Irish language boost with funds of €150,000 for cultural centre

By Aideen O’Flaherty

PLANS to create an Irish language and cultural centre in Tallaght village have been boosted after securing €150,000 in Government funding.

Gaelphobal Thamhlachta will house a community café, a theatre and a bookshop that will cater to Irish speakers in the area, and those with an interest in Irish culture.

As reported in The Echo earlier this year, Gaelphobal Thamhlachta has already been granted planning permission by the council and are now in the process of securing funding for the development.

Welcoming the announcement, Colm Brophy, Fine Gael TD stated, ‘That he is delighted that to see this investment in our community, this centre is set to benefit not only those who are fluent Irish speakers, of which there are many in Tallaght but also those who are wishing to learn the language.

Brophy continued, by stating, This new resource will be of significant benefit to Gael Scoileanna in the area, of which there has been a rise in recent times

The decision to award the funding is in line with the 20-Year National Strategy for the Irish Language which aims to develop centres which foster the Irish language in large urban areas, with Gaelphobal Thamhlachta expecting to open its doors in February 2017.

The group was also recently nominated in the Tallaght Person of the Year awards in the arts and culture category.

For further information on the centre visit the Gaelphobal Thamhlachta Facebook page or www.gaelphobalthamhlachta.com