The Mac Donncha Scholarship was launched in memory of Joe Mac Donncha (1953-2016), a graduate of the university and a former chief executive and former chairperson of Foras na Gaeilge, who gave sterling service to the Irish language community. The scholarship was set up with funding from Foras na Gaeilge in 2017. Two scholarships will be awarded this year worth €6,015 each.
Foras na Gaeilge Chairperson, Pól Ó Gallchóir, launched the new English-Irish Dictionary app which is being made available free of charge as part of Bliain na Gaeilge 2018. There are nearly 50,000 entries, 140,000 meanings and 3.5 million English and Irish words in the dictionary now – which is more than most of the major bilingual dictionaries available internationally. All this material, as well as grammar files and sound files, are available in the app.
Foras na Gaeilge Chairperson, Pól Ó Gallchóir, said, “It is very important that our dictionaries are available on the most modern media and platforms. 1.7 million users per year are visiting the focloir.ie site from everywhere in the world, and we hope that there will be a large demand for the app now it is available free. With this version Foras na Gaeilge wants the new dictionary to be in the pocket of every school pupil and every university student.”
Certificates were presented to some of the 15 accredited English-Irish translators who succeeded in the Seal of Accreditation for Translators examination in 2017. The Seal of Accreditation for Translators is a strong accreditation system, which includes the complexity of the different dialects, modern and technical jargon, and official prose and communication. The highest standards are therefore ensured in the translation industry and the reputation of able translators is protected, and this accreditation system has a central role in the continuous development of the language. The Translation and Interpretation Unit in the University of Ireland, Galway, ran the latest examination for the Accreditation Seal on behalf of Foras na Gaeilge.
