President of Oireachtas na Gaeilge 2012 Mícheál Mac Giolla Easbuic from Kilcar, Donegal pictured handing over the Presidency to Bláthnaid Ó Brádaigh at the inauguration ceremony in the Comhaltas headquarters in Dublin.
Mícheál had a successful year in charge – overseeing the highlight of the year when the Oireachtas came to Letterkenny.
Bláthnaid Ó Brádaigh was inaugurated as President of Oireachtas na Gaeilge 2013 in the Comhaltas headquarters in Monkstown in Dublin.
Bláthnaid who is originally from Glasnevin, now living in Glenageary, will represent Oireachtas na Gaeilge for the coming year. This inaugural ceremony kicks off the Oireachtas calendar of events for 2013, the highlight of the year being the Oireachtas na Samhna festival which will be held in Killarney this October.
Bláthnaid, who spent most of her working life as Secretary and Deputy Director of Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, developed her passion for Irish when she attended an all-Irish primary school on Marlborough St. in Dublin and later St. Louis’ all-Irish secondary school in Monaghan. She has been a very active member of the Oireachtas na Gaeilge committee since 1970 and acted as Chairperson of the National Committee from 2002-2004. She also acted as Chairperson of the Literary Committee for several years.
“I’m delighted and honored to assume the Presidency of this great national institution” said Bláthnaid as she accepted her chain of office. “Having been a long-term member of Oireachtas na Gaeilge, I’m very proud to be representing such a wonderful organization which is pivotal in promoting and preserving our native language and culture” she said.
The Oireachtas will host a very busy Calendar of Events again this year – amongst the events are the Gradaim Chumarsáide, which are the Irish language media awards that will take place in Galway in May and the Oireachtas Literary Awards which will take place in September.
“We’re delighted to have Bláthnaid on board as President for 2013” said Liam Ó Maolaodha, Director of Oireachtas na Gaeilge. “She’s been an integral member of Oireachtas na Gaeilge for years and has already made a major contribution to the Irish language sector and she is committed to being an ambassador for the Oireachtas in the coming year. We’re also delighted to be returning to Galway for the annual Oireachtas Irish-language media awards in May after the huge success there the past two years” he said.
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