Council hosts Irish Language Careers’ Fair for Fermanagh and Omagh Secondary Schools 

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council hosted an Irish Language careers day on Tuesday 1 February in Strule Arts Centre Omagh. The event was aimed at post 16 students from post primary schools across the district and was attended by more than 200 students. The aim of the event was to encourage young people to study Irish to exam level and to consider a career in the Irish language work sector. 

The event was officially opened by the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson. A series of guest speakers addressed the audience including local student Lauren Ní Ghairmaile from Belleek, Tomaí Ó Conghaile a translator in the European Commission in Brussels, Damien Ó Dónaill a sports commentator with Raidió na Gaeltachta and Doireann Nic Dhomhnaill an officer with the screen agency Northern Ireland Screen.  

Those present also heard from other speakers who outlined their roles in their respective organisations. These included Andy Caomhanach, Acadamh na hOllscoile, Gaoth Dobhair; Éamonn Ó Ciardha, Magee College, Derry; Seán Ó Murachadha, Conradh na Gaeilge; Ciarán Mag Uidhir, Pobal ar an Iúl; Liam Ó hÉidhin, Cumann na bhFiann and Pádraig Mac Congáil, Derry and Strabane District Council.  

Renowned Monaghan uileann piper Éamonn Corráin provided the entertainment for the event.  

D’fhreastail 200 scoláire ó cheithre scoil áitiúla ar Aonach Oibre in Ionad Ealaín na Sruthaile, An Ómaigh ar an 1 Feabhra. Aidhm an imeachta seo ná daoine óga a mhealladh i dtreo na Gaeilge agus tionchar a imirt ar a rogha ábhar do na scrúdaithe GCSE. Ba é Comhairle Fhear Manach agus na hÓmaí a d’eagraigh.  

Rinne deichniúr ionadaithe ó roinnt comhlacthaí Gaeilge éagsúla cur síos ar an obair a dhéanann siad in earnáil na Gaeilge ag an imeacht leis an sprioc sin a bhaint amach. I meac na n-aoichainteoirí a bhí páirteach ann bhí an scoláire áitiúil Lauren Ní Ghairmaile ó Bhéal Leice, Tomaí Ó Conghaile atá ina aistritheoir i gCoimisiún na hEorpa sa Bhruiséil, an tráchtaire spóirt ó Raidió na Gaeltachta Damien Ó Dónaill agus Doireann Nic Dhomhnaill atá ina hoifigeach leis an comhlacht Northern Ireland Screen.  

Labhair seisear ionadaithe eile fosta ar an mhéid a bhíonn ar siúl acu lena gcuid eagraíochtaí: Andy Caomhanach ó Acadamh na hOllscoile, Gaoth Dobhair; Eamonn Ó Ciardha, Coláiste Mhig Aoidh, Doire; Ciarán Mag Uidhir ó Phobal ar an Iúl, An Ómaigh; Seán Ó Murachadha, Conradh na Gaeilge; Liam Ó hÉidhinn, Cumann na bhFiann agus Pádraig Ó Congáil, Comhairle Chathair Dhoire agus an tSratha Báin.  

Cathaoirleach na Comhairle an Comhairle Erroll Thompson a chuir tús leis an imeacht agus ba é an píobaire uileann ó Mhuineacháin Éamonn Ó Corráin a sheinn ceol ag an ócáid.