The Future Of The Irish Language

Lightholler

The future of the Irish language and its contribution to Irish contemporary culture will be addressed at the 19th annual Douglas Hyde Conference (Comhdháil an Chraoibhín) in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon from October 20th-22nd 2006. The event titled ‘Many Streams, One Broad River’ will also examine the role played by Ireland’s new immigrants in recovering our cultural identity as well as the past, present and future role of Irish traditional music in the shaping of Irish contemporary culture.

Dr. Douglas Hyde (1860-1949) was the first President of Ireland and the founder of the Gaelic League, which aimed 'to keep the Irish language spoken in Ireland'. The County Roscommon-native began the process of recovering our national memory by encouraging research and discussion on all issues relating to Irish culture. The Douglas Hyde Conference, which was first held in 1988 and is hosted by Roscommon County Council, concentrates on Hyde’s recognition of culture at the heart of identity and the Irish language as a living language expressed through literature and folklore.

Participants in this year’s event include President of Ireland Mary McAleese, Dr. Patrick F. Wallace of the National Museum of Ireland, Sean Nós singer Iarla Ó Lionáird, uileann piper Peter Browne, Professor Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin of the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance formerly the Irish World Music Centre, and poet and dramatist Liam Ó Muirthile. Ó Muirthile - one of Ireland’s foremost writers in the Irish Language – will be joined by Professor Luci Tapahonso who is a poet and teacher of American Indian Literature at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Together they will reflect on what the future holds for minority languages, drawing on the struggles of the Navajo and Irish languages.

According to renowned poet and Conference Director, Theo Dorgan, “The music and debate on display at the Conference would be in keeping with the legacy of Douglas Hyde who transcended his class and background to be a true champion of the Irish language. This year’s conference will reflect his understanding of Irish as a living language and his own contribution towards it through poetry, prose and playwriting”.

The Arts Council member and broadcaster continued, “What makes this Conference unique is the fact that it brings together individuals with expertise in different areas to discuss relevant issues in 21st century Ireland. There are very few other platforms whereby architects can debate cultural issues with musicians, or poets examine Local Authority matters with county managers."

One such cross section of Irish society will be represented in a panel discussion at the Conference. Professor Mícheál O Súilleabháin, Liam Ó Muirthile, and renowned Irish architects Sheila O’Donnell and John Tuomey will address the social, cultural and environmental situation of Ireland today and the challenges and opportunities facing it. The audience will be asked to participate in the debate, which will also explore the role of the Irish language in influencing Irish culture and society. Indeed, Mr. Ó Súilleabháin will, in music and speech, similarly examine and illustrate the ways in which Irish music has had influence around the world and in its turn been influenced by music from many cultures.

Speaking ahead of the Douglas Hyde Conference 2006, Freda Nic Giolla Chatháin, Irish Language Officer with Roscommon County Council stated, “Douglas Hyde was a strong advocate of preserving Irish culture and adopting a progressive approach towards the Irish language. This aim of this Conference is to emulate his achievements by promoting the practice and appreciation of contemporary Irish language literature in a wider cultural context combining literature, music, heritage and cultural identity. I would urge anyone with an interest in the future of the Irish language to reserve their place at the Conference so they may contribute to a new appreciation and understanding of Irish culture.”

Dr. Patrick F. Wallace, Director of the National Museum will officially open the Dr. Douglas Hyde Conference 2006 on Friday October 20th. President McAleese will give her keynote address on the night of Saturday 21st. The Conference will be held in St. Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon on Friday and Saturday October 20th/21st while the final lecture by archaeologist Kieran O Conor will take place at the Douglas Hyde Interpretative Centre, Frenchpark on Sunday October 22nd 2006 before a field trip on the River Shannon aboard the MV Moon River exploring north Roscommon’s later medieval archaeology.