The North / South Language Body Annual Report & Accounts 2009

StatusObjective: To raise the Status of the Irish LanguageThe Public SectorThe Official Languages Act 2003Foras na Gaeilge continued the pioneering and challenging work ofdeveloping new initiatives to support the public sector in implementing theOfficial Languages Act 2003 in co-operation with the Department of Arts,Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Údarás na Gaeltachta, an Coiste Téarmaíochta,the Translation Section, the Gúm, Fónamh, Focal.ie, Acmhainn.ie andNideog. Among the initiatives was the development of the system ofaccreditation for Translators, the development of resources and aids such astranslation memories, a helpline for the public sector, an online course fortranslators and training workshops to develop editing in co-operation withAistear. To date, training courses have been provided for more than 1,000translators since the system was implemented.There is an account of the practical aspects of most of this work in that partof this Report which discusses ‘Usage’ as it is practical work which concernsthe use of the Irish language and attention must be drawn to the importantstatus implications here to explain the importance of the work and to considerthe wider status context.The Arts – Drama CompaniesAisling GhéarAisling Ghéar is the only professional theatre company in Northern Irelandthat works full time to provide first class productions in Irish. During its 12year lifetime, 30 productions have been produced and taken on tour andthroughout the same period, the company has co-operated with eight authorsto bring eight original dramas to the stage.Since the company was set up in 1997, high quality works by dramatists asvaried as Samuel Beckett, Eoghan Ó Tuairisc, JM Synge, Brian Friel, DarioFo, Sean O’Casey, Willy Russell and Marie Jones, have been produced andtaken on tour.The production of Dave Duggan’s ‘Gruagairí’ is the latest example of thecompany’s commitment to newly written works. Dave Duggan was presentedwith the Irish Language Award at the Stewart Parker Awards.Aisling Ghéar’s continued aim is to increase accessibility to their work and toenhance the experience of the customer, and, to that end, in 2001, they madesignificant investment in simultaneous translation equipment. They are nowglad to be able to provide that service free of charge and by means ofpersonal head sets.2009 was a busy year for the company –3 Irish productions were developed, produced and taken on tour;There were 57 productions and 65% of all the tickets available sold;33 people were employed;A ticket sales service was set up on our website;A Facebook page was set up;Arrangements were made to attend the Milwaukee Irishfest;9