About us
For the first time ever, areas outside of the Gaeltacht regions have been awarded official language planning status as areas of specific linguistic importance.
In 2018, Foras na Gaeilge awarded specific status to ‘Irish Language Network Areas’ and West Belfast was one of only 5 areas chosen across Ireland.
Funding was made available to develop a language plan for the area in 2018 and since then that plan has been approved by Foras na Gaeilge and given official status by the Irish Government. In September 2022, a language planning co-ordinator was appointed to oversee implementation of that plan over the next 7 years.
The overall aim of the West Belfast Language Network (Fís an Phobail) is to support the development of a critical mass of speakers to foster and strengthen a sustainable language community in the years ahead.
The official recognition for this network provides national status for our work and the additional resources that accompany the project provides the space with which to implement an ambitious plan which recognises and assesses existing provision and develops an action plan to strengthen and expand on them in the years ahead.
About West Belfast
In an area no bigger than 3 square miles we have:
- 5 Irish-medium primary schools;
- 6 IM nursery providers;
- The biggest post-primary IM school anywhere in Ireland, Coláiste Feirste;
- Spórtlann na hÉireann;
- 3 youth clubs and the regional IM youth body, Fóram na nÓg;
- 2 IM community orgs supported through Foras na Gaeilge’s Language in the Community Scheme (Glór na Móna and Ionad Uibh Eachach);
- Two childcare providers, Ionad Uibh Eachach and Teach Mamó;
- An IM Cultural and Arts Centre, Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich;
- A full-time community radio station, Raidió Fáilte;
- A professional theatre company, Aisling Ghéar;
- An Irish language GAA club, Laochra Loch Lao CLG;
- A community learning and social hub, Cumann Chluain Árd;
- A training and vocational education company, Gaelchúrsaí;
- A Business Agency driving the Gaeltacht Quarter development, Forbairt Feirste;
- Iontaobhas na Gaelscolaíochta;
- Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta;
- The national advocacy body, Conradh na Gaeilge;
- St Marys University College, the only third level teacher training provider for IM schools;
- A myriad of smaller sporting, heritage and community projects.
The census results of 2020 proved what we have felt for many years, that West Belfast is at the heart of the modern Irish language revival.
Cé muid?
Ciarán Mac Giolla Bhéin
Language Planning Coordinator
Fís an Phobail are tasked with overseeing and implementing a Language Plan for West Belfast. The seven year language plan has the overall aim of increasing the amount of daily speakers of Irish and to increase the number of opportunities to use Irish in the west Belfast language planning network area. The language planning coordinator has ultimate responsibility to implement the core elements of the language plan, through cooperation with organisations in the area and through the development of new projects to meet local demand.
Damien MacAilín
Community and Games Development Manager (Laochra Loch Lao)
I am responsible for the management and coordination of the Development Plan for Laochra Loch Lao GAA Club in all aspects of the club. Particular emphasis is placed on the club’s development in relation to team affairs, especially within the youth section, focusing on recruitment, coaching, and skills development.
I am also responsible for raising awareness of the club among the city’s Irish-medium schools and for fostering positive relationships with relevant partners, for the benefit of the club, Gaelic games, and the overall promotion of the Irish language.
Among the main duties are:
- providing high-quality GAA opportunities for children within the Irish-medium education system, and
- developing and delivering appropriate training for the club’s coaches.
This approach fully aligns with the GAA’s National Club Development Plan.
Bríd Nig Aoidh
Community Outreach Officer
I am Laochra Loch Lao' Community Outreach Officer. Laochra Loch Lao is an Irish-speaking GAA club, situated in West Belfast. My main job is to help develop the club, off the pitch, and to build the community that it has around it.
From day to day, I work closely with my colleague, Damien McCallin, and we work togther to organise schedules for the teams, as well as running camps and matches for the youth club. As part of my own work, I am responsible for the publicity of the club on social media, as well as organising community events.
Co-operation with other Irish language organisations, such as Fís an Phobail and Glór na Móna, in the city is another aspect of my work. We regularly meet up to organise events for the Irish language community in Belfast.
Pádraig Fhia Ó Mathúna
Oifigeach Inniúlachta
Pádraig Fhia Ó Mathúna is Capacity Building Officer at Fís an Phobail. His primary responsibilities include developing capacity building, empowerment, and lifelong learning programmes (including an Mheitheal Mheantóireachta and the Cúrsa Cruinnis). He is also responsible for conducting comprehensive research in partnership with Queen's University and other groups to assess community needs, building partnerships with local and national organisations and schools, and providing ongoing support to the Irish-language community in West Belfast.
Sorcha Ní Chathmhaoil
Family Support Coordinator
The Family Support Co-ordinator is responsible for promoting and supporting families who are raising their children through Irish, directly contributing to the implementation of the local Language Plan.
This involves building meaningful connections with families, schools, and Irish language organisations in the area. Key responsibilities include coordinating projects such as Suí agus Scith, Scéim na Teaghlach, Am Scéalaíochta, an overnight family camp and four annual Family Fun Days.
The Co-ordinator works closely with the Language Planning Coordinator, the 'Ag Tógáil Clainne le Gaeilge' Steering Committee, and partners such as Laochra Loch LaoIonad Uibh Eachach, An Chultúrlann and others to effectively promote the family development programme.