Yearly budget of €80k made available for Irish language plan in Ennis

*Domhnall Ó Loinsigh, Mayor of Ennis Cllr Ann Norton (IND), Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers (FF), Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr PJ Ryan (IND) and Donal Ó hÁiniféin. Photograph: Eamon Ward

A yearly budget of €80,000 has been made available for the implementation of an Irish language plan in the town of Ennis over a seven year period.

Prepared by An Clár as Gaeilge Teo, the group will also be responsible for the implementation of the plan with Foras na Gaeilge to provide continuous assistance.

Minister of State for the Gaeltacht and Sport, Jack Chambers (FF) visited Ennis on Friday to launch the town’s language plan while he also stopped off at both Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg and Gaelcholáiste an Chláir to meet with staff members and pupils from both schools.

Speaking in Ennis, the Junior Minister described the launch of the Ennis Language Plan as an important day regarding “promoting the Irish language in the town. A lot of work has been undertaken and is still underway locally to boost the Irish language in Ennis and An Clár as Gaeilge Teo and everyone else involved in compiling the language plan for Ennis town are to be commended”.

He believed the Irish language “has a strong foundation as a language that is thriving and alive in the town. The implementation of the language plan that I am launching today will only add to that great work under the language planning process”.