Líofa reaches milestone of 1,000 signatures

The Líofa campaign, to encourage fluency in the Irish language, has exceeded its target of 1,000 signatures.
~ Monday, 19 December 2011

Language Minister Carál Ní Chulín announced the milestone today – 15 weeks after the campaign was launched. The Minister said: “The Líofa project’s initial target was to encourage 1,000 people from all walks of life across the North to sign up to becoming fluent in Irish by 2015. The fact that we have exceeded our target in less than four months is a great milestone and demonstrates that Irish is indeed a shared language that can be enjoyed by everyone.

"Well done to everyone who has signed on to become fluent by 2015.

“I am also taking part in this journey, as I have personally committed to achieving my gold Fáinne and becoming fluent by 2015. Like most people, I sometimes find it difficult to find the time to fit in my lessons. However the benefits of perseverance are beginning to pay off – an experience which I hope is being shared by others who have signed up to the challenge.

“I plan to build on the initial success of the Líofa campaign. I have travelled across the North of Ireland and have spoken to many stakeholders on the campaign. In urban and rural areas – the Irish language is being enjoyed by a wide range of people, young and old, in libraries, community centres, sports centres and homes. I have been impressed by the energy and commitment of these people and I want to offer them more opportunities to engage in the joy of Irish and to support them in making links.

“In the coming months I will be enhancing the Líofa campaign with a view to supporting even more people, from all backgrounds, to engage in this exciting initiative.”

Notes to editors:

1. To sign up to Líofa, log on to the DCAL website.
2. For media enquiries please contact DCAL Communications Office 028 9051 5048. Out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.