Pupils in Gaeilge, Irish language, schools top 7,000 for first time in Northern Ireland

The number of young people being educated through Irish has passed 7,000 for the first time. Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) said new figures highlighted the significant growth that the Irish-medium sector was experiencing. The council said local committees and activists deserved huge praise for their commitment to ensuring Irish-medium education was available in every county in the north.

Fifty years after the establishment of the first bunscoil, CnaG said demand was higher than ever and would increase further.

It said one of the most recent success stories was that of Gaelscoil Aodha Rua in Dungannon. Founded in 2011 with just 12 pupils and two staff, it now provides Irish-language education to 143 children and employs almost 20 people. Principal Móna Uí Dhochartaigh said the school was at the heart of a vibrant revival of all aspects of Gaelic culture in the area. "The cornerstone of our school is the partnerships formed with the local GAA clubs, both hurling and football, the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and indeed with the other Gaelscoileanna in the Mid-Ulster area," she said.

"Our pupils are immersed in the Irish language, in Gaelic sports, in traditional Irish music and song and we encourage them to develop all their individual talents. This culturally rich ethos is embodied in our school motto which states that Irish-medium education provides `a precious link with our heritage and a valuable asset for our future'."

A huge crowd demonstrates in defense of the Breton language

The joint call of the three Breton education networks (Diwan, Div Yezh and Divaskell), supported by Kevre Breizh, Kelennomp! and Sonerion gathered about 5,000 Bretons. This is one of the most important mobilizations in defense of the Breton language. And that’s all the organizers will remember. A crowd invaded Saint-Corentin Square in Kemper (Finisterre) this Saturday afternoon, March 13, 2021, to defend the languages of Brittany: Breton and Gallo. 

The 10 proposals of Diwan, Div Yezh Breizh, Divaskell, Kelennomp and Kevre Breizh.

Cornish couple discriminated against over wedding language

 Steph Norman and Aaron Willoughby have been told they must have their wedding ceremony in English first. Steph Norman and Aaron Willoughby were told by Cornwall Council their ceremony must be in English and Cornish. The council said "declaratory and contracting words" can only be said in English or Welsh for a legally binding marriage. Ms Norman said "I feel if everyone understands the language, it should be up to them what language they speak". The couple contacted the council as part of their search for a registrar who speaks Cornish, when they were told their plans for the ceremony were not legal. Ms Norman, 32, from St Anne near St Day, then researched the Marriage Act 1949 and found an exception only applied to Welsh speakers.

She said: "If you fluently speak Welsh then that's perfectly legal, but not Cornish. "It feels like we've been a bit discriminated against, because it's not equal across the board."