A full-time Irish Language Officer will take up duties for the first time in Dublin City University on September 17 (Monday).

Méabh Ní Loingsigh (25), from Glasnevin in Dublin, has been appointed to the position for three years.

She will be responsible for promoting Irish in the university, and for marketing the FIONTAR degree courses, which are taught through the medium of Irish.

'This appointment is a very positive sign for Irish', Méabh Ní Loingsigh said. 'I'm meeting people every day who want to practice their Irish and I hope I can provide that opportunity in DCU, for staff and students alike'.

With this aim in mind, Méabh Ní Loingsigh will be organising Irish classes at Dublin City University and she hopes 'that we'll also be able to encourage foreigners to learn the language'.

She intends to organise social and cultural events to allow people to use their Irish, and will be pushing for bilingual signage to be improved in order to increase the visibility of the language on campus.

Méabh Ní Loingsigh also takes responsibility for marketing the two Irish-medium business degree courses, FIONTAR.

'I'll be going around to schools and universities in order to attract even more students onto these degrees', she said.

Previously, Méabh Ní Loingsigh worked as an Irish teacher in Dublin and Cork and also taught English to adults in France.

Ends.

For further information please contact:

Méabh Ní Loingsigh, Irish Language Officer: 700.84.75
John Walsh, Lecturer with FIONTAR: 700.84.40
Caoilfhionn Nic Pháidin, Director, FIONTAR: 700.51.73

Beidh Oifigeach Gaeilge lánaimseartha ag dul i mbun dualgas den chéad uair in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath (DCU) ar 17 Meán Fomhair (Luan).

Ceapadh Méabh Ní Loingsigh (25), as Glas Naíon i mBaile Átha Cliath, don phost go cionn trí bliana.

Beidh sí freagrach as an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn sa choláiste, agus is í a bheidh i mbun margaíochta do chéimeanna FIONTAR, a reachtáiltear trí mheán na Gaeilge.

'Comhartha an-dearfach i leith na Gaeilge is ea an ceapachán seo', a deir Méabh Ní Loingsigh. 'Buailimse le daoine gach aon lá a bhíonn ag iarraidh a gcuid Gaeilge a chleachtadh agus tá súil agamsa an deis seo a chur ar fáil do mhuintir DCU, idir fhoireann agus mhic léinn'.

Chuige seo, beidh Méabh Ní Loingsigh ag reachtáil ranganna Gaeilge in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath agus tá súil aici 'go mbeimíd ábalta eachtrannaigh a mhealladh chun an teanga a fhoghlaim chomh maith'

Tá súil aici imeachtaí sóisialta agus cultúrtha a eagrú a chuirfeadh deis ar fáil an Ghaeilge a úsáid, agus beidh sí ag iarraidh go gcrochfar comharthaí dátheangacha sa choláiste chun feiceáltacht na teanga a mhéadú.

Glacfaidh sí freagracht chomh maith as margaíocht an dá chéim atá ag FIONTAR agus a reachtáiltear trí Ghaeilge.

'Beidh mé ag dul timpeall na scoileanna agus na hollscoileanna chun níos mó mac léinn fós a mhealladh chughainn', a deir Méabh Ní Loingsigh.

Roimhe seo, d'oibrigh Méabh Ní Loinsigh mar mhúinteoir Gaeilge i mBaile Átha Cliath agus i gCorcaigh agus mar mhúinteoir Béarla sa bhFrainc.

DEIREADH

Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil, glaoigh ar:

Méabh Ní Loingsigh, Oifigeach Gaeilge:700.84.75
John Walsh, Léachtóir le FIONTAR: 700.84.40
Caoilfhionn Nic Pháidín, Stiúrthóir FIONTAR: 700.51.73