A Donegal gaeltacht area has become the first region in Ireland to appoint an Irish Language planning Officer.
Micheal Mac Aoidh was unveiled on Tuesday as the Irish Language Planning Officer for the Cloughaneely region by Coiste Pleanála Teanga Cloich Cheann Fhaola at a special event in Falcarragh.
Mr. Mac Aoidh was appointed under the Language Planning Scheme, which has been set up to halt the decline in the Irish language in the Gaeltacht and to increase its usage, status and visibility.
Language plans will be implemented in 26 different language-planning regions throughout the Gaeltacht regions.
Micheal, who is originally from Galway city, but whose father was from a well-known family in Marble Hill, Port na Blagh is a graduate of NUIG and spent the last 10 years working with Údarás na Gaeltachta as the Arts Officer for the Donegal Gaeltacht.
Prior to that, Micheal worked across the television and arts industries in a variety of administrative, management and advisory roles, including a period as Head of Stage Management with TG4´s flagship drama, Ros na Rún.
Mr. MacAoidh also spent two years working with a publishing company in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has also published a play as Gaeilge and is well regarded in Irish language theatre circles. Mr. Mac Aoidh is married to a Brazilian national, Ines Quintanilha and they live with their son, Frederico in Crolly.
In his role as language planning officer, Mr. Mac Aoidh will be tasked with implementing Cloughaneely´s Irish Language plan and with encouraging new language based enterprises and activities.
The area under his responsibility covers Falcarragh, Gort an Choirce, Dunlewy, Magheroarty and outlying areas. To assist theCoiste Pleanála Teanga Cloich Cheann Fhaola, the organisation responsible for implementing the plan, an allocation of €100,000 has been provided by Minister McHugh´s department over a 12 month period. Údarás na Gaeltachta are the agency responsible for ensuring the language planning process is implemented.
Speaking at Tuesday´s announcement, Mr Mac Aoidh said: “I am delighted to be taking up this new and exciting opportunity. Although, the language planning process will be complicated and challenging, I believe the ingredients are in place for Cloughaneely to succeed. Cloughaneely´s language planning committee is very strong, proactive and energetic. A strong community spirit exists in the area and there is great pride in the language and culture. Furthermore, the people of Cloughaneely recognise the opportunities the language presents. This pride and spirit can help us achieve the goals set out in the plan.”
Mr Mac Aoidh will officially take up his new post at the end of August.
