From Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
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Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Senator Seán Kyne announced today that a grant of €821,672 is being made available under the Irish Language Support Scheme for Irish Language Centres Outside the Gaeltacht for Coiste Tógála Áras Mhic Amhlaigh, Knocknacarra, Galway in order to construct an Irish language centre adjacent to Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh.
Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh is a newly constructed Irish language medium school located on the eastern side of the Knocknacarra area, west of Galway City, which can accommodate 720 children. The site is located outside the Gaeltacht but within the city environs recognised under the language planning process as constituting part of a Gaeltacht Service Town. Coláiste na Coiribe, an Irish-medium secondary school, is also located in this area.
Announcing the grant, the Minister of State said:
“Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, a school which started off in 1993 with 20 students, demonstrates the demand for Irish medium education in this area. It is vitally important that this demand from the public is built upon, and that other services are provided on a wider basis, not just for educational purposes. To this end, I am delighted that my Department’s is in a position to support Áras Mhic Amhlaigh, a new Irish language centre for the area which will be constructed on the school’s campus.
“The new centre will accommodate in the region of 70 preschool children and more that 200 children will be able to avail of pre/after school services through the medium of Irish, the only service of its kind in the area. The centre will also be available to support the development of the Irish language in the area in which the school and centre are located.
“In addition to this, the centre will provide employment for at least 15 people. This is in addition to the 35 people already employed in the Irish language medium school, all of whom are working to advance the Irish language in the area. There is no doubt that the project will be of great value in preserving and strengthening the Irish language in Galway City. The Irish language medium schools in the area are going from strength to strength and this type of centre is needed in order for the local community to be able to use the Irish language outside the classroom – which is vital if young people, in particular, are to feel like the Irish language is of relevance in their lives in general.
“I am confident that this new Centre will be a support to the language planning process and will be able to accommodate the community’s needs. I wish every success on those who use the centre.”
This is one of three capital projects which Minister of State Kyne has announced today, The other two projects are located in the Gaeltacht areas of Donegal and Mayo. These grants will boost the construction industry in these areas at a time when that industry is opening up again after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. These grants are approved in line with commitments set out in the Government’s 5-Year Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022.