An Clochán Gaeltacht Service Town Language Plan officially launched
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From: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
- Published on: 29 July 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
An Clochán Gaeltacht Service Town Language Plan officially launched
The Language Plan for the Gaeltacht Service Town of An Clochán in Connemara was officially launched in County Galway today, 29 July 2024.
The plan will be implemented by Forum Connemara as the designated lead organisation for An Clochán. The preparation of the plan began in October 2021 and contains 36 measures to promote the Irish language in the An Clochán area.
Gaeltacht Service Towns play a significant role in the provision of public services and recreational, social and commercial facilities for the public in the language planning areas they serve. As a result, these towns have a significant and positive impact on the status of Irish as a community and family language in Gaeltacht areas.
In welcoming the publication of the plan, Minister of State Thomas Byrne said:
"I would like to congratulate Forum Connemara - the lead organisation for the An Clochán Gaeltacht Service Town - and all those involved in putting together the language plan for An Clochán. The language plan will give the community of the area an opportunity to be central in the efforts to strengthen the use of the Irish language in the town and its surrounding Gaeltacht areas."
An Clochán Gaeltacht Service Town is the ninth Gaeltacht Service Town for which a language plan has been approved.
Up to €96,000 will be provided annually for a period of 7 years to Forum Connemara to hire a Language Planning Officer and implement the plan.
Notes for the Editor
• Of the 16 Gaeltacht Service Towns that have been identified under the Language Planning Process, two of them are located in County Galway - An Clochán and Cathair na Gaillimhe.
• An Clochán is located approximately 80 kilometers north-west of Galway City. It serves as the main urban centre for the Connemara area and the surrounding rural hinterland in the west of the county.
• Language plans have now been implemented in 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas. Two of these, Conamara Láir and Dúiche Sheoigheach agus Tuar Mhic Éadaigh are close to the Gaeltacht Service Town of An Clochán.
Foras na Gaeilge is responsible for assisting Forum Connemara to implement the language plan – similar to the the other Gaeltacht Service Towns not located within the Gaeltacht. Údarás na Gaeltachta is responsible for assisting Gaeltacht Service Towns located within the Gaeltacht.