Conradh na Gaeilge President to deliver Donncha Mac Niallais Memorial Lecture at Féile Derry 2025

Newly elected President of Conradh na Gaeilge, Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, will visit Derry in August to deliver the Donncha Mac Niallais Memorial Lecture as part of the Féile 2025.

The event will take place in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin on Tuesday 12 August at 12.30pm.

Announcing the event, a Féile spokesperson said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the President of Conradh na Gaeilge, Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin, will deliver a lecture in memory of Donncha Mac Niallais during Féile 2025.

“It’s the first time that Ciarán will speak in Derry since becoming President of the island’s leading Irish language organisation, and we’re excited to welcome him to the city to remember Donncha and look at the future of the language across Ireland.

“Ciarán will also outline the current challenges facing Conradh na Gaeilge and the wider Irish language community in Ireland, north and south.

“Donncha Mac Niallais was a key figure in spearheading the growth of the Irish language, so this is a special moment - especially with the event taking place in Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, a space he helped bring to life.

“It’s an exciting time as the language continues to thrive in the city, we’re seeing huge growth in the number of adults learning the language, while our local Gaelscoileanna are experiencing unprecedented demand for places.

“This growth is thanks in no small part to the work Donncha, along with others, put in over many years, playing a central role in building the Irish language movement in the city.

“As well as being a keen Gaeilgeoir, he was a community leader and someone who worked hard to bring people together. Through events like this, we want to keep his memory alive and have positive and constructive discussions on the future.

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"This is an Irish language event that is open to every, and will include simultaneous translation into English for those who may need it. (DOES THIS READ OK??? Want to ensure people know this)

Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin is a long-standing activist for the Irish language and language rights. Originally from west Belfast, he has worked with Conradh na Gaeilge for almost two decades and played a leading role with Dream Dearg in the campaign for Acht Gaeilge and the North’s first ever Irish language legislation.

His recent election as President of Conradh na Gaeilge marks a new chapter for the movement and comes 30 years after the late Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, another towering figure in the language community, became the last Belfast native to hold the post.

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Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge chun Léacht Cuimhneacháin Dhonncha Mhic Niallais a thabhairt ag Féile 2025

Beidh Uachtarán nua-tofa Chonradh na Gaeilge, Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin i nDoire i Mí Lúnasa chun Léacht Cuimhneacháin Dhonncha Mhic Niallais a thabhairt le linn Féile 2025.

Beidh an imeacht i gCultúrlann Uí Chanáin Dé Máirt 12 Lúnasa ar 12.30in.

Ag fógairt na himeachta dúirt urlabhraí ar son na Féile: “Tá an-áthas orainn go tabharfaidh Uachtarán Chonradh na Gaeilge léacht i gcuimhne Dhonncha Mhic Niallais le linn Féile 2025.

“Is í an chéaduair a labharfaidh Ciarán i nDoire ó toghadh mar Uachtarán é ar an eagras Gaeilge is mó ar an oileán. Tá muid ag dúil go mór le fáilte a chur roimhe chuig an chathair le Donncha a chuimhniú agus le hamharc chun tosaigh ar thodhchaí na teanga ar fud na hÉireann.

“Beidh Ciarán ag cur síos ar na dúshláin atá ag Chonradh na Gaeilge agus ag pobal na Gaeilge ó thuaidh agus ó dheas i láthair na huaire.

“Bhí Donncha Mac Niallais chun tosaigh i gcur chun cinn agus i bhfás na Gaeilge, mar sin is am speisialta é seo – go mór mór le himeacht i gCultúrlann Uí Chanáin, spás a chuidigh sé lena chruthú.

“Am iontach atá ann le forbairt na teanga sa chathair ag dul ó neart go neart. Tá fás mór i líon na ndaoine fásta atá ag foghlaim Gaeilge agus tá éileamh nach bhfacthas riamh roimhe d’áiteanna sna Gaelscoileanna áitiúla.

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“Tá an fhorbairt seo a bhuíoch a bheag is a mhór d’obair Dhonncha agus daoine eile, ag imirt ról lárnach i dtógáil ghluaiseacht na Gaeilge sa chathair.

“Gaeilgeoir agus ceannaire pobail ab ea é a d’oibrigh go crua le daoine a thabhairt le chéile. Trí imeachtaí mar seo, ba mhian linne a chuimhne a choinneáil beo le hidirphlé dearfach ar an todhchaí.

“Is imeacht Gaeilge é seo atá oscailte do gach duine agus beidh áiseanna aistriúcháin chomhuainigh ar fáil dóibh atá siad de dhíth orthu.”

Is gníomhaí Gaeilge agus do chearta Gaeilgeoirí é Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin lá fada an lá. As Béal Feirste Thiar ó dhúchas, d’oibrigh sé beagnach fiche bliain le Conradh na Gaeilge agus d’imir sé ról lárnach leis an Dream Dearg san fheachtas d’Acht Gaeilge agus don chéad reachtaíocht Ghaeilge riamh ó thuaidh.

Tús nua do ghluaiseacht na Gaeilge a bhí ann nuair a toghadh mar Uachtarán an Chonartha é ar na mallaibh, 30 bliain i ndiaidh do Ghearóid Ó Cairealláin, fear mór eile i bpobal na Gaeilge, bheith ar an Fheirsteach deireanach ina Uachtarán.