Irish online dictonary, focal.ie, launched
- 18 October 2006

Dublin City University and The University of Wales in Lampeter are sharing their expertise developing on-line dictionaries for Irish and Welsh. The terminology website, focal.ie, records over 60,000 searches per month was launched on 20 September. It is one of the largest terminology databases in the world, combining over a quarter of a million Irish and English terms in one accessible site.

The project commenced in 2004, with €1.6 million in funding from Interreg and Foras na Gaeilge. The site content dates back to 1922 when the accumulation of Irish terminology started.

It will be widely used by people at home, in school and at work. This new website is aimed at home users as well as professionals.

There is huge potential for developing electronic resources for minority languages through international partnerships. Funding: The project cost €1.6 Million, the Irish strand amounting to €714,000 Parties involved: DCU, Foras na Gaeilge, University of Wales, HEA and TG4, Fiontar, the Department in DCU which provides Enterprise Education through the medium of Irish, managed the Project.

Project Team in Ireland: Dr. Caoilfhionn Nic Pháidín, Project Director; Donla uí Bhraonáin, Terminologist; Michal Boleslav Méchura, Technical Director; Úna Bhreathnach, Editor; Louise Smith, Editorial Assistant and Sinéad ní Chrualaoi, Administrator. Seven other staff worked on data input at various times.

Irish Terminolgy: Work commenced on Irish terminology in 1922 and has continued since. The results of all that work have now been combined on one website, achieving a high-technology image for Irish. This is a dynamic interactive resource which will continue to grow and will not become outdated. It can be updated and expanded as new technologies develop.

Only a fortnight ago FOCAL.IE was presented in the Italian city of Turin. Four members of the Irish project-team and one from Wales delivered two academic papers and gave a technical demonstration of Focal’s capabilities to an international forum of Lexicographers at the Euralex Conference.

For further information: On this project contact www.focal.ie About the launch on 20th September, ring Áine Ní Chiaráin 087 2587821 or 0949257548

ENDS