Ulster GAA Oifigeach Gaeilge role profile

Ulster GAA Irish Language Officer, Tricia Ní Chearra tells us a little bit more about her role and the aspirations she has for the role over the coming year…

When did you start working with Ulster GAA and what department are you with?

I was appointed to the role in September 2018 as part of the Community Development Department. Our department focuses on a wide range of community-based issues and activities: health and wellbeing, club and volunteer development, community outreach and Irish and cultural affairs. The department received funding from Foras na Gaeilge for this post, a role deemed necessary in order to improve the provision of Irish for all clubs and members of the GAA across Ulster.

Cá huair a thosaigh tú le CLG Uladh agus an bhfuil tú ag obair le roinn ar leith?

Ceapadh i mí Mheán an Fhómhair 2018 mé mar chuid de Roinn Forbartha Pobail CLG Uladh. Tá ar an roinn seo tacaíocht a chur ar fáil dár mbaill i bhfoirmeacha éagsúla; bímid ag obair ar chúrsaí sláinte agus folláine, ar fhorbairt an chlub agus na n-oibrithe deonacha, chomh maith le dualgais na n-oifigeach a bhíonn ag obair le spórt san fhorbairt pobail. Tá Gaeilge agus cúrsaí cultúrtha anois faoinár gcúram fosta. Fuarthas maoiniú ó Fhoras na Gaeilge duine a cheapadh sa ról seo ó tharla go bhfaca CLG Uladh go raibh gá lena leithéid.

Tricia with members of the Community Development Department helping to launch the 2019 Volunteer Development Pathway

Tell us a little bit about your role with Ulster GAA.

My role focuses on Goal 7 of Ulster GAA’s Strategic Plan 2016-2020: the development and promotion of Irish language, activities and culture. We have already begun to see development in this goal with my appointment to the position of Oifigeach Gaeilge. Some of my duties include being the Servicing Officer for Coiste na Gaeilge agus na hOidhreachta, Coiste Scór Uladh and the Cúrsa de Faoite workgroup. These committees are invaluable additions to the promotion of language and culture in the province, and their hard work does not go unnoticed. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude to the out-going chairs of Coiste na Gaeilge agus Coiste Scór Uladh, Michael McArdle and Ailis McEntee, for their help and guidance throughout my first few months in post. I look forward to working with our new chairs, Jarlath Burns and Paula Magee.

Inis dúinn fá ról an Oifigigh Gaeilge le CLG Uladh:

Baineann an ról sé le cuspóir 7 de chuid Phlean Straitéiseach CLG Uladh: forbairt agus cur chun cinn na teanga, na n-imeachtaí agus an chultúir. Tá dul chun cinn le feiceáil cheana ó tharla gur cheap siad mé féin mar Oifigeach Gaeilge. Tá mé i m’oifigeach seirbhíse ar Choiste na Gaeilge agus na hOidhreachta, ar Choiste Scór Uladh, agus ar ghrúpa oibre Chúrsa de Faoite. Níl léamh ná scríobh ná hinsint béil ar thábhacht na gcoistí seo maidir le cur chun cinn na teanga agus an chultúir sa Chúige agus molaim a gcuid oibre. Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil le hiar-chathaoirleach Choiste na Gaeilge agus na hOidhreachta, Mícheál Mac Ardail, agus le hAilis Nic an tSaoi, iar-chathaoirleach Choiste Scór Uladh, as an chuidiú iontach a thug siad dom agus mé nua-cheaptha sa ról. Tá mé ag dúil go mór le bheith ag obair leis na cathaoirligh úra: Iarlaith Ó Broin agus Póilín Bean Mhic Aoidh.

Are there any initiatives you are currently working on that you are excited about?

I’m working on a few things at the moment – a pilot scheme called ‘An Cumann Gaelach’ is currently being developed, and I am hoping to find ten clubs across Ulster who would be happy to take part. The results of the club audit with regards to the status of Irish across Ulster are currently being assessed and collated, and I am working on a project which would provide better teaching resources to clubs in order to provide Irish for their members.

I view the relationship between Coiste Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, myself as provincial officer, the county cultural officers and the club officers to be the most important part of this role and the most urgent area of concern. I am working closely with Coiste na Gaeilge agus na hOidhreachta, and Coiste Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, on which I sit as Ulster representative, to ensure strong links of communication on all rungs of the ladder.

An bhfuil tú ag obair ar imeachtaí nó ar thionscadail ar leith a bhfuil tú ag dúil go mór leo?

Is iomaí rud atá ar bun agam i láthair na huaire. Tá scéim phíolótach faoi mo chúram dár teideal ‘An Cumann Gaelach’, agus tá mé ar lorg clubanna a mbeadh sásta páirt a ghlacadh ann. Tá muid ag amharc ar thorthaí iniúchadh na gclubanna maidir le stádas na Gaeilge sa Chúige, agus ar phlean teagaisc a chur le chéile mar acmhainn do chlubanna an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh.

Caithfidh gurb é an rud is tábhachtaí ná go bhfuil caidreamh láidir idir Coiste Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, mé féin mar Oifigeach an Chúige, Oifigeach Cultúrtha an Chontae agus Oifigeach an Chlub, agus tá mé féin ag obair le Coiste na Gaeilge agus na hOidhreachta agus le Coiste Náisiúnta na Gaeilge – tá mé ar an choiste sin mar ionadaí Uladh – ar na féidearthachtaí ansin maidir le cúrsaí cumarsáide ar dhréimire an chumainn a neartú.

Are there any events coming up for people who would be interested in helping promote the Irish Language?

On Saturday 23rd February, Ulster GAA supported a 7-a-side football blitz organised by Conradh na Gaeilge. This match showcased four Irish clubs who train and play their games through the medium of Irish. Two Ulster Clubs were involved: Laochra Loch Lao of Belfast, and Kileevan Sarsfields of Monaghan. We also have our Tráth na gCeist on March 1st, and our Scór Sinsir competitions are taking place throughout March.

However, the big focus at the moment is on Seachtain na Gaeilge 2019. Ulster GAA and the GAA at National Level will be promoting this event throughout the two weeks with daily social media posts, showcasing Gaeilgeoirí from across the province and their experience with the language. Those interested should keep an eye on Ulster GAA and National GAA social media channels for ideas on how to get involved!

Cad iad na rudaí atá ag teacht aníos maidir le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge agus cad iad na rudaí a mbeadh dúil ag daoine iontu?

Thacaigh CLG Uladh le comórtas peile trí mheán na Gaeilge (eagraithe ag Conradh na Gaeilge) ar an 23ú Feabhra i Muineachán. Bhí dhá chlub ó Chúige Uladh páirteach ann: Laochra Loch Lao, Béal Feirste agus Cill Laobhain, Muineachán. Beidh Tráth na gCeist Uladh againn ar 1ú Márta in Ard Mhacha, agus comórtais Scór Sinsir againn le linn mhí an Mhárta fosta.

Tá muid ag obair go crua ar fheachtas do Sheachtain na Gaeilge san am i láthair. Beidh postálacha ag dul amach ón CLG ag leibhéal náisiúnta agus ó CLG Uladh ar na meáin shóisialta fá Gaeilgeoirí an CLG agus an t-eispéireas atá acu leis an teanga, i measc rudaí eile. Coinnígí súil ar na leathanaigh Facebook, Twitter agus Instagram agus beidh smaointe forbartha ag dul suas le linn na féile!

Tricia speaks to Raidió Fáilte about the Irish Language Officer role with Ulster GAA