Press Release

Derry Set To Host Huge Irish Language Festival

Friday, 25 November 2005

Ireland’s largest Irish Language Festival, Oireachtas an Gaeilge, is to be held in Derry next year. It will be the first time in the festival’s history that Derry will host the five-day event, which is expected to bring 15,000 visitors to the city in November.

Welcoming delegates from across Ireland to the Guildhall earlier this week for the historic announcement, the Mayor, Councillor Lynn Fleming, spoke of her delight at the announcement.

She said: “Oireachtas is Ireland’s largest language festival and for many years Derry people have travelled to all parts of the country to attend. It is a great honour for our city and for its very active Irish-speaking community to be hosting this great event next year.

“My congratulations to the local committee and I am confident that they will help to ensure this will be a truly special occasion for all who come to the city next year. It will be a great opportunity for Irish-speakers in the community, especially the children attending the Gaelscoileanna, to attend and participate in the festivities,” she said.

The Mayor, urging everyone in the city to get involved in preparations for the festival called on members of the business community to support this event. “It is anticipated the event will bring approximately 15,000 people into the city.

“Above all this is a great opportunity for us to showcase the city as a place that is special on this island and as a place with a warm welcome to all who come here,” she concluded.

Ends

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