For the first time ever communities outside Gaeltacht areas who support the daily use of the Irish language will be able to apply for official national recognition as an Irish Language Network ("Líonra Gaeilge"). At Croke Park today (Feb 22) five communities who have been selected to make their application for such status were announced. Also launched was "Gaeilge le chéile", a publicity campaign to promote using Irish in the community, Pictured are, from left: Sara Nic Conmara, representing Ennis community, Co Clare; Pádraigh Ó Tiarnaigh, Belfast; Seán Ó Coinn, CEO, Foras na Gaeilge Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Joe McHugh; Joe O'Doherty, Carntogher, Co Derry; Brian Ó Gaibhín, Clondalkin, Co Dublin and Eoghan Mac Cormaic representing Loughrea, Co Galway Pic: Seán Ó Mainnín

(SEE PRESS STATEMENT FORAS na GAEILGE)

Don chéad uair riamh bronnfar stádas oifigiúil náisiúnta "Líonra na Gaeilge" ar phobail taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht a thacaíonn le húsáid laethúil na Gaeilge. Ag ócáid i bPáirc an Chrócaigh inniu (Feabhra 22) fógraíodh na pobail a roghnaíodh chun iarratas a chur isteach le haghaidh an stádais sin. Bronnfar an t-aitheantas tar éis plean Gaeilge a bheith comhaontaithe ag an Roinn Cultúir, OIdhreacht agus Gaeltachta agus ag Foras na Gaeilge. Seoladh feachtas "Gaeilge le chéile" chomh maith chun úsáid na Gaeilge sa phobal a spreagadh. Sa phictiúr ó chle tá Sara Nic Conmara, pobal Inis, Co an Chláir; Pádraigh Ó Tiarnaigh, (pobal Bhéal Feirste; Príomhfheidhmeannach Fhoras na Gaeilge Seán Ó Coinn; An tAire Cultúir Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, Joe McHugh; Joe O'Doherty, pobal Charn Tóchair, Co Dhoire; Brian Ó Gaibhín, pobal Chluain Dolcáin, Baile Átha Cliath agus Eoghan Mac Cormaic, pobal Bhaile Locha Riach, Co na Gaillimhe. Pic: Seán Ó Mainnín