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Candidate for the position of Part-Time - Irish Language Officer

Image for Eibhlin NicCormaic

Eibhlin NicCormaic

I am running for Irish Language Officer this year because I am passionate about the language and language rights. Make sure you vote Eibhlín NicCormaic for Irish Language Officer in the upcoming elections. #VoteEibhlín Tá mé ag rith do ról mar Oifigeach Gaeilge i mbliana toisc go bhfuil mé paiseanta faoin teanga agus faoi chearta teanga. Déan cinnte do vóta a chaitheamh ar Eibhlín NicCormaic mar Oifigeach Gaeilge sna toghcháin. #VótáilEibhlín

  • Irish language is a language that belongs to all, but unfortunately it is often seen as a political or controversial language belonging only to a certain few. I intend to build on the foundations created by the first Oifigeach Gaeilge in changing people’s outlook on this language within the University. This can only happen by promoting and normalising the language.  I would promote and normalise the language by organising events (etc) which give the language visibility.

 

  • I will ensure the continuation of the bilingual signage campaign across queens and strive to make Queen’s a welcoming campus for Irish language speakers. Issues surrounding this range from the re-introduction of bilingual Queen’s branded stationary, to the creation of an Irish language hub within the SU, where all Gaeilgeoirí would feel at home and have a place to speak their language.

 

  • There is a large demand for Irish cultural events on campus and in the University. As Irish language Officer I would ensure to use my budget to run events around Queen’s, such as Pop-Up Gaeltachts, and work with the International Officer to encourage International Students to get a feel for Irish culture. As an active member of An Cumann Gaelach (one of Queen’s oldest societies) I would have a platform to organize these events.

 

  • As a student of Irish coming to Queen’s, I would have benefitted from a Gaeltacht accommodation area (accommodation where Gaeilgeoirí can live together through Irish). Gaeltacht accommodation areas are a popular concept on University campuses all around the country. Queen’s does not offer this to Irish language speakers. As Oifigeach Gaeilge I will fight for the genuine desire Irish language speaking students have to live with other Gaeilgeoirí. My ultimate goal is to bring in designated Gaeltacht areas in our students accommodation, such as in Elm’s BT9, BT1 and BT2.

 

  • In comparison with other Irish classes and courses across the country, the size of our classes are quite small. As Oifigeach Gaeilge I will work with secondary schools both local and not local, trying to entice students from all across the country to study Irish at Queen’s. Furthermore I will work to ensure that Irish is funded equally in comparison to other small subjects at Queen’s and ensure that no cuts come to the Department that harm both staff and students.

 

  • Most key books concerning the Irish language in the McClay library are only available within special collections. This is quite an inconvenience to those needing to use these books. As Officer I will ensure the library has a copy of all books concerning the Irish language available in both the short and long term loan sections.

 

  • Irish as a subject is often marginalised at Queen’s. There are many examples of this, one being the difference in opportunities for the language in course choices. Both Spanish and French offer combined pathways such as ‘Spanish and Law’ or ‘French and Business’ that is not offered when studying Irish. As Oifigeach Gaeilge I would fight for combined pathways such as ‘Law and Irish’ to be offered as Irish merits the same combined pathways as any other language at Queen’s.
Queen's Students' Union
Queen's Students' Union