Irish cultural centre in Tallaght moves a step closer

By Mary Dennehy

THE creation of an Irish language centre is one step closer to becoming a reality, after South Dublin County Council granted permission for a cultural centre, café and bookshop on Main Street, Tallaght.

As reported in The Echo earlier this year, the revived Gaelphobal Thamhlachta purchased a building in Tallaght village with the vision of developing an ionad Gaeilge and Culturtha (an Irish language and cultural centre).

The planning application lodged with the council sought the demolition of a 15 sq m single storey area at the rear of the existing building and the construction of a new single-storey extension on the same footprint.

The application also asked for the change of use of the building from a commercial office and garage to a cultural centre, café and bookshop.

Pol Ó Meadhra, of Gaelphobal Thamhlachta, said: “The development of the building will be a big step in promoting and establishing Irish as an integral part of day-to-day life in Tallaght.

“It’s a great achievement for Tallaght to get its own ionad Gaeilge and Culturtha, there’s only something like eight of these centres nationwide, so it’s a very positive step for Tallaght and for the Irish language.”

Now that planning permission has been passed, Gaelphobal Thamhlachta is in the process of tendering out the work through the Government’s eTenders procurement site.

“Once we get a quote, we’ll be applying for funding from the Government,” Pol said.

“We did get some funding from the council, which we hope will help us to get started on the building before year’s end.”

Gaelphobal Thamlachta hopes to revive Cumann Gaelach Thamhlachta, which was very strong in Tallaght during the seventies and eighties – and will also link in with the well-established Áras Chronáin cultural centre in Clondalkin.

For further information on the centre, which will be run by volunteers, and other activities, visit the Gaelphobal Thamhlachta Facebook page or www.gaelphobal thamhlachta.com