New York Group Wins Irish Language Award

New York based Daltaí na Gaeilge has won Glór na nGael's Global Gaeilge award for its work in promoting the Irish language.

Representatives of Daltaí na Gaeilge traveled to Ireland to attend a special awards ceremony in Ennis, County Clare last Saturday.

The award of €6,500 was presented by Cathal Goan, Director General of the Irish public broadcaster, RTÉ.

Congratulating the New York group, Glór na nGael manager, Nóra Welby said: "The work carried by Daltaí na Gaeilge is impressive and deserved the highest praise.

"Glór na nGael is delighted to give it this recognition. Every year between 90 and 100 people attend Irish classes it organises at different levels.

"It organises Irish language weekends, fáinne presentations, Seachtain na Gaeilge, naíonra, music classes, workshops for teachers, presents scholarships and much more.

Second place in the Global Gaeilge awards was won by Coláiste na nGael in London, which received €5,250.

The Glór na nGael awards, with a prize fund of €150,000, are awarded annually to the local voluntary committees that do most to promote the Irish language.

Global Gaeilge, an international competition, was initiated in 2005 to give recognition to Irish language groups oversees.

The awards are used to offer scholarships to attend Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht where the language is in daily use by the local population.

The overall Glór na nGael national winner for 2007 is Ennis, County Clare, who received an award to the value of €50,000.