An Foras Teanga
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From: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
- Published on: 27 May 2020
- Last updated on: 3 March 2025
An Foras Teanga was established on the 2nd of December 1999, being one of six North/South Implementation Bodies established under the British-Irish Agreement Act 1999.
There are two Agencies that are part of An Foras Teanga, namely Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch (The Ulster-Scots Agency).
• Foras na Gaeilge succeeded Bord na Gaeilge and the main task of the Organisation is to promote the Irish language in all aspects of life throughout the island of Ireland, and
• Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch, or Ulster-Scots Agency's primary responsibility is to promote the Ulster-Scots language and culture within Northern Ireland and throughout the island of Ireland.
An Foras Teanga reports to the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) and to the Ministers in the Sponsoring Departments, i.e. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland.
Legislation
The British-Irish Agreement Act 1999 (No. 1 of 1999) is the statutory basis for Cross-Border Implementation Bodies, including An Foras Teanga. This primary legislation can be found at the following link along with subsequent primary and secondary legislation:https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/83844-legislation-an-foras-teanga/
Funding
Funding is provided to Foras na Gaeilge and Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland according to budgets approved by the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC).
Foras na Gaeilge is co-financed on a 75% basis from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and 25% from the DfC.
Tha Boord o Ulstèr Scotch is co-financed on a 25% basis from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and 75% from the DfC.
In addition, this Department provides further funding to Foras na Gaeilge for activities related to Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge and Clár Colmcille.
The role of Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge is to support reading, writing and publishing initiatives in Irish.
Colmcille is a tripartite initiative aimed at promoting Irish and Scots Gaelic. Following a NSMC decision in November 2014, Foras na Gaeilge will continue to promote Colmcille on the island of Ireland and Bòrd na Gàidhlig will continue to promote Colmcille in Scotland. A joint interagency working group will focus on strategic projects, funding priorities and other collaborative initiatives, as well as sharing best practice and creating sustainable connections for the community.
This Department's funding for An Foras Teanga is provided under Subsection C.9 of the Department's Vote and the gross provision available in 2025 is €18.248 million. Included in this provision is capital funding of €1,881,000 under the Shared Island Initiative.
Board
The board of An Foras Teanga comprises the boards of both Agencies. There are 16 members on the board of Foras na Gaeilge and 8 members on the board of Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch. These appointments are made by the NSMC on a 50:50 basis of North and South nominations. Details of the current board members are as follows:
| FORAS NA GAEILGE 16 Members | Period | |||||
| 8 nominations from the South, including the Chair | ||||||
| 8 nominations from Northern Ireland, including the Deputy-Chair | ||||||
| from | to | |||||
| Chair | Regina Uí Chollatáin | From the South | 05/05/2021 | 04/05/2025 | ||
| Deputy Chair | Vacancy | From the North | ||||
| Member | Vacancy | From the South | ||||
| Member | Vacancy | From the South | ||||
| Member | Vacancy | From the South | ||||
| Member | Vacancy | From the South | ||||
| Member | Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin | From the South | 5/05/2021 | 04/05/2025 | ||
| Member | Ian Doherty | From the North | 30/07/2021 | 29/07/2026 | ||
| Member | Mairéad Connolly | From the North | 13/12/2021 | 12/12/2026 | ||
| Member | Caoimhín Mac Giolla Mhéin | From the North | 16/12/2020 | 15/12/2025 | ||
| Member | Dominic Bradley | From the North | 16/12/2020 | 15/12/2025 | ||
| Member | Kevin O’Hara | From the North | 16/12/2020 | 15/12/2025 | ||
| Member | Liadh Ní Riada | From the North | 16/12/2020 | 15/12/2025 | ||
| Member | Gemma Ní Chionnaith | From the South | 13/09/2024 | 12/09/2028 | ||
| Member | Mairéad Ní Ghabháin | From the South | 13/09/2024 | 12/09/2028 | ||
| Member | Vacancy | From the North | ||||
| Ulster-Scots Agency 8 Members | Period | |||||
| 4 nominations from Northern Ireland, including the Chair | ||||||
| 4 nominations from Northern Ireland, including the Deputy-Chair | ||||||
| From | To | |||||
| Chair | Vacancy | From the North | ||||
| Deputy Chair | Freddie Kettyle | From the South | 05/05/2021 | 04/05/2025 | ||
| Member | Trevor Wilson | From the North | 13/12/2021 | 12/12/2026 | ||
| Member | Allen McAdam | From the South | 05/05/2021 | 04/05/2025 | ||
| Member | Karyn Devenney | From the South | 05/05/2021 | 04/05/2025 | ||
| Member | Lavinia Tilson | From the South | 05/05/2021 | 04/05/2025 | ||
| Member | Vacancy | From the North | ||||
| Member | Vacancy | From the North |
Contacts
| Foras na Gaeilge | |
| 63-66 Amiens Street | Westgate House |
| Dublin 1 | 2-4 Queen Street |
| Belfast BT1 6ED | |
| Phone: 01 6398400 | Phone: 028 (048) 9089 0970 |
| eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie | eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie |
| Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch | |
| Corn Exchange Building, | William Street, |
| 31 Gordon Street, | Raphoe, |
| Belfast, BT1 2LG | Co. Donegal |
| Phone: (028) 9023 1113 | Phone: +353 7 4917 3876 |
| info@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk | info@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk |
Further Information and Queries
Foras Teanga Division
Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
Na Forbacha
Galway
H91 KX39
Ireland
Phone: +353 91 503700
Email: foras.teanga@tcagsm.gov.ie