janet Muller, CEO of POBAL, said, ‘POBAL has had fantastic support today, particularly from Cumann Cultúrtha Mhic Reachtain in the north of the city, from An Droichead in the south of the city and from Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich in the west who all did great work for the feeder marches. Gathered here we have Irish speaking people from all over the country and from all walks of life, teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, students and entire families have given a massive, positive and fun-filled response to the negativity and posturing of the British government and the political parties on the issue of equality for the Irish language on these islands. Irish Language legislation remains a missing piece of the puzzle in the work ahead in building a new society here. Yet, Language Acts are taken for granted for Welsh in Wales, for Gaelic in Scotland and for Irish in the south.’

She went on, ‘Irish speakers feel angry and let down by the events of the past two years, but we know that our future is in our own hands. We are entitled to action not words from the politicians. Local parties must also deliver on their commitments to the Irish speaking community and their duty to protect and promote the Irish language. We are entitled to recognition by the British government and unionists that the Irish language is every bit as valid and valued as Welsh in Wales and Gaelic in Scotland. We want the Irish government to challenge the broken promise on the Irish Language Act.’