A local Donegal County Councillor has submitted a proposal to build better links between the Gaeltacht in Donegal and Scottish Gàidhealtachd to form stronger relationships between the two Gaelic languages.
West Donegal Councillor and avid Gaeltacht campaigner, Cllr Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig, said the proposal, which was submitted at a recent Donegal County Council’s Irish Language Committee meeting, is now under consideration with the committee.
Speaking to Donegal Daily, he said: “It was agreed as a council that we would work on this and make a connection with one of the (Scottish) islands to start with because our languages are very similar.
“There has been no particular island has been proposed at this stage, but Barra Island has been suggested in the past because there is some connection there already.
“This is to build cultural and meaningful relationships with other communities and the language which is very similar but not the same as our own.
“There has been a tradition of connections between Sean-nós singers and the islands and community in west Donegal.
“And I want to see that connection reestablished to learn and share experiences and, more importantly, that Gaeltacht communities, whether that be in Scotland or Donegal, are supporting each other and keeping the beautiful and ancient languages intact for the next generation.”