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Líofa roadshow arrives in Armagh

The Culture Minister has brought the Líofa roadshow to Armagh. The roadshow coincided with the official opening of a new Irish Language shop in the city.
~ Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Líofa means fluent in Irish and is aimed at encouraging people from all walks of life across the North to sign up to be fluent in Irish. The Minister launched the initiative in September 2011 and currently 1,350 have taken up the Líofa challenge. This includes 300 people who signed up over the Christmas and New Year period as part of the Minister’s New Year resolution campaign.

Carál Ní Chuilín said: “I firmly believe that the Irish Language belongs to everyone and forms a vital part of our shared cultural heritage. The response to the Líofa campaign has been fantastic and I am personally greatly encouraged by the response to Líofa which is keeping me on track with my Irish language classes.

“Learning a language can be hard work. I want people who have signed up to stay on track with me, which is why I have asked my officials to consider how we can provide further assistance and encouragement to those engaged in the Liofa initiative.”

Commenting on the opening of the new Irish language shop and Cairde Offices, the Minister said: “Ventures like this one in Armagh City Shopping Centre, integrate Irish in the heart of the community. This is just the beginning of a three year plan for the development of the Irish and cultural issues in the city and I look forward to hearing how you will take all of this forward.”

Notes to editors:

  1. More information about the Líofa challenge including details of how to sign up is available from DCAL website http://www.dcalni.gov.uk.
  2. Those who sign up will be directed to a variety of Irish Language classes and other learning materials that are available in their locality. During the period between 2011 and 2015, those who have signed up will occasionally be contacted by the Department to see how their journey towards fluency is progressing.
  3. 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.